There is a railway that doesn't just connect two cities, but bridges the past and present of an entire nation. Stretching from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south, the Vietnam Reunification Express Train Tour is more than a means of transportation—it is Vietnam's beating artery, pulsing with stories, heritage, and the rhythm of everyday life.
World's Best Train Journey 2025
In 2025, the Vietnam Reunification Express Train Tour earned global recognition when Lonely Planet named it the “World’s Best Train Journey” in their list of 24 most amazing train adventures. Described as one of the most epic overnight rail rides globally, the journey was celebrated for its stunning coastal views, cultural depth, and nostalgic ambiance as it snakes through historic cities and breathtaking landscapes. This honor has placed Vietnam’s railway heritage firmly on the international travel radar.
The Soul Behind the Tracks
Named to commemorate the reunification of Vietnam after the war, this iconic train traverses 1,726 kilometers of coastlines, farmlands, bustling cities, and sleepy towns. It rolls through the backbone of a country that has endured, evolved, and emerged with pride. For international travelers, the Vietnam Reunification Express Train Tour is an open invitation to witness Vietnam not from the lens of tourism alone, but from the moving window of its soul.
Embracing Slow Travel
Riding the Vietnam Reunification Express Train Tour is not about speed. In fact, it takes over 30 hours to complete the journey. But that is precisely its charm. This is slow travel at its most profound. You don't simply go from point A to point B. You journey through time, you feel the land, you hear the whispers of history at every station, and you observe the lives of Vietnamese people unfolding in real time.
From Hanoi to Saigon: A Moving Mosaic
Departing from the colonial elegance of Hanoi, the train lumbers past rice paddies where farmers in conical hats bend like reeds. Children wave from village roads. Grandmothers with silver hair share snacks in the cabins. As the train glides past ancient citadels, imperial relics, and sandy bays, you are not a bystander but a participant in a national story that spans centuries.
The Legendary Hai Van Pass
There is perhaps no greater moment on this route than when the train curls around the Hai Van Pass. The ocean below, the mountains above, the mist, the movement—it's a cinematic symphony of nature and legacy. This very section has been called one of the most beautiful railway stretches in the world. To ride it is to understand why Vietnamese poetry is so filled with images of clouds, sea, and longing.
Culinary Moments on the Move
Meals on board are simple but soulful. A hot bowl of pho, a bite of sticky rice with sesame and salt, a cup of green tea poured with care—each is a reminder that in Vietnam, hospitality is not an industry but a way of life. Travelers on the Vietnam Reunification Express Train Tour find themselves chatting with locals, sharing travel tips, swapping stories, or simply watching the landscape shift from green to golden as the sun sets over central Vietnam.
Cultural Capitals Along the Line
Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon—these are not just stops on a route, they are chapters in Vietnam’s cultural book. In Hue, echoes of the Nguyen dynasty still linger in royal tombs. In Da Nang, a modern city hums beside marble mountains steeped in legend. Nha Trang offers sea breezes and salt in the air, while Quy Nhon remains a hidden gem of tranquility. And all the while, the train keeps moving, faithfully delivering its passengers to the next page of discovery.
Facts About the Vietnam Reunification Express Train
- Distance: 1,726 kilometers (Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City)
- Duration: Approx. 32 to 35 hours depending on the train
- Trains: SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7 (Express options with soft sleepers)
- Stops: Over 20 cities and provinces including Vinh, Dong Hoi, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and more
- Scenic highlights: Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Bay, rice paddies of central Vietnam, and Mekong-adjacent plains
- Amenities: Air-conditioned soft sleepers, on-board dining carts, charging ports in some cabins
A Journey Worth Every Minute
To take this train is to acknowledge the value of the journey itself. It demands patience but rewards deeply. It teaches you that Vietnam is not just about must-see sites, but about moments: the soft smile of a vendor at a rural station, the scent of rain on red earth, the way time slows down when the sea appears outside your window.
Why the Vietnam Reunification Express Train Tour Is Different
The Vietnam Reunification Express Train Tour is a cultural experience that no modern transport can replicate. It hums with the sound of tradition, resilience, and everyday beauty. It is a pilgrimage for the curious, the nostalgic, and the seekers of authenticity.
Travel Deeper with Vietnam Local Tour Operators
At Viet Vision Travel, we craft immersive itineraries along this route, offering travelers the chance to combine train travel with guided local experiences, curated homestays, and heritage-rich excursions. As one of the leading vietnam local tour operators, we believe that to travel is not just to visit, but to understand.
Ready to Ride the Rails?
If your heart beats for history, culture, and stories told through movement, the Vietnam Reunification Express Train Tour awaits. Board not just a train, but a tribute to Vietnam’s journey—past, present, and future.
Let the tracks guide you home.
