The trip on the Reunification Express train which starts from the southern city to the Capital city of Hanoi was today marked as the beginning of a long held dream. This journey was on my list of travel destinations for a long time. It was part of my travel plans as I always imagined myself gliding through the picturesque terrains of Vietnam, the green rice paddies, towering mountains, and the beautiful coastline. The sound of the wheels rotating gave me goosebumps as I entered the train. I always felt like a story is yet to be told. I could not image that this ride was going to provide me not only with the view of the beautiful Vietnam but also with the feeling of the warm and welcoming Vietnamese people. Starting with Ho Chi Minh City most popularly known as Saigon is a city in Vietnam. The geography of this city is very much defined by rivers and canals. This city is the center of economy, education and entertainment. Ho Chi Minh has the busiest transportation hub in Vietnam. This city offers different means of transportation to travel from one city to another like Air way, Train, Busses or Taxi etc.
Here’s how you can make your next travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi more comfortable, budget friendly and entertaining using Reunification Express.
Booking Tickets
The first thing I did was to book the tickets for the journey. There are many online websites or agents such as 12Go Asia or Vietnam railway website that you can choose from. These platforms made it easy for me to compare the price for my travel according to my budget. You can also purchase the tickets at the train stations or travel agents operating within Vietnam. Reunification Express offered wide list of classes to choose from. After my booking was confirmed, I received an electronic ticket in my mailbox, which can be printed or can be displayed on your mobile phone.
Choose the seating class.
The Reunification Express consists of three classes Soft Sleeper, Hard sleeper and Hard Seat.
Soft Sleeper: I preferred Soft Sleeper because it was one of the most comfortable option with full air conditioned cabins which could accommodate 4 people in one cabin. As the journey takes about 30 hours being comfortable and having some privacy was my upmost priority. Every berth comes with a mattress, pillow, and blanket. There is also a small table and a reading light in the cabin. It was the most expensive class, but I would not complaint because it was really comfortable. The price range is about $60 – $80 USD (around 1,400,000 – 1,900,000 VND) Vietnamese Dong for a one way ticket to Hanoi.
Hard Sleeper: The hard sleeper class had an open compartment with sleeping bunks which could accommodate up to 6 passengers in each compartment. It was placed in three levels on each side of the cabin which was one above the other with berths on each side. I was a little skeptical about choosing this class because of the less privacy as this compartment carried 6 people but the berth was almost as good as the Soft Sleeper. It also had the air-conditioner with a blanket and pillow. This sleeper costs about $50 – $65 USD (around 1,150,000 – 1,500,000 VND) Vietnamese Dong. If it wasn’t for the privacy I would have definitely choose Hard Sleeper as it was comfortable and budget friendly.
Hard Seat: This particular class was the cheapest of all the classes where the seats were fixed like similar to those in an ordinary bus. The seats were not very comfortable and less padded in comparison to Soft and Hard Sleeper. This compartment can accommodate about 80 passengers that is why it is super crowded and you could have the least amount of privacy and comfort. Although it is less comfortable it is very popular due to its price and economical option for long distance travel. Its price range is about $25 – $35 USD (around 600,000 – 850,000 VND) Vietnamese Dong. If you plan to save up your money and if you are ok with the bit of discomfort then you can choose this option to travel to Hanoi.
Observing The Iconic Scenic Routes
Once the journey started the train journey ran through the Mekong Delta region. I watched out of the window and there were beautiful paddy field which was so green and mesmerizing. The view was flat and I saw many canals and boats on the river.
As we moved closer north, the whole flat field gradually turned into hilly ground with lush forest. The air quality seemed much more pure and I also noticed some small cute villages on the hills. It was a peaceful experience compared to the bustling city environment that I was familiar with.
For me, the most memorable part of the journey was the crossing of the Annamite Range often referred to as the Truong Son Range. They also changed the direction of the tracks often there to go around steep mountains, which provided the best view. I saw mountains, valleys, and overgrown forests. Sometimes, the fog would appear, and the mountains started to look like something out of a movie it was truly stunning.
Then we arrived at the coastal regions near Da Nang. The train makes several stops along the way. Here I tasted a local noodle dish Mi Quang. It was packed with flavor, herbs and meat. I highly recommend to try this dish. Moving on crossing the Hai Van Pass was the most thrilling and exciting part of this section for me. When the train reached the top of the pass, on one side I found the endless sea and on the other side, the never-ending mountains.
The next stop was hue it is an incredible city full of history. I could witness so many temples on the bank of the Perfume River. I was able to experience and observe these historical sites thinking about the imperial life of the city. I was recommended by so many people to try Bun Bo Hue a traditional beef noodle soup in Hue and I kid you not it was perfect in every way.
And finally as we get to the capital city the large field slowly starts turning into concrete building. There were crowded roads with motorbike, old buildings, and the colorful area known as old town. Slowly transitioning from country side to the city side a whole another world to explore.
Here are some of the thing you can do to entertain yourself on your 30 hours ride.
1. Make your play list: I prepared some music that I like to listen to and downloaded a couple of podcasts and audiobooks before the trip. Finally, as the train departed from Ho Chi Minh City, I sat down and put my headphones on. The music and stories perfectly fit the scenery. Listing to music and watching those mesmerizing views complemented each other very well.
2. Packing Snacks and Drinks: The train ride was more than 30 hours and I am a huge foodie so, I didn’t forget to carry snacks and drinks fresh fruits, nuts, chips and instant coffee. It’s so amazing to have something to munch on whenever you feel like. There was a diner on the train, but I had my own food which was more comfortable to me and I could eat whenever I wanted. Beside that drinking lot of water is a must or you may get dehydrated while traveling.
3. Read Books: I also took some books which I intended to read time to time on my ride. I feel like reading is very therapeutic and time goes on very fast and you won’t even notice. I even took few notes in my diary when I saw some scenes from the window while reading.
4. Playing Games: I went with a couple of friends so we took along some compact games suitable for the trip. We had card games and some travel-sized board games to complete several rounds of play. It was a good way to occasionally divert the attention and have some fun.
As I look back at my experience on the Reunification Express, I understood it is not just a train travel, but I was given the chance to see Vietnam. Every stop gave me a taste of new foods and cultural practices that also made me appreciate the artistic canvas of nature that I witnessed during my journey. From people laughing together with other travelers to moments of simply watching the trees passing by the window, this was more than I could have imagined. If you are thinking of undertaking this famous trail, I want to strongly recommend this trip to you. The Reunification Express is not just a means to travel from one station to another; it is about celebrating the spirit of Vietnam, one gorgeous mile after another.
