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Vietnam
Train Information
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Victoria Express
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Train Schedules
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Other Trains to Sapa
VIETNAM RAILWAY
Vietnam Railways
came into being with the construction of the first railway route
between Saigon and Mytho in 1881. Four years later, the first
train ran from Saigon to Mytho on 20 July,1885.
In 1882 - 1936 period, one meter-gauge French-based technology
was constructed and main railway network was formed. During the
two wars against French and American, Vietnam railway network
was seriously damaged. After the final liberation of the South,
since 1976, with great support of China and Soviet Union and
other country in Eastern Block, Vietnam railway network has been
much rehabilitated, especially on North - South railway route.
Since the implementation of total reform in 1989, Vietnam
Railways sector has upgraded and modernized railway network so
that railway sector becomes a leading transport sector in
Vietnam, positively contributes to the economic growth of the
country and integrates into Asian railway.
With more than 2600
km along the coastline, Vietnam railway network is like a soft
silky band stretching all through the length of the nation,
crossing immense rice fields, boundless primitive forests,
unique ethnic villages which are still marked with wild
features, very white sand stripes seeming endless of the Central
coast line with all year round wind blowing and excessive golden
sunshine together with ancient Cham towers lying quietly with
the time.
Most tourists traveling to Vietnam utilize train as the main
means of transportation. A pleasant train trip offers travelers
not only a chance to enjoy the beautiful landscape with an
overview of Vietnam but also the chance to interact with local
Vietnamese, "the friendliest people you have never met in your
life". (Lonely Planet Guide to Vietnam)
Vietnamese
trains have seven types of accommodation:
Soft class
4-berth sleepers - air-conditioned
Soft class
4-berth sleepers - without air-conditioning
Hard class
6-berth sleepers - air-conditioned
Hard class
6-berth sleepers - without air-conditioning
Air-conditioned soft class reclining seats
Ordinary
soft class seats
Hard class
seats
The best and
fastest train in Vietnam is train E1 (Southbound) / E2
(Northbound) introduced in 2002 (pictured above - photo courtesy
of Willy Kaemena). This train uses the most modern rolling
stock, with large picture windows unobstructed by the wire mesh
that protects most other trains' windows from stones. Choose
this train if you can, but it's proving very popular, and it's
often difficult to get berths on unless you book well in
advance.
The second best
train in Vietnam is train S1 (Southbound) / S2 (Northbound),
pictured below left. The S1/S2 coaches are all refurbished and
painted red whereas most other Vietnamese trains are green. The
next best train is the S3 / S4. Each of these trains has a full
range of classes of accommodation. Other trains generally use
rolling stock that is much older.
TOURIST ITINERARIES
This list features
some train itineraries that most travelers take wile traveling
in Vietnam.
HANOI
- HUE-HANOI***
HANOI
- DANANG-HANOI***
DANANG
- NHATRANG - DANANG
DANANG -
HOCHIMINH CITY - DANANG***
NHATRANG-HOCHIMINH
CITY-NHATRANG***
HANOI
- HOCHIMINH CITY - HANOI ***
HANOI
- SAPA - HANOI
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