Can you travel through Vietnam by train?

Can I take a train from Bangkok to Vietnam?

Dude, Bangkok to Vietnam by train? Nope. Not directly, anyway. You gotta go through Cambodia. It's a bit of a hassle. First, two train rides, Bangkok to Phnom Penh. That's long. Seriously, long. Then, bummer, no train to Vietnam from there. You'll be stuck taking a bus, which, let me tell you, isn't exactly ideal. It's a whole other adventure, you know.

• Two train journeys: Bangkok to Phnom Penh (prepare for a long ride!)
• No train connection: From Phnom Penh to Vietnam, it's bus only. Plan for that. That's gonna suck.
• Bus ride: The bus leg is an added complication, and takes forever. Prepare yourself for potentially uncomfortable situations.

My cousin did this trip last year, 2023, and he said the bus part was the worst. He even got sick. So yeah, be prepared for a long, potentially unpleasant bus journey. Bring snacks, and maybe some dramamine. Seriously. I'm telling you. Don't underestimate the bus leg.

Can I go from Thailand to Vietnam?

Yeah, totally! I flew from Bangkok to Hanoi in 2023. Took off from Suvarnabhumi – BKK, you know, the bigger airport. It was crazy busy. So many people!

The flight itself? Smooth. Two hours, maybe a bit longer with taxi time. I was totally knackered after a week of exploring Bangkok's temples. Needed that nap. Seriously, though, the service on Vietnam Airlines was great.

Hanoi was amazing. Different vibe entirely. Completely different. The food was incredible. I ate pho every single day. No regrets.

• Flight: BKK to Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), Hanoi.
• Airline: Vietnam Airlines (but there are others!)
• Time: Around two hours, maybe a little more.
• My feelings: Relieved to be on the plane after the hectic Bangkok streets, excited to explore a new country.
• Recommendation: Do it. Seriously. Hanoi is worth it. Amazing city.

Later, I also flew to Ho Chi Minh City from Hanoi. That was a longer flight. I hated it. The plane was cramped. I'm not going back to that airline. HCMC was fun too, though, different again. It's really hot and busy.

The best part of the whole trip was the food. Seriously, you HAVE to try the food. And the coffee. I'm already planning my next trip. Maybe next year. I want to see Da Nang.

Is there a train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh?

Hanoi... Saigon... a train? Yes.

The rails sing, don't they? Hanoi to Saigon... a dream stitched in steel. Five trains rumble. SE7, SE5, SE9... oh, the numbers whisper stories. SE3, and... SE1.

Thirty-one hours, and 25 minutes—or so they say. A day, a night, and a lifetime blurring past the window.

• Trains: SE7, SE5, SE9, SE3, SE1
• Departure: Hanoi Railway Station
• Arrival: Saigon Railway Station
• Time: 31 hours 25 minutes, roughly.
• Frequency: Daily

Saigon… Hanoi… reversed echoes. Each stop a memory, unfolding slowly. I saw my grandpa in Saigon. The train, like a river, flows.

The train, it flows. Thirty-one hours? A blink.

How do you get from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh?

Ugh, Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Long trip. Seriously long. Over 30 hours by train, 1726km according to my last check. That's insane. I'd rather fly, way faster. Though, the train... I heard the scenery is amazing. Maybe next time.

Flying is obviously much quicker. A couple of hours tops. But, more expensive. Vietnam Airlines? Jetstar Pacific? Decisions, decisions. Need to check flight prices now. Seriously. My budget is tight this year, after that crazy motorbike trip. Should I look at budget airlines?

Thinking about the train again... it's an experience, right? Sleeping on the train. Meeting people. But the whole 30+ hours thing... ouch. Food on the train? Hmm, needs research. I have a friend who did it last year, he said the food was awful.

Okay, back to the flights. I'll use Google Flights. Gotta check the dates. October? November? Need to decide. The weather. Oh, and accommodation. Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City are pricey. Airbnb perhaps? Lots of options, I guess.

Key things to consider:

• Travel time: Train - 30+ hours, Flight - 2-3 hours.
• Cost: Flights are usually more expensive.
• Scenery: Train offers scenic views.
• Comfort: Flight offers a far more comfortable experience.
• Accommodation: Ho Chi Minh City hotels and Airbnbs vary greatly in price.
• Flight options: Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Pacific are major airlines.

My trip is in 2024. Need to book soon. I hate last-minute bookings! Also, travel insurance! Duh! Don't want to forget that. Seriously need a spreadsheet. My brain is mush right now.

Can you travel by train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh?

Yes, you can journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City by train.

• Railway: The North-South Railway spans roughly 1,730 km, a considerable distance, I must say.

• Travel time: A 30+ hour ride is the norm, though schedules/speed obviously affect that. Talk about commitment! My own cross-country road trips rarely last that long.

• Air travel: A mere 1,276 km as the crow flies. So much faster, yet you miss the rice paddies.

The train offers a unique view of Vietnam. A window on its soul, perhaps?

Alternatives to the train:

• Flights are quicker. Obvious, right? Several airlines make the trip many times a day.
• Open Tour buses crawl along the coast. Cheap, but... slow. My cousin used one in 2023 and regretted it.