Can you take a train from Da Nang to Hanoi?

Why is Train Street closed in Hanoi?

Hanoi. October 2023. Sun blazing. Sweaty. Looking for that damn train street. TripAdvisor said it was the place. Nope. Shut down. Shop owners milling about. Pissed. They lost everything. Tourist trap, sure, but their livelihood. Remember seeing pics online. Crazy close to the tracks. Coffee cups rattling. Felt kinda dangerous even in photos. Now, barricades. Empty. Eerie. Phở place down the street. Owner told me. Too many close calls. Selfie sticks and steaming bowls of noodles didn’t mix. Government stepped in. Safety first, I guess. Sucks for the businesses though. Phở was good. Extra lime. No trains roaring past. Disappointed. But understood.

• Train Street officially closed September 2022.
• Safety concerns led to closure. Tourists too close to the tracks.
• Businesses along the tracks forced to relocate.
• Area now barricaded. No access.
• Still some businesses open nearby.
• October 2023 – Area still closed. No sign of reopening.

Went back in November 2023. Same same. Closed.

How do I get from Hanoi to Da Nang?

Ah, Hanoi to Da Nang, eh? Brave soul!

Let’s just say it’s not exactly a Sunday stroll. We’re talking 767 kilometers, give or take a rogue water buffalo, from Hanoi to Da Nang! 16 hours by car? Bless your heart, you’ll need more than strong coffee.

Think of it as a quest! Only instead of a dragon, you’re battling… boredom.

• Road Trip: 16 hours in a car. By hour 8, even your playlists will betray you. Bring snacks, and possibly a therapist for the post-trip existential crisis.

• Train Ride: Supposedly scenic. Also, supposedly punctual. Let’s just say Vietnamese railways operate on “island time.” I’m kidding… mostly. Bring a book!

• Fly like a bird: Look up, there is a sky! Skip all the road drama and fly. It’s faster.

Which reminds me of that time I took a bus to Sapa and the chicken hitched a ride on my head. Long story.

• Train Distance: Railway routes, intricate and sprawling. Trains chug along, day and night.

  • Scenic routes? Perhaps.
  • Romantic getaways? Possibly not.
  • Adventurous journeys? Certainly.

Think of it. You know, kind of like a very long bus ride. Without the chicken on your head. Probably. And how far? 767 Kilometers, give or take an existential crisis.

How many days should I stay in Da Nang?

Da Nang? Two days. Maybe three, if you’re easily amused. Like, really easily amused. I kid, I kid!

It’s like asking how long to spend with a delightful, slightly chaotic aunt. Short visit? You get the highlights. Longer? You start hearing stories. Buckle up.

• Two days: Hit the highlights! Beach, Marble Mountains, maybe the Dragon Bridge. Quick and dirty, like espresso.
• Three days: Okay, now we’re talking. Time for Bà Nà Hills’ Golden Bridge (Instagram, prepare!), some local eats, and a slightly embarrassing attempt at surfing. Speaking of eats, get some mì quảng. Seriously. Do it.
• More than three days: Well, aren’t you fancy? Day trips to Hoi An or My Son. Explore the less touristy beaches. Perfect if you enjoy contemplating life while sipping overly sweet Vietnamese coffee. I mean, who doesn’t?

Honestly, it’s like deciding how much cheese is too much. Can there really be too much? I think not. (Unless you’re lactose intolerant, obviously. Then, you know, boundaries). Personally, I spent a week there once. I got a rash from something, I don’t remember what, but hey, memories!

What is there to do in Da Nang solo?

Da Nang solo? Piece of cake! Forget boring museums, you’ll be too busy dodging rogue scooters.

My Khe Beach: Think sunburns the size of small countries and ridiculously tanned tourists. Seriously, it’s like a sunbathing competition for baked potatoes.

Marble Mountains: Climbing those things is like scaling a giant, slightly crumbly wedding cake. Stunning views, though. Unless you’re afraid of heights. Then it’s terrifying. My uncle, bless his cotton socks, nearly had a heart attack.

Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge: This place is bonkers. Think Disneyland meets a cloud. Seriously, it’s like they threw a whole bunch of cash at a mountain and said, “Make it fancy!” The Golden Bridge? Looks like a giant hand holding a giant, gold baguette.

Dragon Bridge: Weekends only, you’ll see that fire-breathing lizard show. It’s like a less-scary version of a dragon attack. My friend, Sarah, got sprayed by some rogue water. She wasn’t impressed, but I found it hilarious.

Food: Oh my sweet Buddha, the food. Expect amazing, cheap eats. I once ate a bowl of pho so good, I cried. Not kidding. Actually, I cried twice. Once because it was delicious, once because I was slightly sunburnt.

Things to know:

• Scooters: Learn to dodge them like Neo in The Matrix. Seriously. It’s a survival skill.
• Sunburn: Pack industrial-strength sunscreen. Trust me on this one. I learned the hard way. Still peeling a bit from my 2023 trip, actually.
• Bargaining: Don’t be afraid to haggle. You can get some serious deals. Especially at the night market – it’s a madhouse. My best haggle? A handcrafted fan. I paid like, 2 bucks.
• Street food: It’s a delicious, slightly risky adventure. My stomach is still recovering from my last trip (kidding… mostly).