How long is the train trip from Hanoi to Hoi An?

How long is the train from Hanoi to Hoi An?

No direct train, you see. That’s the brutal truth. Hanoi to Da Nang. Fifteen, seventeen hours, a blur of rice paddies flashing by. Always felt too long.

Then, Da Nang. A taxi. Thirty minutes, maybe less. The air heavy with the smell of the sea. Hoi An waits.

Total travel time? A solid sixteen hours, give or take.

It’s exhausting. I know this from experience. The train itself isn’t bad, but the transfers… they’re a killer. That’s the part I dread the most. You’re tired. The whole process is grueling.

Things I’ve learned, the hard way:

• Book tickets well in advance. Seriously. Don’t delay.
• Bring snacks. The train food isn’t always great. Trust me on this. I learned that the hard way in 2023.
• Pack light. Lugging bags around is no fun, especially after 16 hours.

The journey is long. Lonely even. But Hoi An… it’s worth it. Always is. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

How long to spend in Hoi An?

Three days… yeah, three days at least. Felt… longer when I was there. Lost in the lanterns. Everything glowed. February… that’s what they all say. February to April. But I was there in June. Rain. Every afternoon. Downpour. Remember… sitting on the little balcony, watching it fall. Tailor shop across the street. Still smells of the silk.

• Minimum 3 full days: Old Town, food, tailor. Basics.
• February to April: Best weather. Less rain. Supposedly.
• My trip: June. Rain. Loved it. Different. Quiet.
• Tailoring: Had a linen suit made. Beautiful. Still have it. Wear it sometimes. Makes me… remember the rain. The smell of the river. The heat.

Hoi An… quiet now in my memory. Three days… wasn’t enough.

Is the train system in Vietnam good?

Okay, so Vietnam trains, right? Forget those sleek bullet trains. This is different. Way different. I took the Reunification Express from Hanoi to Hue in 2023, a 16-hour trip. It was a crazy experience. Cheap, that’s for sure. Like, ridiculously cheap compared to flying. I paid around $25 for a sleeper cabin.

The train itself? Old, but clean enough. Seriously. I mean, it’s not a fancy European train. But my bed was comfy, air con worked, and surprisingly, the staff were awesome. Helpful, friendly, even spoke a little English.

The scenery was breathtaking. Seriously stunning. Rice paddies, mountains… I spent hours just staring out the window. This made the trip slow pace more than worth it. Much better than sitting in an airplane.

But, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Delays. Oh, the delays. We were late arriving in Hue. Nothing major, but expect that. And the food on the train… well, let’s just say I brought my own snacks. Didn’t wanna risk getting sick.

Efficient? I’d say so. Booking was super easy online. No hassles.

Overall, it was an adventure. A bit chaotic, a bit slow, but totally worth it for the experience and stunning views. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. The slow pace allowed me to fully absorb the landscape.

• Pros: Incredibly cheap. Comfortable sleeper cabins (at least mine was). Friendly staff. Amazing scenery. Easy booking.
• Cons: Delays are possible. Train food wasn’t great. Not high-speed.

Next time, maybe I’ll try the night train to Sapa. Heard it’s even more spectacular.

What is the fastest way to travel in Vietnam?

Planes. Fastest for Vietnam travel, no doubt. Especially helpful if your time’s limited. Think Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang—airports are everywhere. Well-connected too. Domestic and international. Saves so much time. Imagine a train journey, days maybe. Makes you appreciate air travel.

• Flights: Quickest option, covers long distances efficiently. My preferred method when visiting family in Hue from Hanoi. Skips traffic, too.

• Trains: Scenic, but slower. Good for shorter routes, like from Da Nang to Hoi An. Remember that time I took the train along the coast? Gorgeous but long.

• Buses: Cheapest. Reaches smaller towns. Not for long hauls. Last resort, really. Who has time?

• Motorbikes: Popular locally. Fun for exploring. Definitely not the fastest, even with Vietnam’s crazy traffic. Took me a week to get from Saigon to Mui Ne on a motorbike once. Never again.

High-speed rail is coming apparently. That’ll change things. Supposed to link Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Imagine. Could be faster than flying, considering airport transfers and waiting around. Who knows when it’ll actually finish, though. Infrastructure projects, right?