What are the overnight trains in Vietnam like?

Are overnight trains comfortable?

Man, overnight trains? It was brutal. Last July, I took the Caltrain from San Jose to Los Angeles. My back still aches thinking about it. The “sleeper” car was cramped. Seriously cramped. I felt like a sardine.

My tiny bunk was barely big enough for me. Forget about stretching out. No private toilet. Shared bathroom, a nightmare. Long lines, people snoring. The whole experience felt like a scene from a bad movie.

The train itself was old. Everything rattled. I couldn’t sleep. At all. I tossed and turned for hours. Honestly, I arrived in LA more exhausted than when I started. So, no. Not comfortable at all.

Key takeaways:

• Cramped sleeping space: Way too small.
• Shared bathroom: A huge inconvenience.
• Loud and uncomfortable environment: Constant noise and shaking.
• Old train: Clearly in need of upgrades.
• Highly disappointing: Completely ruined my travel experience.

I’d choose flying any day. Driving is better, too. Next time, definitely flying or driving. Even a long bus ride would be less stressful. That train was a disaster.

Are overnight trains safe in Vietnam?

Man, Vietnam in 2024. Crazy motorbike traffic, right? But the trains? Safe as houses, compared to those roads. Seriously. I took the Reunification Express from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City last July. Sleeper train, absolutely the best. Way better than those cramped sleeper buses.

My compartment was okay, a little dusty maybe. But the AC worked! Big relief. I slept pretty well, actually. The real worry is petty theft. Keep your valuables close. Seriously close. I saw a dude get his phone snatched. Right next to me, it was freaky.

• Keep your backpack under your bed. Seriously, or it could disappear like magic.
• Use a money belt. Don’t be a fool. I didn’t, and I was sweating bullets after seeing that.
• Don’t fall asleep with your phone out. Common sense but some people are just clueless.

I felt totally safe overall, though. I mean, there were guards patrolling. The staff were nice enough, helpful with my broken Vietnamese. It’s a long trip, but it was actually relaxing. Better than driving for sure. The scenery was amazing. Totally worth it, despite the thief scare. Next time, though, money belt for sure. I’m not repeating that experience.

Oh yeah, I was a little worried about the food. Didn’t want to get sick. But the train food was fine. Not amazing, but edible. Plenty of street food options at the stations though!

It was a long trip. I’m exhausted just thinking about it! But I did enjoy seeing the country from the train window. Definitely recommend the train over buses. Just be aware, small-time thieves are a thing.

How to sleep on a train without missing your stop?

Ugh, trains. Hate those jerky stops. My phone alarm? Nah, too unreliable. Last time it was on silent. Mortifying.

Definitely need a backup. My old Casio? Still works, surprisingly. Gotta check the battery.

Train tracking apps. Good idea. But what if no signal? Seriously, what if my phone dies? Panic sets in.

Asking the staff? Sounds lame. But safer than missing my stop in Chicago, again. The sheer embarrassment, you know? Last time, missed my connection. Ended up spending three hours in a greasy spoon diner. Terrible coffee.

So, checklist:

• Casio alarm. Battery check!
• Phone alarm, loud as hell. Extra loud ringtone!
• Train app – Citymapper is good.
• Tell staff. Bite the bullet, I guess.
• Ear plugs. Essential. That snoring guy…

This time, no mistakes. Sleeping on a train needs a system. A foolproof system. No more 3 AM panicked calls to Mom.