THIS 1,072-MILE TRAIN RIDE IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST SCENIC ROUTES—WITH HISTORIC CITIES, BEACH TOWNS, AND COASTAL VIEWS

If you love trains, you won't want to miss this one.

Key Points

• The Reunification Express travels 1,072 miles between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, passing historic cities, beaches, mountains, and coastal scenery.
• Travelers can break up the journey with stops in Huế, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and other destinations while staying in sleeper cabins for overnight segments.
• A new high-speed railway is planned to begin construction in 2027 and could replace the traditional long-distance journey by 2035.

There’s just something about trains.

Traveling by rail feels romantic in a way, with wheels chugging along as landscapes slowly pass you by. Plus, by climbing aboard a train, you allow yourself a stress-free way to reach a new destination without the hassle of going through an airport or all the fuss that comes with driving. And although you’ll find stunning routes across the U.S. and Europe, one of the world’s most beautiful and underrated train rides is in Vietnam. Enter: the North-South Railway.

Affectionately known as the Reunification Express since it connects northern and southern Vietnam, the 1,072-mile coastal route connects Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, taking passengers through some of Southeast Asia’s prettiest landscapes and cities. Six daily services run north and south between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Tickets are available through Vietnam Railways, or through third-party booking sites like Baolau that have English interfaces and international payment options. You’ll want to book early, as seats often sell out. 

The train departs Hanoi and, over the course of 30-plus hours, threads past Huế, Da Nang, and Nha Trang with stunning views of rice paddies and sea cliffs along the way before arriving in Ho Chi Minh City. Tickets are sold per leg, so you can ride overnight from Hanoi to Huế, spend a few days exploring the area, then continue south at your own pace. 

For overnight segments, four-berth cabins with air conditioning, mattresses, pillows, and a lockable door are more comfortable, while the six-berth hard sleepers are cheaper but more cramped. A hot meal trolley comes through at main mealtimes with classic Vietnamese dishes, and a snack cart also comes by throughout the day. There is no Wi-Fi on board, so you’ll need to pick up a local SIM card or make other arrangements if you want to stay connected.

However, the train ride may soon be replaced with a high-speed railway. Vietnam has approved a $67 billion high-speed railway project along the same corridor, designed to cut the full journey to five hours, with construction slated to begin in 2027 and completion targeted for 2035—so, board the Reunification Express while you still can.

Here’s what you need to know before riding Vietnam’s Reunification Express.

Hanoi

One of the route’s termini is Hanoi Station in Hoan Kiem District. If you can, plan a few days to explore the city before you board. Get lost in one of the Old Quarter’s 36 trade streets, take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, or watch a water puppet show at the Lotus Water Puppet Theater.

“The Old Quarter rewards slow walking,” says Duncan Greenfield-Turk, a Travel + Leisure A-List advisor and chief travel designer at Global Travel Moments. He also recommends stopping by Cha Ca La Vong at 14 Hang Son Street to try the grilled, turmeric-marinated catfish. “Add the Temple of Literature and end an evening at Hoan Kiem Lake when the lights come on.”

One of the most well-known stays in Hanoi is the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, a white French colonial building that sheltered Jane Fonda and Joan Baez in its underground bunker during the Christmas Bombings of 1972. “Parked outside are glorious French Citroëns from the 1920s, and you feel like you’re stepping back in time,” says Adam Sebba, CEO of London-based luxury travel company The Luminaire. 

For something more theatrical, Greenfield-Turk recommends Capella Hanoi, an opera-themed boutique hotel steps from the Hanoi Opera House. “It’s theatrical, deeply considered, and rooted in Vietnamese cultural history,” he says.

Huế

After an overnight train from Hanoi, you’ll find yourself in the former imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty, Huế.

“The Imperial City is an underrated treasure of Asia,” says Sebba. “The recent historical context of the severe fighting in Huế during the Vietnam War adds another layer of poignancy.” 

The Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits on the bank of the Perfume River. Inside, efforts are ongoing to restore the Forbidden Purple City. Take a half day for the royal tombs scattered in the forested hills south of the city. For something quieter, Greenfield-Turk suggests hiring a wooden sampan at dusk and drifting along the Perfume River. “The Perfume River is magical at sunset,” Sebba agrees.

Azerai La Résidence Huế, a 1930s art deco colonial mansion on the Perfume River, is recommended by both Sebba and Greenfield-Turk. After you rest up, hit the streets prepared to eat. Huế is Vietnam’s unofficial food capital. Bún bò Huế (a spicy lemongrass beef noodle soup), bánh khoái (crispy turmeric crepes), and cơm hến (tiny clams over rice) are must-try dishes here, and you can taste them all at the Dong Ba Market, the oldest traditional market in the city.

For a royal experience, Greenfield-Turk recommends Tinh Gia Vien, set within a private family home surrounded by bonsai gardens and a lotus pond. “This is royal Nguyen dynasty cuisine at its most personal,” he says.

Da Nang

The leg from Huế to Da Nang is only about 2.5 hours, but it is considered the prettiest section of the route thanks to the Hai Van Pass, a 13-mile climb over a mountain spine where the train hugs a cliff face above the South China Sea.

Da Nang itself is a fast-growing beach city with a long stretch of My Khe Beach. While in town, Greenfield-Turk recommends staying at the InterContinental Da Nang Sun Peninsula Resort, a clifftop property set above a private beach with dense forest surrounding it.

Most travelers use it as the jumping-off point to get to Hoi An, a UNESCO-listed ancient port town just 19 miles south. Hoi An doesn’t have a train station, so you’ll have to take a taxi or a Grab ride from Da Nang. Greenfield-Turk recommends making the drive at dusk and then arranging a private transfer to Hoi An to allow time to linger. “When the lanterns come on and the ancient town empties of day-trippers—that’s the moment,” he says. 

Hoi An is known for its street food, but you can try upscale versions of Vietnamese classics at the Michelin-starred La Maison 1888, which has scenic views of the bay. If you prefer to overnight in Hoi An, consider staying at Namia River Retreat—this is a wellness-focused property, and a 90-minute treatment is included in the nightly fee.

Nha Trang

The train from Da Nang to Nha Trang takes between seven and eight hours and follows the coast through Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh before arriving at Vietnam’s beach resort capital. Nha Trang’s six-kilometer strip is lined with hotels and seafood restaurants. While it’s certainly touristy, it’s a destination that knows how to do beach days well. For something off the main strip, Greenfield-Turk recommends hiring a private boat and exploring the offshore islands. 

“Hon Mun is excellent for snorkeling, and the captain will know where to find a good lunch,” he says.

Beyond the beach, visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers, a complex of Hindu temples built between the 7th and 12th centuries that’s still used for worship today. For lunch, Greenfield-Turk recommends Lac Canh, more than 40 years old, for its famous marinated beef cooked on a charcoal grill. Amiana Resort sits on a private hillside above its own beach outside the city center, a quieter alternative to other Nha Trang offerings.

Ho Chi Minh City

The final leg from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City takes roughly eight to nine hours, arriving at Saigon Station. The city center is only about a 30-minute Grab ride from the station. Vietnam’s largest city, Ho Chi Minh City, is a blend of French colonial architecture and glass-and-steel towers. 

A must-visit in the city is the War Remnants Museum, which documents the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective.

“Follow it with a half-day at Cu Chi Tunnels with a private guide,” says Greenfield-Turk. “The context makes a real difference to how you experience it.”  

While you’re in the city center, the Reunification Palace, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office are all within walking distance of one another. Greenfield-Turk suggests staying at the Park Hyatt Saigon to face the Opera House on Lam Son Square, since it’s “calm, graceful, and positioned perfectly in the centre of the city.”

Square One at the Park Hyatt, Michelin-recognized and serving French Vietnamese cuisine, is Greenfield-Turk’s pick for a final dinner on the route. For something more local, try the signature soup Pho Hoa on Pasteur Street, which has been served since 1968.

Best Time to Ride

Vietnam is a long, narrow country, spanning several climate zones, so travel conditions and the weather are rarely uniform along the whole route. For example, a sunny day in Nha Trang can turn into a stormy night in Huế. November through April is the most reliable window for the central and southern regions, with dry days and manageable heat. The north, with Hanoi and Ninh Binh, can be cool and misty from December through February—some travelers find it atmospheric, while others feel it’s gloomy. Avoid traveling around September and October, since that period is considered peak typhoon season.

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2026-07-05T15:18:07Z