Among the many ways to travel in Vietnam, train travel, which allows you to leisurely experience the beautiful Vietnamese landscape, is one of the country's most analogical charms. I'd like to share my experiences of two train journeys with you.
1. Train from Nha Trang to Hanoi
나트랑에서 하노이까지는 비행기로 한 시간 50분 가량이 소요된다. 베트남에서 베트남으로 여행하는 건데, 기왕이면 더 아날로그적이며 찬찬히 베트남을 느낄 수 있는 방법을 찾다가 나트랑에서 하노이행 기차를 발견했다.
Train reservation sites and tickets
I searched the Internet to choose a train from Nha Trang to Hanoi, but I couldn't find any accurate information.
필자는 📍12GOI booked my train on a site run by a Singapore-based company called (I still wonder why I chose a Singapore-based company site to take a train to Vietnam.)
하지만, 직접 📍Vietnam train reservation siteThere is a way to go in and make a reservation, so I hope you use that method.
Once you've completed your reservation, you'll receive a QR code and a PDF file containing your train, cabin, and train schedule via the email address you provided. If you carefully examine your boarding pass (PDF file), you'll see detailed information about your boarding.
How to board
나트랑 역에서 탑승한다는 사실 말고는 아무런 정보가 없던 필자는 나트랑 역 am 4:26 열차를 타기 위해 am 3:40 쯤에 도착했다. 새벽이라서 여전히 어두웠지만, 많은 사람들이 역 대합실에서 열차시간을 기다리고 있었다.
While waiting in the station waiting room, they made an announcement once in Vietnamese and once in English, but it was difficult to understand clearly.
In my desperation, I had to grab the station attendant and show them my ticket to check if the train was right for me every time it came. I also had to get help from the station attendant to find out which of the three or four platforms I should stop on, without any precise information.
Train condition
My first impression of the train we were to board was that it reminded me of the "Galaxy Express 999" I'd seen as a child. The train was so old and worn that it looked more like it was meant to transport coal or goods than people.
열차를 처음 보고 필자에게 아들이 했던 말이 기억난다. “아빠, 이거 우리 기차 아닌 거 같아!” 믿고 싶지 않을만큼 낡은 기차였다. 열차 내부 또한 오래된 기차였고 화장실 컨디션도 청결하지 않았다.
가급적이면 화장실도 가고 싶지 않을 정도로 실망스러운 컨디션이었다.
하지만, 창가로 보이는 뷰는 30시간 동안 열차를 타는 내내 눈을 뗄 수 없을 정도로 신기하고 아름다웠다. 물론 무리였을 수 있으나, 창문이 조금 더 깨끗했다면 더 쾌적하게 베트남 곳곳을 감상할 수 있었을텐데 그것이 조금 아쉬움이 남았다.
Selling meals and snacks
Because it is a train that takes such a long time, when it is time to eat, people come and go selling snacks and meals on a simple cart, similar to those that would have been used on the old Tongilho or Mugunghwaho trains in Korea.
Since most items sold here cost between 20,000 and 40,000 dong, it had the advantage of being able to be purchased without any burden.
While I'd seen other trains with dining cars, ours didn't. We were only allowed to wait for a cart to arrive at our seats, purchase food, and eat it at our seats.
Therefore, the wisest way to ride this train is to purchase 30 hours' worth of snacks and meals in advance.
🎬 나트랑 ➡ 하노이 기차를 영상으로 확인하기👉 https://youtu.be/y2qzZ97QvlU?si=UjubIeBjjINMMfDX
2. Hanoi ➡ Train to Sapa
So, what about the train from Hanoi to Sapa? That might be the most up-to-date information. I've seen Koreans on other lines, but at least I didn't see any Koreans at the time I was leaving.
Train reservations and tickets
For this trip, I booked the train from Hanoi Station to Sapa through Klook.
If it had been a train-only course, such as from Nha Trang to Hanoi, I would have made a reservation directly through the railway, but I had to get off at Lao Cai Train Station and go further to Sapa, which is about 30km away.
When you book through Klook, you can even reserve a shuttle bus from Lao Cai Station to your hotel in Sapa. The driver will meet you at Lao Cai Station and you'll board the shuttle bus.
There are three types of trains that go to Sapa and Lao Cai train station, and we decided to take VICSAPA.
Hanoi Train Station is surprisingly large, so you may get lost in where to wait, but for tickets to Vic Sapa Train Station, you can wait in the waiting room on the first floor that says "VIP Room.".
If you show your reservation email, the staff will exchange it for a train ticket and guide you to the train car, providing a friendly explanation, making it convenient.
🔥현재 사파에서 하노이까지 가는 여행 초특가가 마이리얼트립에서 진행중no see. 이 기회를 놓치지 마세요!
- 🔥하노이 – 사파 (슬리핑 기차) 초특가로 구매하기 👉 https://myrealt.rip/O0Mu0e
- 🔥하노이 ↔ 사파 VIP 편도 슬리핑 버스 초특가로 구매하기 👉 https://myrealt.rip/O0NT31
- 🔥하노이 ↔ 사파 마을 데일리 편도 럭셔리 리무진 버스 초특가 구매👉 https://myrealt.rip/O0Nc75
Train condition to Sapa
I have already taken the Vietnam train from Nha Trang to Hanoi, so there are many comparisons to that train.
The train had the same feel, but the interior had been renovated and felt clean. When I entered the VIP 4-person sleeper car, there were snacks, water, wet tissues, a toothbrush, bananas, etc. prepared for me.
These freebies may seem like nothing special, but they were enough to make me feel very comfortable and like I was riding the train as a VIP.
The bathroom was very clean, the interior of the sleeping car had lights so it felt warmer, and the bed mattress was much thicker than the one on the train to Hanoi, making it a more comfortable cabin.
Lao Cai Train Station Bus Transfer
Upon arrival at Lao Cai Train Station, you'll encounter a staff member standing at the station holding your name. The system will then take you to a shuttle bus that will drop you off at your hotel.
However, the shuttle bus driver delivered some surprising news on the way to Sapa. I had arrived on September 1st, but September 2nd was Vietnam's national holiday, meaning there would be a lot of police and visitors, and he wouldn't be able to drop me off at my hotel.
각자 택시를 타고 호텔로 가라는 것이다. 필자는 세계여행 중이기에 짐도 많았을 뿐더러 사파는 그랩도 많지 않아서 잘 잡히지도 않는다. 실제로 주변에 있는 호객하는 택시기사들에게 물었지만, 너무 가까워서 그랬는지 걸어가야 한다는 투로 말을 했다.
필자와 가족은 약 2km 되는 호텔까지의 거리를 캐리어와 짐을 바리바리 들고 걸어가야 했다. 분명 호텔 앞까지 픽업을 해주기로 약속이 되어 있었는데 이런 불편함을 겪게되어 여행 시작부터 유쾌하지 않은 기분이 들었다.
따라서 정확하게 픽업 장소를 지정하고 탑승하는 것을 추천한다.
3. Pros and Cons of Two Train Travels
Train to Hanoi
- Enjoy the beauty of nature unfolding for 30 hours
- The train doesn't shake much
- You can feel the authentic Vietnamese atmosphere in every corner of the train.
- The train cabin is very comfortable
- The toilets and facilities are very old and poor.
Train to Sapa
- The train shakes a lot, which can cause motion sickness.
- The facilities are clean and comfortable
- Get off at Lao Cai Station and transfer to a shuttle or bus to get to Sapa.
- Because I'm taking the train at night, I can't see the surroundings.
4. Opinions on Vietnam train travel
If there's one trip that best captures the essence of Vietnam, it's a train journey. The beautiful natural scenery and the historical train rides offer a glimpse into the lives of the Vietnamese people, a journey that embodies life itself.
If you want to experience the real Vietnam, I recommend taking a train ride. It's one of the few opportunities you can have deep conversations with your family, surrounded by beautiful scenery, while holding your breath for over 30 hours.
Especially if you haven't been to Sapa, I highly recommend going when Vietnam is less busy.
🎬 사파 여행 생생한 영상으로 보기👉 https://youtu.be/NuBZA0sf_dk?si=etasVlHWTeDtD7DX
