Vietnam Rail offers straightforward and hassle-free online booking of train tickets with 12Gо. Other travellers’ reviews will help you plan the route and choose the ticket class that suits you best. Take a train to give your journey an old-school flavour with an overnight long-haul sleeper or add a super modern twist by jumping on a highspeed express that will reach your destination in a whisk. Railway travel is always full of character and emotions. Mingle with fellow passengers or opt for a private high-end compartment. Vietnam Rail offers a bunch of choices to make your experience unforgettable and enjoyable. Be sure to double-check the date of your travel, fare, type of your ticket, and other conditions and restrictions before you confirm your booking.
Vietnam Rail Popular Stations
Vietnam Rail’s route map features the following stations:
Da Nang
Quang Ngai
Tuy Hoa
Mau A
Cho Sy
Di An
Dong Ha
Viet Tri
Minh Le
Dong Le
Van Gia
My Duc
Long Bien
Binh Thuan
Nha Trang
Da Lat
Bao Ha
Cam Giang
Trai Hut
Song Mao
Quy Nhon
Ninh Binh
Hai Duong
Nam Dinh
Tam Ky
Phu Ly
Sapa Lao Cai
Thuong Ly
Dong Anh
Thap Cham
Bim Son
Yen Vien
Pho Lu
La Hai
Hue
Yen Vien
Minh Khoi
Hai Phong
Bim Son
Huong Pho
Yen Bai
Yen Trung
Gia Lam
Tra Kieu
Dong Hoi
My Trach
Bong Son
Hanoi
Phu Tho
Long Khanh
Ninh Hoa
Nui Thanh
Phan Thiet Train Station
Ho Chi Minh City
Trai Mat
Phu Thai
Phan Thiet
Thanh Hoa
Phuc Yen
Vinh Yen
Bong Son
Dong Ha
Bien Hoa
Dieu Tri
Vinh
Nam Dinh
Suoi Kiet
Duc Pho
Lang Khay
Lang Co
Vietnam Rail Top Destinations
Here is the list of routes covered by Vietnam Rail which are always in high demand with the travellers:
To get most of your train ride to choose the class of your ticket wisely. Consider the length of your trip, the time of the day, and your own preferences. For longer travels by night, first or second-class tickets in a sleeper coach might be the best solution. Both options allow you to sleep your night away as comfortably as it gets on a train and save the precious daytime of your vacation. Note that sometimes first-class tickets cannot be booked for short couple-of-hours trips on a longer itinerary. They are often reserved for travellers who cover the whole route from departure to the terminal station. Yet second-class sleepers of sometimes soft seats are a decent alternative if 4-5 hours bring you to your point B. Check what is included in the price. Linen and towels may or may not be provided for overnight trips as water, snacks, or toiletries. It is always a good idea to bring some layers on board as air-conditioning or heating may fail to meet your standards.
Travel by Train: Pros & Cons
Pros of Train Travel
Railway travel is an ideal solution to beat traffic. While delays are sometimes possible for various reasons, in general, neither rush-hour, long weekends nor high season fever will ruin your timing with railways.
Online booking of railway tickets saves you a lot of time. For many destinations, tickets can be booked as long as 90 days before your travel date which brings planning to a new level. Yet last-minute deals are often available, too. There is no need to go to the train station to book either – do it wherever you want.
In many cases, train tickets are much more affordable than air tickets. On certain routes, the length of travel by high-speed trains equals or even beats air travel if you consider the time you spend in the airport for check-in and going through security and/or customs formalities.
Very often, railway stations are located in the center of the city. It saves you a lot of time to reach your accommodation. Older railway stations often have the added bonus of being super atmospheric occupying historical buildings. Travelling to/from such stations can be considered a worthy point of your whole travel plan.
Besides saving you daytime for other more enjoyable things, a night on a train is a good way to cut your hotel expenses. If it is a sleeper you opt for, you may expect to sleep quite well, too. Well, better than on a sleeper bus for sure!
There are luxury trains serving some routes, and it is definitely an experience to try at least once in your life.
Cons of Train Travel
The longer the distance – the longer the train ride, and if you have to cover a considerable mileage, it will be very time-consuming. So sometimes air travel is a better alternative even if costlier.
Connections with your onward transport should be planned with extra care. Though the timetables are normally set, delays and cancellations are always possible due to a variety of reasons. Another thing to consider is the location of the station where your train arrives or departs from. There is more than one train station in certain cities and locations, which sometimes causes confusion.
One of the most common complaints about trains on certain routes is cleanliness. It mostly concerns the cheapest class coaches and toilets.
Stops are not always clearly announced or marked during some train trips. Electronic screens do solve this issue easily but are not present everywhere. So ensure you track your stop with GPS or just ask a conductor if any.
Too expensive for the service, the manager of the wagon was pushing for us to spend more to get a cabin private (we were in a 4 seats/dormitory) compartment i believe he was looking for cah for himself, bossing around on every move we made. compartment was too cold with non possible control of temperature, just less power or more power… restaurant tables were dirty…really bot the experience we were looking for
The bed was very uncomfortable and felt as hard as concrete or wood. The ride was also very bumpy, and the bed was quite small, which made it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. In addition, both the cabin and the toilets were very small and not particularly clean.
Train VIP Cabin 2x, Vietnam Rail, Sep 2, 2026
P S
Philipp S
Perfect, communication, driver was on time and pick-up / drop-off location as communicated. Very new and comfortable limousine with massage seat :) The drive was relaxing and I felt safe.
The staff were great and friendly. Onboard meals was good in a reasonable price. However 6beds in a cabin isnt a good idea for me. Cant sit, not spacious, a bit uncomfortable.
Journey was nice. Good Train experience.
But if you receive seats on the right side of the train, your view isn’t that nice. Sitting on the left side you have an amazing view.
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Aug 30, 2026
I H
Ian H
Seat 25 in carriage 2 would not lock into the upright position. It would default to the fully reclined position. It was impossible to sit up without it falling back.
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Aug 29, 2026
G K
Glyn K
Travel by train is our favourite mode of transport and 12Go made it easy to book and pay in advance. It would have been even better if a menu showing what food and drink was available and the cost.
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Aug 29, 2026
R D
Robert D
Great experience, easy to navigat, no confusion on where to go, plenty of snacks available on the wy
Operator made us wait as early as 1140 for a 1200 schedule. Turns out we were last to be picked up, so we ended up in the front seats (less comfortable than the plush seats at the back, but nice view). However the nice view also allowed observation of the driver, at some point in the journey (at least 30 minutes, between 1PM - 2PM) a friend of his (likely a driver), called (could hear traffic in the background), then continued with SMS messaging. While the driver is skilled, this is still dangerous as there were times he was texting with both hands, and distracted for a few seconds. No hard brakes or near misses but still a dangerous situation which should call for the driver to be reprimanded that safety is more important than his social chatter with his friend. Also, when the limousine van arrived in Hue, we were transferred to another vehicle (a pickup) for the last 1 km (which I don't understand the reason why) which was IMO unnecessary although the delay was just for a few minutes.
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Aug 27, 2026
Y G
Yvette G
I didn’t had the best view from where I sat
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Aug 27, 2026
A K
Antje K
Good seats, on time, airco and great views. On top, they came multiple time with good and drinks
Toilet smelt, roof leaking quite bad onto the floor and peoples bags, conductors very loud and rude. Seat broken But that’s Vietnam
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Aug 21, 2026
G B
Gergo B
It was a really comfortable and beautiful trip for us. We are currently our honeymoon and makes it perfect! We bought a 2 bad vip cabin and its rella worth it!
Train VIP Cabin 2x, Vietnam Rail, Aug 18, 2026
N B
Niray B
Options given weren’t the best.
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Aug 18, 2026
H V
Helena V
Great! The train was on time to arrive and arrived at my destination on time as well. The staff member in my carriage (5) was great. He remembered my stop and came to get me when we almost arrived. This was great because the English loudspeaker in the train announcing the stops was extremely quiet, and I don’t speak Vietnamese. Vietnamese woman with food carts came by often. The bathroom was clean.
I booked a level 1 (lower bunk) 4 bed compartment which was spacious enough, had a pillow and blanket and power outlets. No other passengers had booked the berth I was in so I had the room to myself which was great!
Only downside I would say is there were a few children running up and down the carriage screaming, they were just playing and having a good time, but would’ve been helpful if staff managed that better as it was a long train ride!
I really enjoyed the experience but the beds were very hard and the toilets could do with an upgrade. The service was good and everything was straight forward.
Train VIP Cabin 2x, Vietnam Rail, Aug 15, 2026
P
Peter
The overall journey was quite comfortable. The train staff and facilities available were very good
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Aug 15, 2026
G H
Gregory H
Buying the ticket was straight forward, the only thing I didn't like was the insurance was automatically charged, and I didn't realize until I paid, this should not be added, there should be an option to add, with no insurance to start with, not remove insurance, this is very deceptive. The train journey was very good.
Easy booking platform for Vietnam trains. Rember to un tick the insurance box before final payment if you don't need it as it automatically adds it on.
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Aug 1, 2026
K R
Kim R
The staff at the station were very helpful.
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Jul 31, 2026
M G
MICHEL G
Waiting for the train wasnt confortable ( train station too small , no place left for luggage , there was no ATM around and I light to walking a long way before findng one ) but the trip was confortable .
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Jul 30, 2026
E W
Elizabeth W
Very comfortable soft seat coach. Clean and good air con.
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Jul 28, 2026
J D
Julie D
Better to sit on a seat than the annoying bus beds
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Jul 26, 2026
Y T
Yvette T
Says on the confirmation no need to to print tickets, got to the station - told you should have printed tickets, caused mass panic until a security guard came to the rescue.
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Jul 26, 2026
L M
Leonard M
Really enjoyed the trip, bus was exactly the same we saw in the picture. Service was professional and friendly. Very nice
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Jul 25, 2026
A L
Adrien L
The train was perfect
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Jul 23, 2026
E W
Elizabeth W
Positives: Train was on time and the food trolley came through often with good variety. Negatives: Cleanliness of the soft seat carriage left much to be desired.
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Jul 22, 2026
M M
Marlene M
Booking my train ride from Hanoi to Haiphong via 12Go was effortless and smooth
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Jul 21, 2026
E W
Elizabeth W
The 3/5 stars is due to the 1h15m delay due to an engine problem about 60 minutes into the journey. The driver was also a little abrupt on the breaks. Overwise the soft seat carriage was clean with strong aircon. Staff were friendly and helpful.
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Jul 19, 2026
K
Kailash
A family that boarded before us pretended that our lower level beds were theirs. They had already used my bed. We have to show them. From them on they moved to their assigned top beds.
I had many problems with too much heavy luggage, no phone ofkr data service, no one spoke English, I had booked my ticket improperly and the carriage super saved me on all issues. Got me a second seat, lifted, stored and off loaded my heavy things, fixed my ticket..he saved me a serious problem
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Jul 19, 2026
P W
Paul W
A lovely train trip. I was able to sleep and take in the scenery in the morning. All from my own cabin.
Train VIP Cabin 2x, Vietnam Rail, Jul 19, 2026
S L
Samantha L
For the price the journey was excellent. Space to store two large suitcases and everyone on the train was very friendly and the train guards were super helpful.
Great ride and view. Train is very clean. The music is a bit too loud during explanation but otherwise it is nice.
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Jul 14, 2026
P J
Pieter J
Loved how convenient the process is and how it’s all very correct. No problems getting on the train with this ticket.
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Jul 13, 2026
G M
Gary M
air conditioner did not work in the carriage with AC water coming in the window on me as window was opened to cool down carriage.
Train Soft Seat, Vietnam Rail, Jul 13, 2026
A L
Adam L
Paid the “VIP” cabin. Old rickety train, hard short beds, dirty rooms, dirty bathrooms, creepy train conductor. The 2 stars are for the nice view in the morning. Done it one now wouldn’t do it again.
Train VIP Cabin 2x, Vietnam Rail, Jul 13, 2026
R T
Robin T
We had a nice train ride bud the train had a delay of 15 minutes, the cabin was clean and comfortable, the only thing is that the crew on board doesn’t speak English so communication was difficult.