Trains Between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Written by Fabio Updated May. 19, 2025

Because of Vietnam's narrow width, there is only one main railway line crossing the whole country from north to south: the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City line.

This meter gauge railway was built by the French during the colonial period, with an average speed of 50 km/h (31 miles per hour). Any train running on the North-South Railway is called a Reunification Express.

Daily there are six trains linking the capital, Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city.

Distance: 1,726 kilometers (1,072 miles)
Trains: SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7, SE9. SE11
Main Stops: Hanoi, Nih Binh, Thanh Hoa, Vinh, Dong Hoi, Hue, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Dieu Tri, Nha Trang, Binh Thuan, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Duration of journey: approximately 34 hours

Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City Train Schedules

(Last updated on May 7, 2025)

Train Number	Hanoi (depart)	Ho Chi Minh City (arrive)
SE7	06:00	17:35 the next day
SE5	08:55	20:20 the next day
SE9	12:50	03:40 two days later
SE3	19:20	05:15 two days later
SE1	20:50	05:45 two days later
SE11	21:25	11:10 two days later

Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi Train Schedules

(Last updated on May 7, 2025)

Train Number	Ho Chi Minh City (depart)	Hanoi (arrive)
SE8	06:00	16:10 the next day
SE6	08:40	19:12 the next day
SE10	13:20	04:35 two days later
SE4	19:25	04:55 two days later
SE2	20:35	05:45 two days later
SE12	20:55	10:25 two days later

Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi Train Tickets Fares

Seat Types	Arrive Next Day (USD)	Arrive Two Days Later (USD)
Soft seat	45	45
One bed in a 4-bed Room	69	72
One bed in a 6-bed Room	55	54

Getting to Hanoi Train Station

From Ba Dinh Square

If you’re near Ba Dinh Square, getting to Hanoi Train Station is easy and flexible:

Walking: It’s just a 20-minute walk—a nice option if you’re traveling light and enjoy strolling through the city.
By Taxi: Carrying luggage or short on time? A taxi is the best choice. The ride takes about 7 minutes and costs around USD 2.

From Noi Bai International Airport

Getting to Hanoi Train Station from the airport can be a bit more complex. The total travel time is Around 2 hours

By Public Bus:

Exit the terminal, head east, and turn right.
Walk about 100 meters to the Bai Do Xe Cau Giay bus stop.
Take Bus No. 7 and get off at Doi Dien Tong CTY DV Vien Thong.
Transfer to Bus E08 at Khu Do Thi Times City.
Ride 9 stops to arrive at Hanoi Train Station.

By Taxi:

A far more convenient option. The ride takes about 40 minutes and costs approximately USD 17.

Getting from Ho Chi Minh Train Station

To the Independence Palace

This historic site is located about 2.3 kilometers from the train station.

Walking: Around 30 minutes—a manageable distance if you’re not carrying heavy bags.
By Taxi: A faster and more comfortable option. The trip takes about 10 minutes and costs around USD 3.
By Bus: Not recommended, as it still requires walking around 1 kilometer and offers no time advantage.

To the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

Walking: About 42 minutes—a pleasant option if you're sightseeing along the way.
By Bus: Takes roughly 45 minutes, so not much faster than walking.
By Taxi: The most convenient way. The journey takes 16 minutes and costs around USD 3.

Scenery Along the Way

Winding along the coastline, the North-South Railway offers much landscape and many cultural highlights along the way.

Views from the train window change from green to golden paddy fields, from thriving orchards and countryside to towering mountains and shining blue sea. You can also have a close-up view of a railroad market, which can only be found in Southeast Asia.

Most popular tourist cities are dotted along the line, including Hanoi, Vinh, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City.

The Hue–Da Nang section of the railway is the most beautiful and stunning. The train goes through world-class tourist attractions Hai Van Pass and Lang Co Beach. This stretch of line has been designated by National Geographic as “One of 50 must-sees in a lifetime”.

Train vs Flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

What is the best way to travel between the two cities: plane, train or bus? Bus is only recommended for journeys less than 6 hours. Bus fares are the cheapest. Trains and planes, however, are safer and more comfortable than buses.

Train vs Plane

Tips:

From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, trains take a much longer time than planes. Still, many travelers choose trains because you can view stunning scenery along the way, which cannot be seen from a plane.
If you decide to take a train, it is recommended to book sleeper tickets. Soft seat and hard seat tickets are really not recommended. Soft sleeper is comfortable, with air-conditioning. There is a lockable door, guaranteeing privacy and security.
There are no open tickets enabling you to hop on and off Vietnamese trains. Seats/berths are reserved for the whole trip you booked.
If a 35-hour train journey sounds too long to you, a good option might be to break the journey into two or three parts. Making stops at Hue, Da Nang, or other tourist cities, for a few days of visiting, would be a good idea.

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