Against the backdrop of the globally expanding “slow travel” trend, Vietnam’s more than century-old railway system has become a vibrant living heritage, bridging historical values with contemporary vitality. Recognition from the global community - highlighted by Lonely Planet placing Vietnam’s North-South railway line at the top of its list of the world’s most amazing train journeys in 2025 - clearly attests to Vietnam Railways’ newfound stature on the global travel map.
The debut of high-quality tourist and heritage trains, such as Central Heritage Connection Journey, Hà Nội’s 5 City Gates, and Đà Lạt Night Journey, has sparked travel frenzies, inspiring both domestic and international travelers to rediscover indigenous cultural values through train carriage windows. This strategy not only invigorates the tourism economy but also preserves and promotes iconic vintage train stations like Hà Nội Station, Huế Station, and Đà Lạt Station - historical witnesses featuring timeless architecture.
The Thống Nhất line: The backbone of pan-Vietnam tourism
Spanning 1,726 kilometers to connect the nation's two major hubs - Hà Nội and Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh - the North-South railway is not only a vital transport artery but also a journey to explore the rich geographical and cultural diversity of Vietnam. Departing daily, the train carries travelers across fertile Northern delta plains, wind-swept and sun-drenched Central coastal stretches, and down into the vibrant dynamism of the South.
A standout highlight along the North-South journey is the section winding through Đèo Hải Vân, located between Huế and Đà Nẵng. Here, the tracks hug the edge of the sea, allowing passengers to marvel at the majestic Bạch Mã mountain range embracing the azure waters of Lăng Cô Bay. This segment is widely recognized as the most scenic railway stretch in Vietnam, where nature presents absolute harmony between lush mountains and the vast ocean.
Launched on March 26, 2024, the Central Heritage Connection Journey heritage train on the Huế - Đà Nẵng route represents a breakthrough in railway tourism development. Beyond serving transportation needs, the train is designed as a mobile cultural space infused with the spirit of the ancient Imperial City and the modern coastal metropolis. Onboard, passengers are treated to live traditional art performances - including ca Huế (Huế folk singing), traditional instrumental music, đàn tranh (zither), and sáo trúc (bamboo flute) - resonating as the train glides through the pass. This one-of-a-kind experience invites passengers to connect deeply with the soul of Central Vietnamese culture. The carriages are decorated in an ancient royal-court style blended with modern touches, offering striking “check-in” spots for travelers.
The luxury rail segment: 5-star distinction on the tracks
Vietnam has officially entered the ranks of destinations offering luxury railway services with the launch of SJourney. This service caters to discerning travelers seeking opulence, privacy, and refined culinary experiences throughout their voyage.
SJourney is Vietnam's first luxury train offering an 8-day, 7-night cross-country itinerary. The train features 10 sleeper carriages with private cabins ranging from 10 to 13 m², fully equipped with en-suite bathrooms, minibars, and safes - akin to a 5-star hotel room. The aesthetic design of SJourney embraces a distinct Indochine flair, utilizing materials from traditional craft villages such as rattan, bamboo, and hand-carved wood. Its itinerary includes stops at famed destinations including Ninh Bình, Quảng Bình, Huế, Hội An, Phú Yên, and Phan Thiết, providing guests with private guided tours and 24/7 butler service.
Additionally, Charter trains offer fully customized journeys tailored to client requests regarding route, schedule, and itinerary - ranging from specific scenic stretches to full cross-country trips - complete with event hosting for corporate gatherings, birthdays, weddings, and cultural performances.
Exploring the Northwest Highlands by rail
The Tây Bắc (Northwest) highlands have long enchanted global travelers with their grand, pristine, and mystical beauty. To fully savor this poetic landscape, taking the train from Hà Nội to Lào Cai (Sa Pa) has become a top choice for travelers seeking safety and a distinct experience. Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city, the roughly 8-hour journey on popular trains like SP1 and SP3 (departing between 21:35 and 22:00 and pulling into Lào Cai Station around 05:30 to 06:00 the following morning) delivers an extraordinarily soothing sense of relaxation.
Furthermore, the arrival of high-end tourist carriages such as Chapa Express, Laman Express, and Lotus Express offers an even more elevated experience. Dubbed “mobile hotels”, these carriages feature cozy wood-paneled cabins with a nostalgic design, complete with 5-star amenities. The most precious reward of the trip unfolds right outside the glass window: radiant highland dawns, mist-shrouded valleys, and majestic terraced rice fields coming into view as the train slows down approaching the station.
Đà Lạt Night Journey: Mountain town nostalgia
Inaugurated in the 1930s, Đà Lạt Station stands as one of Vietnam's oldest and most picturesque railway stations, featuring a triple-pointed roof architecture inspired by the peaks of Lang Biang mountain. Today, the station serves a 7-kilometer tourist line to Trại Mát known as Đà Lạt Night Journey.
Departing from Đà Lạt Station on an evening round-trip journey, the night train gently glides past the “valley of lights” - where local flower greenhouses illuminate the night, creating a mesmerizingly shimmering landscape. Onboard, passengers enjoy live guitar and saxophone music floating through the cool, crisp Đà Lạt air.
At the terminal station in Trại Mát, visitors have 30 to 45 minutes to explore Linh Phước Pagoda, a unique temple renowned for its intricate mosaics crafted from millions of porcelain and ceramic shards.
Culinary delights and digital conveniences
The transformation of Vietnam Railways is equally evident in the quality of onboard cuisine and modern conveniences. Vietnam Railways is actively enhancing passenger experiences through menu diversification and digital technology integration.
Passengers can easily order meals and local specialties by scanning QR codes placed in each carriage. This service allows travelers to select options ranging from light snacks like bánh mì and boiled corn to hot meals cooked in the galley car and delivered straight to their seats.
Onboard dining has moved beyond simple quick bites to embrace regional flavors. Central tourist trains often serve cơm hến (clam rice), bánh nậm, and bánh bột lọc (tapioca dumplings), while luxury carriages can provide custom Asian-Western menus or buffets upon request.
Booking train tickets is now more seamless than ever via the official website: dsvn.vn, e-wallets, and mobile banking apps. Passengers simply present an e-ticket QR code on their smartphone to board without needing printed paper tickets - a modern enhancement that saves time and elevates professionalism in the eyes of international tourists.
Future outlook
The powerful transformation of Vietnam Railways demonstrates that trains are no longer just a safe mode of transport, but a highly effective vehicle for cultural promotion. Heritage and luxury rail routes have successfully created a new tourism ecosystem, where the journey itself becomes an exquisite highlight of the vacation.
In the future, investing in the concept of “every station as a destination” and debuting more high-end tourist trains rooted in Vietnamese cultural identity will strengthen the railway sector's role and reinforce Vietnam’s standing on the international tourism map. With a harmonious blend of historical heritage, majestic natural scenery, and modern service quality, Vietnam’s railways are bound to go far, delivering unhurried yet deeply evocative journeys for travelers exploring the S-shaped land.
HOANG ANH
Vietnam Destination Review - Special Issue No. 2 (July 2026)
