Travellers can reserve train tickets in Vietnam and receive the electronic tickets issued by Vietnam Railways by email, ready for boarding.
We support advance ticket booking for more than 160 stations across Vietnam, including Hanoi, Lao Cai, Dong Dang and Hai Phong in the North, Ninh Binh, Dong Hoi, Hue, Da Nang, Tuy Hoa, Nha Trang, Phan Rang and Phan Thiet along the Central Coast, and Ho Chi Minh in the South.
Additionally, we integrate ticket booking for multiple private railway companies operating sleeper coaches from Hanoi to Lao Cai, from Hanoi to Dong Hoi, Hue and Da Nang, and from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang.
We also support ticket booking for international train routes connecting Vietnam with China.
Train companies in Vietnam
The railway network in Vietnam is operated by the state-owned company Vietnam Railways and its subsidiaries Hanoi Railways and Saigon Railways. In the present, trains transiting the Vietnamese railway network are pulled by diesel locomotives circulating at 60 to 80 km/h speed carrying passenger cars operated by Vietnam Railways and private railway companies.
Passenger services are designated by a code letter identifying the railway line followed by one to two numerals indicating the priority of the service, with SE1/2 being the fastest Express service connecting Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh in just over 30 hours.
The train services in Vietnam are managed by two operators:
- - Vietnam Railways
- - Private railway companies
Vietnam Railways
Vietnam Railways operates its own set of passenger coaches on every train, which usually consists of sleeper and seating passenger cars. Coaches are attended by staff trained to provide a quality service similar to domestic flight attendants.
The rolling stock is quite old but the fleet is under renovation, as the railway operator progressively introduces upgraded cars with the interior refurnished, a more modern design and higher quality components.
Passenger cars operated by Vietnam Railways are divided in four classes: Hard seat, Soft seat, Hard bed in compartments for 1-6 passengers and Soft bed in compartments for 1-4 passengers.
Soft seat
Sleeper 4-Berth (Compartments for 1-4 passengers with soft bed)
Private railway companies
Private railway companies operate their own passenger cars that are attached to the trains hauled by Vietnam Railways locomotives, departing and arriving with the same schedule. The staff on-board is usually trained to assist international passengers.
The coaches operated by the private railway companies provide a higher level of comfort than the coaches operated by Vietnam Railways. The service also includes bottled water and snacks.
Passenger cars operated by private railway companies are divided in two classes: Sleeper 4-Berth in compartments for 1-4 passengers and Sleeper 2-Berth in compartments for 1-2 passengers. Customers who wish to enjoy some privacy by reserving the whole compartment can select the maximum number of passengers and purchase all the tickets.
Sleeper 4-Berth (Compartments for 1-4 passengers with soft bed)
Sleeper 2-Berth (Compartments for 1-2 passengers with soft bed)
Getting around Vietnam by train
Vietnam has 2,600 kilometres of railway network, which consist of the main line North–South connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, and the secondary lines Hanoi–Lao Cai, Hanoi–Dong Dang, Hanoi–Hai Phong in the North, and Saigon–Phan Thiet in the South.
Most of the railway lines in Vietnam use metre gauge, although some standard gauge and mixed gauge are used in the Hanoi–Dong Dang railway line with the purpose of allowing trains to run the international railway service Hanoi–Nanning without break of gauge.
We facilitate advance ticket booking for trains operated by Vietnam Railways.
Ticket reservation is available 2-3 months in advance.
Hanoi–Lao Cai railway serving Hanoi and Lao Cai
| Stations | SP1/2 | SP3/4 |
| Hanoi | ||
| Gia Lam | ||
| Yen Vien | ||
| Yen Bai | ||
| Lao Cai |
| Stations | MR1/2 |
| Hanoi | |
| Gia Lam | |
| Dong Dang | |
| Pingxiang | |
| Nanning |
| Stations | HP1/2 | LP3/2 | LP5/6 | LP7/8 |
| Hanoi | ||||
| Long Bien | ||||
| Gia Lam | ||||
| Hai Duong | ||||
| Hai Phong |
| Stations | SE1/2 | SE3/4 | SE5/6 | SE7/8 | SE19/20 | SE21/22 | SNT1/2 |
| Hanoi | |||||||
| Ninh Binh | |||||||
| Thanh Hoa | |||||||
| Vinh | |||||||
| Dong Hoi | |||||||
| Hue | |||||||
| Da Nang | |||||||
| Dieu Tri | |||||||
| Tuy Hoa | |||||||
| Nha Trang | |||||||
| Thap Cham | |||||||
| Binh Thuan | |||||||
| Saigon |
| Stations | SPT1/2 | SPT3/4 |
| Phan Thiet | ||
| Binh Thuan | ||
| Saigon |
Destinations
Northern Vietnam
The Hanoi–Lao Cai railway connects Hanoi and Lao Cai, in the Northwestern Mountains of Vietnam. Trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station and return from Lao Cai Railway Station.
Additionally to Vietnam Railways, the private railway companies Chapa Express, Sapaly Express, Laman Express, Damitrans Express, New Livitrans Express and Violette Trains operate their own passenger cars on the trains departing from Hanoi bound for Lao Cai.
Train routes to Lao Cai
The Hanoi–Hai Phong railway connects Hanoi and Hai Phong, the biggest city in the Northeastern Coast of Vietnam. Trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station and arrive at Hai Phong Railway Station, which provides easy access to Cat Ba Island.
Train routes to Hai Phong
Central Vietnam
The North–South railway connects Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station and arrive at Saigon Railway Station stopping in the major stations along Central Vietnam, such us Ninh Binh, Dong Hoi, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phan Rang.
Additionally to Vietnam Railways, the private railway company Laman Express operates its own passenger cars on the trains departing from Hanoi bound for Dong Hoi, Hue and Da Nang. The private railway companies Damitrans Express, Lotus Train, New Livitrans Express and Violette Trains manage their own compartments in standard passenger cars operated by Vietnam Railways on the trains departing from Hanoi bound for Dong Hoi, Hue and Da Nang, and the trains departing from Ho Chi Minh bound for Nha Trang, Da Nang and Hue.
Train routes to Hanoi
Train routes to Ninh Binh
Train routes to Dong Hoi
Train routes to Hue
Train routes to Da Nang
Train routes to Nha Trang
Train routes to Phan Rang
Train routes to Ho Chi Minh
Southern Vietnam
The Saigon–Phan Thiet railway connects Ho Chi Minh and Phan Thiet in the Southeastern Coast of Vietnam. Trains depart from Saigon Railway Station and arrive at Phan Thiet Railway Station, which provides easy access to Mui Ne.
Alternatively, passengers can take the SE services of the North–South railway line and stop in Binh Thuan Railway Station, then transfer to Phan Thiet by taxi.
Train routes to Phan Thiet
International trains to Vietnam
Vietnam has an international railway connection with China through the Lao Cai–Hekou border checkpoint in Lao Cai province, through the Dong Dang–Pingxiang border checkpoint in Lang Son province, and through the Mong Cai–Dongxing border checkpoint in Quang Ninh province.
China
Vietnam is connected with non-direct international trains to Kunming and Nanning in China.
International trains from China
How to book your train tickets in Vietnam?
Booking your train tickets in Vietnam is very quick and simple. Search for train routes between any two cities for your travel dates.
Select your route
After search, we will display the results for your itinerary.
Find the train services operated by Vietnam Railways or the private railway companies available for your itinerary and select the most convenient option.
Click to expand the details of the route, you will find the available fares. Trains in Vietnam offer various types of fares, depending if the service consists of sleeper or seating passenger cars.
- Hard seat arranged in 2+2 row configuration
- Soft seat arranged in 2+2 row configuration
- Sleeper 6-Berth (Compartments for 1-6 passengers with hard bed) arranged in 3 levels of bunks (Upper, Middle and Lower)
- Sleeper 4-Berth (Compartments for 1-4 passengers with soft bed) arranged in 2 levels of bunks (Upper and Lower)
- Sleeper 2-Berth (Compartments for 1-2 passengers with soft bed) arranged in 1 level of bunks
Fill in the passenger and contact details
Next, select your seats.
Baolau supports seat and berth selection for all trains operated by Vietnam Railways. For private railway companies, you can indicate your berth preference, Upper and Lower, and we will consider your request depending on the availability.
Please provide the passenger information and the contact details of the person responsible for booking. We will send by email the booking confirmation and the electronic ticket.
Complete your payment
Select your payment method. We accept international credit or debit cards.
Check your itinerary and price breakdown. Confirm that the booking information is correct. Before you proceed to payment, you must read and accept the terms and conditions of booking.
Receive your tickets by email
Once your payment is complete, your reservation will be processed.
In the following 24 hours you will receive the itinerary and booking confirmation by email with the electronic ticket issued by Vietnam Railways or the private railway companies attached in PDF format.
You can also access to Manage your booking via web and download the electronic ticket to your device.
How to use the train e-ticket?
The electronic ticket is a valid boarding pass and can be used to board the train at the station of departure.
Passengers travelling with Vietnam Railways can print the e-ticket in advance or carry a digital copy in the mobile phone and present it when boarding the train.
RECEIVE YOUR E-TICKET BY EMAIL
Receive your electronic ticket by email in PDF format. Print a copy of the e-ticket in advance or carry it in your mobile phone.
ARRIVE AT THE STATION ON TIME
Arrive at the station 30-60 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Scan the code included in the e-ticket to pass through the gates.
BOARD THE TRAIN
Access the platform and present your electronic ticket to the conductor before boarding the train.