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train from saigon to hanoi: scenic or just plain boring??
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effi_kiki
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Hi, Ive been comparing flights with trains for this journey , and as theyre both roughly the same price, I'm not sure which to take. I know the train takes ages, but I think this might be fun as it goes all the way up the coast (or so ive heard) but obviously I dont want to do it if theres not much to see/ its an uncomfortable journey.
If anyone has any experiences or has heard about the train journey that would be really helpful:)
cheers
Kiki.
#1 Posted: 8/11/2009 - 00:51
violets
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Personally, I love the train and find it more comfortable than most trains I've travelled on (if you go soft seat or soft sleeper). You wouldn't want to do the trip from Saigon to Hanoi all in one go, but I find the scenery quite interesting, and really beautiful in places. You can also go overnight for much of its length so you don't need to have more than a few hours of looking out the window. Check seat61.com for more information.
#2 Posted: 8/11/2009 - 13:32
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effi_kiki
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Thanks:) think we'll probably go for the train.
#3 Posted: 8/11/2009 - 18:58
DLuek
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My vote is: train is scenic, but boring, and very very long. Just going from Da Nang to Saigon felt like it would never end. And Jetstar is oh so cheap.
But hey, the train experience is always good once in a while, and there are certainly some great views, especially the cliffs around central Vietnam. One issue is that, from my experience, you really can't see much out of the window of the sleeper compartments, and the Vietnamese generally insist on keeping the windows shut. Those compartments can be pretty tight, and sometimes you can find a regular seat on the train so you can go back and forth, but other times you can't. Bathrooms on train are also pretty dirty, though there is always soap. Just some things to consider...
#4 Posted: 9/11/2009 - 08:47
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Take a night train is more interesting than a day train. But it was quite boring when I have to stay on train for almost 40 hours.
I agree with Dluek, just take a part of train journey if you want to experience because the scenery in the south is so beautiful and you can gain insight magnificent views when train pass some of the most famous pass in Vietnam such as Hai Van Pass, Ca Pass. take the flight will save you much time.
#5 Posted: 9/11/2009 - 11:03
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