The Hanoi Train is a special excursion train that travels from Hanoi to neighbouring Bac Ninh province and back again. The trip takes three and a half hours with some stops on the way.

There are two trains per day, and I took the afternoon train. Here is my review, including train details and what to expect onboard.

Trains and tickets

The two trains are:

BHL1/BHL2: 8:00-11:30
BHL3/BHL4: 13:30-17:00

The two numbers on each trip represent the outbound and inbound sections of the journey.

The ticket prices (as of November 2025):

Deck 1 seat: 550,000 VND
Deck 2 seat: 650,000 VND
VIP carriage seat: 750,000 VND

Tickets can be booked at hanoitrain.vn or at the special booking desk at Hanoi Station.

I booked Deck 1 (the lower deck) and I took the afternoon train (BHL3/BHL4). I tried to book a morning train but that service was booked out on the days I was available to go.

Hanoi Station

The train departs from Hanoi Station, and the train service is shown on the departure board alongside regular train services.

[Train BHL3 on the Hanoi departure board.]

The train uses double-decker carriages with The Hanoi Train livery.

Each carriage is named after one of Hanoi’s 5 gates:

– O Quan Chuong
– O Dong Mac
– O Cho Dua
– O Cau Den
– O Cau Giay

Train staff hold a sign indicating the carriage gate name.

Onboard The Hanoi Train

The carriages are split into upper and lower decks with stairs to each deck at the entrance. Like the regular train services in Vietnam, The Hanoi Train does not have accessibility features for mobility needs.

The carriages are set up like a lounge, with some seats at tables and some seats facing the windows. Each carriage has different seat styles, but they all looked comfortable.

Some people have commented that the seats look dangerous, but they are bolted to the ground and not moveable. The train is travelling through urban areas for most of the way, so the train is not very fast either.

A sweet snack and iced lotus tea is offered after the train departs.

There is a band playing traditional music that roams between the carriages.

Some local newspapers in Vietnamese and English are offered upon boarding.

Another snack is offered on the return journey.

The toilets are much nicer than what you find on the regular train services.

The sink area is outside the toilet.

Long Bien Station

The first stop is not long after leaving Hanoi Station at Long Bien Station.

This station is on the Old Quarter side of the Long Bien Bridge. There is enough time for a photo opportunity at the bridge entrance.

The train also has an open carriage at the end of the train which you can visit when the train stops.

Tu Son Station and visit the Do Temple

After crossing the Long Bien Bridge, the train follows the route of the Hanoi-Dong Dang Railway, passing through Gia Lam Station and Yen Vien Station in Hanoi.

[Crossing the Long Bien Bridge.]

The main stop for this excursion train is at Tu Son Station in Bac Ninh province. There are coaches waiting next to the platform to take passengers to the Ly Bat De Temple.

The Ly Bat De Temple (or Do Temple) is in the city area but not close enough to walk to.

The temple compound is where the Lý dynasty emperors were buried.

There is a concert in the grounds, and performers on a boat in the lake.

You are free to walk around the temple complex for the 1-hour stay.

Train Street

An unintended tourist attraction is Hanoi Train Street. Images of trains passing through a narrow urban laneway in Hanoi has become globally famous, and if you are reading this website then you are probably someone who is interested in going.

There are two main section of “Train Street”, and The Hanoi Train passes through the section on the edge of the Old Quarter.

Passengers who booked seats in the upper deck came down to watch the spectacle of people outside that were watching us.

The Hanoi Train in summary

Overall this was a good afternoon out, and it’s a suitable option if you are visiting Hanoi but don’t have other train trips planned in Vietnam. I also found that the festive atmosphere and seat layout made it more conducive to mingle with other passengers. I met a Malaysian man who shared a similiar interest with me in transport and infrastructure in Southeast Asia, and a fellow Aussie who was with a group that was visiting Hanoi for a wedding.

Follow Rail Vietnam by email or social media for future updates on other special trains in Vietnam.

The “Connecting Central Heritage” train is a special tourist train between Hue and Da Nang, operated by Vietnam Railways.

[Advertising for the Hue-Da Nang special train at Hue Station.]

The train was launched on 26 March 2024 to promote tourism in the central region of Vietnam. The train connects the historic city of Hue to Da Nang, with the highlight of the trip being the journey across the Hai Van Pass.

These are separate trains that only operate between Hue and Da Nang, and not carriages added to the normal Hanoi-Saigon trains.

Connecting Central Heritage train times

[Boarding HD2 at Da Nang.]

There are two trains per day in each direction. The booking sites show all of the trains that are available on the day of travel, including the regular North-South trains.

The Connecting Central Heritage trains are numbered HD, while the North-South trains are numbered SE.

Tickets can be bought at the station, online on the Vietnam Railways website, or through online travel agents. Note that the times may vary as the network timetable is often adjusted.

Hue–Da Nang

Train: HD1
Departure: 7:45 am
Arrival: 10:55 am
Travel Time: 3h 10m

Train: HD3
Departure: 2:25 pm
Arrival: 5:40 pm
Travel Time: 3h 15m

Tickets: Buy Hue-Da Nang train tickets

Da Nang-Hue

Train: HD2
Departure: 7:50 am
Arrival: 11:05 am
Travel Time: 3h 15m

Train: HD4
Departure: 3:00 pm
Arrival: 5:45 pm
Travel Time: 2h 45m

Tickets: Buy Da Nang-Hue train tickets

The difference in travel times depends on how long trains stop to allow other trains to pass. You can also get on or off the train at Lang Co.

Connecting Central Heritage trains

Connecting Central Heritage trains have a different livery to the regular North-South trains.

[Connecting Central Heritage train at Da Nang.]

The train includes air-conditioned, soft seat carriages and a community living carriage.

The seats are padded and reclinable in 2×2 configuration. These are the same carriages that used on the North-South Railway.

The same toilets of the North-South trains as well.

The community living carriage is like a dining carriage except with informal seating.

There is live music during the trip.

The carriage also has a book shelf of local history books.

There is a cafe bar serving snacks, coffee, and Huda (the beer brand of Central Vietnam).

I ordered a ca phe sua da, and I was impressed that the server kept a steady hand while the train was rocking.

The drinks are reasonably priced for a tourist train.

View from the train

The community carriage makes the trip feel like it’s a party train, but the star of the show is the trip across the Hai Van Pass.

[Passengers admiring the view of the Hai Van Pass.]

The trip around the Hai Van Pass takes one hour, with spectacular sea views on the way.

As the train winds its way around the coast it reveals hidden coves and beaches.

Stop at Lang Co Station

The train stops at Lang Co Station on the north side of the Hai Van Pass.

[Approaching Lang Co.]

The North-South line is a single-track railway, so the train has to wait at stations and passing loops for opposing trains to pass. There are some passing sections on the Hai Van Pass, so sometimes trains stop there to allow other trains to pass.

[Connecting Central Heritage trains at Lan Co.]

Crossing the Hai Van Pass on any train

I have been on the train between Da Nang and Hue many times, so it was interesting to see this new service by Vietnam Railways. The Connecting Central Heritage service caters for domestic travellers who are looking for a day out on the train.

Crossing the Hai Van Pass by train is one of the highlights of rail travel in Vietnam. I always say that if you only do one train trip in Vietnam, then it should be between Da Nang and Hue (though if you are reading this site then you are probably interested in all of the train trips).

Overall I found that the regular SE trains are sufficient for Hai Van Pass views. The Connecting Central Heritage train is useful if you want to try something different, and it also provides extra capacity on this section of the railway that is usually booked out.