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.
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