Vietnam Railway Corporation launches new high-quality trains to serve passengers

The Vietnam Railway Corporation (VNR) has recently put six new third-generation trains into operation along the Thong Nhat railway route, with the goal of improving the quality of vehicles in order to best serve passengers’ travel demand.

This is a system of new-generation carriages made of top-line materials and equipped with the essential comforts needed for north-south journeys.

Each train consists of 15 carriages, including the locomotive, with the pilot train SE4 featuring four high-end soft-seat carriages featuring 56 seats each.

Compared to the previous generation trains, these new carriages have more spacious and solid luggage racks to ensure safety. In addition, there are venues for passengers’ bulk suitcases at both ends of each carriage.

The bed compartments are equipped with a luxury interior, offering a reading light with a USB charger for each passenger.

With the view of increasing conveniences to meet passengers’ entertainment demand, each carriage is equipped with a bookshelf and four electronic visual displays.

In addition to the enhancement of vehicle quality, the service staff on these new trains have also been provided with additional professional training at the Vietnam Aviation Academy.

The service staff have nice appearances and most of them have good foreign language qualifications in order to serve foreign passengers on board.

The VNR also pilots the offering of free airline meals on these new trains. This is one of the new services implemented by the VNR, in collaboration with the Southern Airports Services Joint Stock Company (SASCO).

The canteen carriage, located in the middle of the train, is equipped with insulation tanks to store meals and ovens, aiming to provide hot and nutritious meals for passengers.

The processed meals are transported to the trains one hour ahead of their departure, following a close procedure of quality control and preservation.

As scheduled, Saigon Railways will operate one train per day on the Thong Nhat railway route. It takes 30 hours for each train to move from the starting terminal to the terminal at its destination.

Vietnam to probe high-speed railway between Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi

Vietnam is once more considering the construction of a standard-gauge high-speed rail link running the entire length of its coastal lowlands to connect Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Rejected before as prohibitively expensive, the railway would link the country’s two main cities, which are 1,137km apart as the crow flies, and would provide an alternative to the slow, rickety and dangerous line the Vietnamese use now.

Last month the government said a pre-feasibility study will analyse the effects of the line on Vietnam’s economy and its ability to pay for it, and would suggest a timetable for the work.

Deputy transport minister Nguyen Ngoc Dong said the study would be finished in the next two years. If it is approved by the National Assembly, the ministry will begin to mobilise funds for the project.

Doan Duy Hoach, deputy general director of the Vietnam Railways Corporation, told the Vietnam Bridge news website that the present system was inadequate for the country’s needs.

Vietnam’s main north-south line is a 1,726km single-track metre-gauge system.

Hoach said there were 300 weak bridges on the existing north-south railway, restricting the weight that freight trains could haul and cutting their speed to 50 km/h. “Railways can carry large volumes of cargo for a long distance with high safety, but to meet the needs of the people, the speed of passenger trains must be increased to over 100 km/h,” he said.

Nguyen Van Thanh, chairman of the Vietnam Association of Automobile Transport, also supported the projected line. He told Vietnam Bridge: “We ought to have built a high-speed rail system decades ago but it is better late than never.”

The National Assembly considered and rejected the idea in 2010, because the estimated construction cost was $56bn. This was equivalent to 45% of Vietnam’ GDP then, and 33% now.

The rail link would be part of the emerging pan-Asian system, which would connect all southeast Asia’s capitals with China. The system has been made possible by Chinese development finance, however this may not be possible for the Vietnamese stretch: Sino-Vietnamese relations, awkward at the best of times, have been chilled by disputes in the South China Sea, and Vietnam has aligned itself diplomatically with Japan and the US.

In previous studies, Vietnam has indicated that it would look to Japan, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to help fund the rail project, although in the past, Japan has argued that Vietnam should delay opening a high-speed link until 2035.

A more recent dissenting opinion from within the country came from Nguyen Minh Thuyet, a former National Assembly deputy. He commented that high-speed rail would not appeal to users because of its high ticket price and lack of luggage space, and would be too expensive.

He said a better option would be to upgrade and expand the existing railway to increase capacity.

A joint Vietnamese-Japanese team that surveyed the system 10 years ago found that much of it required rehabilitation or replacement.

It said: “Most accidents are train crashes against vehicles and persons at level crossings by dangerous and illegal level crossings. Also derailing caused by speeding by train drivers is one common reason.

“The fundamental causes for such accidents can be ascribed to the backwardness of the railway infrastructure such as rail tracks, bridges, level crossings, signal system, and human resources.”

If the standard gauge link between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City goes ahead, it will probably begin in 2020 and be complete around 2030, when the trains it carries will have a speed of up to 200km/h, rising to 350km/h after 2050.

King Express Train

King Express Train is not a bad choice for travelling from Hanoi to Sapa and vice versa.

They've taken many steps to go that far, changing not only the image but services because they know what's really important to serve their beloved customers.

All berths are clean and comfortable with fresh blankets provided. There are 01 toilet and a sink at the end of each carriage, which are well-maintained by the King Express staff. Inside the cabin will be designed with 2 power socket points and each bed has a night light.

Ticket price is inclusive of free tea, mineral water, snacks and wet tissue. If you want to purchase other foods and drinks, there's one carriage selling foods and drinks. Please ask for supports from train staff to get there.

 
Giving them a try is the best way to encourage their fighting spirit since their offerred price is really good comparing to others.
 

Special note:

  • One-way tickets are available 
  • Children under 2 years old are free of charge if sharing berth with parent
  • Ticket prices are inclusive of taxes, fees, snack and drinks 
  • There is no private WC in each cabin but it’s designed in the end of each carriage.

 

Fanxipan Express Train

Fanxipan Express Train is the most recommended tourist train on TripAdvisor.

This train is a bit more expensive than others, however it is clean and well served.

There is a waitting room in infont of Tran Quy Cap train station, just 1 minutes walking. In the waitting room, passengers can access to bathrooms, showers and there's a small restaurant with free wifi to quick check your email or any schedule changes which is expected to received.

The wood paneled sleeping cabin are well designed, comfortable and lovely to impress passengers and bring you to another time of life. Ticket price is inclusive of water and some snacks.

Train title: SP1 departs from Hanoi to Lao Cai (Connecting to Sapa by shuttle buses)

SP2 departs from Lao Cai to Hanoi.

Special note:

  • One-way tickets are available 
  • Children under 2 years old are free of charge if sharing berth with parent
  • Ticket prices are inclusive of taxes, fees, snack and drinks 
  • There is no private WC in each cabin but it’s designed in the end of each carriage.

 

Dream Express Train

Dream Express Train is an other good choice to travel to Sapa at very reasonable ticket price.

This carrier is new and fresh with two types of cabin: deluxe cabin with 4 berths sharing and VIP for 2 passengers only.

All cabin is small but very cosy and comfortable. There're two toilets designed at the end of each side of the train. You'll share with other paxes from other carriages.

Ticker price is inclusive of free drinks and snacks. Good services are recognized by many passengers.

Train titles: SP3 departs from Hanoi to Lao Cai (connecting to Sapa by shuttle bus)

SP4 from Lao Cai to Hanoi.

Special note:

  • One-way tickets are available 
  • Children under 2 years old are free of charge if sharing berth with parent
  • Ticket prices are inclusive of taxes, fees, snack and drinks 
  • There is no private WC in each cabin but it’s designed in the end of each carriage.

 

Chapa Express Train

Chapa express train is considered as the best train to be with from Hanoi to Sapa. It's 4 star train according to the recommended on the tripadvisor.
 
This agency has few carriages on the entire train, but most of them are well decorated and served by an excellent team.

The interior in each cabin are decent and cosy. Berths are small but comfortable, clean and good to stay.
 
Like other trains, toilets are designed at the end of each side of the train and shared with other cabins.
 
Ticket price is inclusive of welcoming drinks, snack, toothbrushes and toothpaste, slippers.
 
Train titles: SP3 from Hanoi to Lao Cai (connecting to Sapa by shuttle bus)
 
SP4 from Lao Cai to Hanoi.
 

Special note:

  • One-way tickets are available 
  • Children under 2 years old are free of charge if sharing berth with parent
  • Ticket prices are inclusive of taxes, fees, snack and drinks 
  • There is no private WC in each cabin but it’s designed in the end of each carriage.

 

Victoria Express Train

Victoria Express Train is the most luxurious train to travel and enjoy from Hanoi to Sapa and return.

First to tell is the welcoming from Victoria Express staffs, they're very friendly with smile on face.

In Tran Quy Cap train station, passengers are invited to access a comfortable lounge with drinks and snacks served for free while waiting for departure. When the train are ready, Victoria Express staff will send passengers to correct cabin and do not worry, your luggage shall be taken care by staffs.

The deluxe cabins are comfortable and intimate. All berths are firm and comfortable for a 8 hours sleeping on train, which surely will elude most travellers after a long journey.

There are two bathrooms in each carriage. Both of them are well maintained and equipped by Victoria Express staffs.

Passengers can enjoy your dinner or supper in the dining carriage with hot foods to warm up your stomach and cold nibbles with local beers, coca or delicious wines.

The Victoria Express train ticket price is nearly tripple comparing to others but it's a great experience that you should take to treat yourself.

Special note:

  • One-way tickets are available 
  • Children under 2 years old are free of charge if sharing berth with parent
  • Ticket prices are inclusive of taxes, fees, snack and drinks 
  • There is no private WC in each cabin but it’s designed in the end of each carriage.

 

Sapaly Express Train

Travelling on the Sapaly Express train from Hanoi to Sapa and return is an interesting experience.

One deluxe cabin is designed for four passengers. You may book whole cabin to enjoy your own privacy. Each cabin is well functioned with night light, linens, pillow and power pocket.

Ticket price is inclusive of free water, snacks, toothbrushes and toothpaste with disposable slippers. Toilets are set up at the end of each carriage and cleaned by train staff after each journey.

You're recommended to bring an earplugs and some sleep aids as it is not quiet or a smooth ride.

Train title: SP3 departs from Hanoi to Lao Cai (connecting to Sapa by shuttle buses)

SP4 departs from Lao Cai to Hanoi.

Special note:

  • One-way tickets are available 
  • Children under 2 years old are free of charge if sharing berth with parent
  • Ticket prices are inclusive of taxes, fees, snack and drinks 
  • There is no private WC in each cabin but it’s designed in the end of each carriage.

 

Vicsapa Train

Vicsapa Train is a nice choice for 1 night sleeping on train. Ticket price is really cheap and inclusive of free drinks with some cookies inside the cabin.

You may choose to book 1 cabin for 2 or share with other 2 passengers. Of course it's safe and sound to enjoy your own privacy, but in case of budget care, sharing with others is not a bad idea too.

The cabin is small but comfortable and clean. All cabins are non-smoking but as you know, it depends on passengers' attitude too.

Vicsapa train staffs are friendly and supportive. Please do not hesitate to ask for their help if you need.

Special note:

  • One-way tickets are available 
  • Children under 2 years old are free of charge if sharing berth with parent
  • Ticket prices are inclusive of taxes, fees, snack and drinks 
  • There is no private WC in each cabin but it’s designed in the end of each carriage.

 

Pumpkin Express Train

Pumpkin Express Train Sapa is well known for is long-term serving on the route from Hanoi to Sapa and return.

All cabins are functioned with air-conditioner, reading lights, soft berths and cozy light system. Traveling on this train, passengers will be served with free snacks and mineral water for light meals. However, like other trains, Pumpkin Express Train is only equipped with one single bathroom on each carriage for passengers, no private toilet but passengers will need to share it with other cabins. Additionally, there is no private dining and bar serving for demand of the passengers but you need to go to the general cabin to purchase foods and drinks.

Train title: SP3 from Hanoi to Lao Cai (connecting to Sapa by shuttle bus)

SP4 from Lao Cai to Hanoi.

Special note:

  • One-way tickets are available 
  • Children under 2 years old are free of charge if sharing berth with parent
  • Ticket prices are inclusive of taxes, fees, snack and drinks 
  • There is no private WC in each cabin but it’s designed in the end of each carriage.

 

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