1. Overview
Vietnam Sleeper Trains are operated by the state-owned Vietnam Railways and connect major cities and tourist destinations throughout the country. Some of the most popular routes include Hanoi to Sapa, which takes about 8 hours, and Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, which takes about 30 – 40 hours. On the train, each passenger seat will be divided into hard seats, air-conditioned hard seats, air-conditioned soft seats, and sleepers. Each passenger seat will have different prices.
According to the experience of many Vietnamese people traveling by train, for long-distance travelers, tourists should choose the sleeper service to avoid feeling lethargic and tired while traveling, and also to be more convenient in admiring the beauty of nature.
2. What types of sleeper trains are there in Vietnam and how much do they cost?
2.1. Cabin types
There are many types of sleeper trains in Vietnam, from basic to luxury. Basic sleeper trains have shared cabins with bunk beds, while more luxurious options may have private cabins and showers. Most trains offer a choice of soft or hard sleeper accommodation. Soft sleepers are more comfortable and offer more privacy, while hard sleepers are more affordable but less comfortable and private. There are 3 main types of cabins to choose from:
- 2-Bed Cabin: This is the most VIP cabin with spacious space for couples who want some private time. Each bed is usually 80x190cm in size. Normally, the ticket price of this cabin is double that of a 4-bed cabin, with many snacks, beer, soft drinks, wet towels, hairbrushes, toothbrushes, toothpaste for free, etc.
- 4-bed cabin: 4-bed cabin usually has 4 beds, divided into 2 floors. Each bed is the same size as a 2-bed cabin (80x190cm). This is considered a spacious and VIP cabin of the train.
- 6-bed cabin: 6 beds of this cabin are covered with a thin mattress about 3cm thick, with the cheapest ticket price compared to 2-4-bed cabins. In the cabin, there will be 6 beds divided into 3 floors, each bed is about 78x190cm in size.
2.2. Ticket price
Ticket prices vary depending on the route. You can see detailed train ticket prices of Vietnam Railways Corporation here, but child ticket prices are calculated as follows:
- Under 2 years old: Free travel
- From 2 to under 9 years old (and under 1.3m): Price is 75% of adult ticket price North – South and vice versa. But for Hanoi – Sapa tickets and vice versa, children will be charged full as adults.
- Over 9 years old: charged as adults
- Carry-on luggage: 20kg for adults and 10kg for children
3. Top 10 experiences of traveling by Vietnam sleeper trains you should know
3. 1. Book train tickets early
When choosing to travel by train, booking tickets early is one of the important experiences of traveling by sleeper train to help you have a convenient and cost-saving trip. Booking tickets in advance will help you avoid the situation of sold-out tickets, especially during holidays. In addition, sleeper is also the most popular train seat class and is often “sold out”. So, don’t forget to book tickets early to get a satisfactory seat, ensuring the best train experience! To book sleeper train tickets early, you can buy train tickets directly on reputable websites of local travel agencies or on the websites of Vietnam Railways.
3.2. How to choose a sleeper?
Depending on your personal needs and budget, you can choose a 2-bed, 4-bed or 6-bed cabin. Before booking your train ticket, you may hesitate a bit between the lower and upper berths. The decision to choose the lower or upper berth on a sleeper train in Vietnam depends on your personal preferences and needs.
The lower berths offer more space and are generally more comfortable than the upper berths. If you have a lot of luggage or want to get your belongings easily, the lower berths may be more convenient for you. However, if you prefer more privacy and don’t mind climbing up and down stairs, the upper berths may be a better choice. The lower berths can be noisier due to passengers walking by and talking, while the upper berths are generally quieter and more peaceful.
3.3. Prepare personal belongings
When planning a sleeper train trip, you should prepare a small bag of necessary personal belongings. Personal belongings need to be neatly arranged and convenient, including items such as a change of clothes, slippers, personal hygiene items, etc. In addition, you also need to choose comfortable clothes so that you do not feel uncomfortable when sleeping and can move easily on the train. Store the things you use frequently in a convenient bag so that you can take them out at any time without having to take everything out.
3.4. Prepare snacks and drinks
On long trips, preparing food and drinks is very important. You should prepare snacks and your favorite drinks in advance to feel comfortable and convenient during the trip. This little tip also helps you save money because the price of food on the train is often more expensive than outside and sometimes not to your taste. However, you should pay attention to choosing foods and drinks that are not easily damaged or smelly when traveling on the train and do not affect other passengers.
3.5. Bring entertainment devices
The next experience of traveling by sleeper train is to prepare entertainment devices in advance. Bringing entertainment devices makes the time on the train more enjoyable. You should bring devices such as laptops, tablets, phones, headphones or books to entertain yourself during the trip.
3.6. Prepare a jacket or warm clothes
When traveling by sleeper train, preparing warm clothes is very important to ensure your health during the trip. When night falls, the temperature on the train will often drop and be quite cold, so prepare some thermal clothes or outerwear!
3.7. Always lock your door at night
When traveling long distances and by public transport, safety should always be a top priority. One of the important experiences to ensure safety is to always lock your room door at night. This helps protect you and your property from unwanted situations, especially when you are sleeping soundly and traveling alone. If you discover any security problems, immediately notify the train staff for help. If possible, choose a compartment located near the train staff to feel safer. This is one of the important experiences that you should not ignore to ensure the safety of yourself and your property throughout the trip.
3.8. Keep your personal belongings safe
Similar to locking your room door, you need to keep your personal belongings safe for the best train experience. Some valuable luggage such as phones, computers, wallets, and jewelry should be placed within sight. If you bring a lot of luggage, arrange important, valuable items in order of priority and place them under the bed for easy management. If there are any safety issues or loss of property, immediately notify the train staff for assistance.
3.9. Ask the train staff if you need help
While traveling on a sleeper train, it is very important to find and contact the staff when necessary. If you have any requests or problems related to the train or the care services, contact the staff for support and answers. In addition, the staff can also help you solve problems such as ordering food and drinks, providing blankets, pillows or even helping you change compartments if necessary.
In addition, contacting the staff also helps you learn more about the services and amenities on the train such as wifi, toilets, air conditioning… If you need support, do not hesitate to contact the staff to have a complete and comfortable sleeper train trip.
3.10. Enjoy the scenery outside the train window
Finally, to make your trip memorable and have beautiful memories, don’t forget to spend some time enjoying the wonderful scenery outside the train window. Usually, the train will pass through beautiful places, forests or rustic countryside, you can admire those wonderful scenery through the window. Not only does it bring an interesting experience, sightseeing also helps you entertain, relax and reduce stress after long hours of travel. Moreover, traveling by train is also an opportunity for you to freely “live virtual”.
You can experience our tour below:
Vietnam Luxury Adventure with SJourney Train – 13 Days
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Amazing Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Tour – Vietnam 7 Days Tour
4. Conclusion
Hopefully, with the experiences that Metta Voyage has shared, you will have an interesting and safe sleeper train trip. Don’t forget to visit our blog to see more interesting travel experiences.
5. Contact us
Website: www.mettavoyage.com
Email: [email protected]
Hotline 24/7: + 84 989 383 572
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