TRAVEL-TRAVEL: THE REUNIFICATION TRAIN

How did we get to Saigon from Hanoi? Well, there are three ways how, by bus, by plane and by train. So here's the thing, if we chose travelling by bus, we'll just be very tired by the time we arrive in Saigon, so a big X! If we chose flying in an airplane, we be spending a lot of ka-ching! It's the fastest, simplest, pagod-free and did I mention most expensive! So no, we didn't ride a plane (but if have the money, and you need to get to Saigon fast, then plane it is for you). And lastly, there's the reunification train! Yey! Alas, this one suits us, since we wanted to see the country sides, it's faster than a bus, cheaper than a plane, and we could lie down and sleep all day if we wanted to. 

The view in the countryside is just amazing that makes 35 hours in the train all worth it.

Okay, this is how things went on the day we almost missed our chance of getting on the train.  Early morning on that day we found out that
there's no seats or beds available on that said train. We haven't booked in advance so, we'll be damned (or we'll be very late on schedule) if we didn't leave that same night.

We arrived in Hanoi from our day trip in Halong Bay around 9:30/10pm. The next train to leave to Saigon is 11pm. We rented a cab (cabs in Hanoi are very expensive!), to go to the train station. We had a chit-chat with the driver and told him our problem, he decided that he would try and help us get ticket to the train and we promised we could pay extra if it means fulfilling his duty. So he tried and talked to the ticket lady, but then they really have sold out, then he talked to some people outside the train station (scalpers)  and he told us there are 6 bunk beds available for 100 USD each! (It's the same price if you purchase your tickets in travel agencies) It's a bargain! So we took a chance, got our tickets and ended up staying in the captain's bunk bed!  

If you're concerned about food, they sell food in the train push carts will be roaming in the morning, lunch and dinner. They also have noodles, so if you're looking for miryenda, just go to the first cabin and there's a little dining area there. The noodles costs about 20000VND (1USD). the rice meal about 60000VND (3USD)


There are toilets in every cabin. There is water supply but then it gets shut down in the wee hours of the night. The electricity is also turned off sometimes, there's an electric fan in each room, there's electric plug so you could bring laptops or charge your phones.

And if you're a foreigner in Vietnam, don't be surprised id the locals are a bit short-tempered because that's the way they are.

It was quite an experience, and thanks to kuya Tuan Anh (yes, that's his name, but my mother insisted that his name sounded like e-coli like the bacteria, but still, I have his phone number as a proof) we were able to go to Saigon in 35 hours time. Yes, 35 HOURS! 35 LONG HOURS!

We slept, or should I say I slept most of the time I'm in the train, because the bed's very comfy, and the chugging of the train is like a lullaby in my ears and the motion of the train is like a duyan to my body.

view from my bunk bed.

Top bed, best bed.

looks like the Philippines eh.

yes, we stayed at the master's cabin

There are 6 bunk bed in each room

breakfast. I don;t even know what it is, but I do remember the rice was so sticky and full of corn bits

you have to literally climb to get to the top bed

I was asleep, so my mom was the one who took these two photos (did I mention, all I did was sleep and eat in the train?)

south China sea

lunch consists of a very spicy fish (the almost black meat) and sayote and tofu

The very spicy noodles

Ga Saigon station