Home › Journeys › Hanoi to Saigon by Rail
Hanoi to Saigon by Rail: the Day-by-Day Itinerary
The Reunification Express runs the length of Vietnam, and the country unrolls outside the window. Limestone karst towers over Ninh Binh's rice paddies, imperial Huế gives way to lantern-lit Hoi An, and the train hugs the cliffs of the Hải Vân Pass before rolling into Saigon's scooter swarm. There's a bowl of pho waiting at every stop.
Hanoi to Saigon by Rail is a 1700 km one-way journey (by rail). It works best as 7–13 days; the plan below is the 10-day version for February, built from 795 verified places, with timetable-estimated transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Customize this plan → 7-day plan · 10-day plan · 13-day plan · best time to go
10
days
1700 km
distance
30.9 h
on trains
62
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- North is cool and drizzly, south is dry and warm — pack for both.
- Heavy transit: day 3 (10h49), day 9 (7h38), day 10 (8h22) run over 6 hours on the road. Around 11 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Hanoi → Ninh Binh
🌡 5.8–33.7°C · 🌧 ~3 rain days · ☀ 11.3h light
09:00
Hanoi Museumlocal & traditionalmuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Discover local natural and human history through the ages.
50 min · Hanoi · Free
open: Tu-Su 08:00-11:30 & 13:30-17:00
09:50
National Museum of Vietnamese Historymuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Trace Vietnam's rich struggle through detailed exhibits.
50 min · Hanoi · 40,000 dong for both
open: Daily 08:00-12:00 and 13:30-17:00, except first Monday of month
10:40
Vietnam Military History Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
View vast artifacts in a modern, expansive compound.
50 min · Hanoi · Entry fee 40,000 dong; free for under-16
open: Tu-Th Sa Su 08:00-11:30 & 13:00-16:30; closed M F
13:14
Tam Coc Museumlocal & traditionalmuseums & heritage
Discover traditional farming tools and rural life exhibits.
50 min · Ninh Binh
14:04
Bai Dinh Templehistory & sagas
See Vietnam's largest pagoda tower glowing at night.
50 min · Ninh Binh · Free entrance, motorbike parking 15,000
open: 07:00 to 20:00, entrance to the large tower until 17:00
14:54
Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binhmuseums & heritage
Observe rescued bears roaming freely in a protected haven.
50 min · Ninh Binh
open: 09:00-17:00 daily
15:44
Trung Tuyet Restaurantcoffee & bakes
Savor hearty portions of local dishes in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
60 min · Ninh Binh
open: Open late
18:30
Chookie's Beer Gardencraft beer & pubs
Relax with tasty burgers and smoothies in a lush garden, away from the bustling streets.
75 min · Ninh Binh
open: Open from 09:00
Overnight: Ninh Binh
e.g. Ngoc Anh Hotel · Queen Mini Hotel
Day 2 Around Ninh Binh
🌡 5.8–33.7°C · 🌧 ~3 rain days · ☀ 11.3h light
09:00
Bich Dong Pagodahistory & sagas
Touch resonant stone and see carved temples in a mountain.
50 min · Ninh Binh · Free. Parking 20,000 dong, or free on th
09:50
Mua Cavehistory & sagas
Gaze at panoramic countryside views from a hilltop temple.
50 min · Ninh Binh · 100,000 dong entrance fee + 10,000 dong
10:40
Hoa Lu Ancient Capitalhistory & sagas
Walk among weathered temples of an ancient royal site.
50 min · Ninh Binh · 20,000 dong. Entrance to Xuyen Thuy cave
11:30
Khe Coc Islandmuseums & heritage
Spot film set remnants from Kong: Skull Island.
50 min · Ninh Binh · 20,000 dong, 300,000 dong combo ticket w
12:20
Tam Coc
Glide through serene caves flanked by towering karst formations and lush rice fields.
90 min · Ninh Binh · 150,000 dong per boat (maximum 2 foreign
open: Daily, last boat starts at 17:30 summer, 16:30 winter
13:50
Hoa Son Cave Templehistory & sagas
50 min · Ninh Binh
14:40
Pho bò 24local & traditional
Enjoy freshly cooked pho in a simple, authentic local eatery with friendly service.
60 min · Ninh Binh
Overnight: Ninh Binh
e.g. Ngoc Anh Hotel · Queen Mini Hotel
Day 3 Hue
🌡 13.2–33.2°C · 🌧 ~4 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
19:49
Garden river Bar coffeecoffee & bakescraft beer & pubsmuseums & heritage
Enjoy coffee by the river, listening to music in an amazing garden.
75 min · Hue
open: 7am-10h30 pm
Overnight: Hue
e.g. Homeland Hotel · Canary Hotel
See the remaining 7 days of the 10-day plan →
Route map
Similar journeys
- Armenia's Monasteries & Mountains — 650 km loop · 5–7 days
- Baku & the Caucasus Foothills — 700 km loop · 5–7 days
- Angkor to the Cambodian Coast — Siem Reap → Kampot · 5–8 days