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Q: Has anyone made the train journey from China to Vietnam?
I am planning to make a visit to Vietnam on one of my upcoming trips to China. Mt partner wants to go on a group tour but i want to get the train and incorporate a visit to a few places in south China. For anyone has who made the train trip would you recommend it? Where did you start your trip from and where did you get off in Vietnam. Is there some worthwhile places to visit in Sth China around where you may then get the train?
12 years 4 weeks ago in Transport & Travel - China
I can give you some information on a Nanning-Hanoi train trip. FYI also, a bus trip is available too, cost about 150 Rmb each way, but must change bus at the border, and when arriving to Hanoi bus stops at station about 15 Kms from downtown hotels, and must take taxi, so savings will be used by taxi.
You must get a visa to enter Vietnam, can do in Nanning at Vietnamese Consulate here, cost about $ 45 US dollars per person, takes sometimes 3 days, sometimes 24 hours, depending on the mood of person there.
There is a daily train from Nanning to Hanoi, it leaves Nanning around 6 pm, arrives in Hanoi at 7 am next day. Cost for soft sleeper is 290 Rmb per person, 6 persons to a compartment. At the border you must go thru customs and immigration on both sides, Vietnamese do charge you 2 Rmb for their service, Chinese is free of charge. Your luggage or belongings must be checked too.
Months ago, you must change trains at border (line gauge was different), but Vietnam laid a new train track same as Chinese, so same train goes all the way to Hanoi From border is about 4 hours ride).
As far as places of interest to see either in Nanning, Hanoi and/or nearby cities, since I do not know your interests, it is hard to recommend. Suggest you Google places of interest or tourist attractions in Nanning, or Hanoi, or whichever city fancies you, anbd read on it and decide what to see.
Hey Woody, I used to live in Vietnam, Hanoi to be precise.
If you do decide to go by train, I'd highly recommend you get off at the Vietnamese border town (Lao Cai) and go to Sapa (30 mins by bus), which is absolutely gorgeous. Even if you've had enough of minority towns by that time, the scenery is gorgeous and it will break up the travelling time into easier chunks, too, since it's still a 9-10 hour ride to Hanoi from the border.
I don't really think you need to take a tour in Vietnam, it's easy enough to get around and the trains are very comfortable.
I can't help at all with the China side, but if you want any (ever so slightly out of date) advice on northern Vietnam, then please fell entirely free to message me
