Vietnam Train Ticket Booking Guide: Official Prices, Live Seat Map & Deals on Vexere

Navigating the Vietnam railway system can feel like solving a puzzle. If you are wondering how to book Vietnam train tickets without getting scammed, or where to buy train tickets in Vietnam that accept foreign cards, you are in the right place.

From the misty mountains of Sapa to the breathtaking coastal curves of the Hai Van Pass, the “Reunification Express” offers a window into the soul of Vietnam. However, finding how to buy train tickets in Vietnam can be tricky due to payment failures and “copycat” websites.

This guide cuts through the noise. We will show you exactly how to book a train in Vietnam safely, avoid the “foreigner tax,” and secure the best seats.

Why Travel by Train in Vietnam?

Travel by train in Vietnam is a scenic, relaxing, and affordable way to see the country. It allows you to avoid the chaos of traffic jams and the stress of busy airports, offering a unique ground-level perspective of the landscape.

While budget airlines might be faster, the train combines transportation and accommodation for long distances, allowing you to save both time and hotel costs on overnight journeys. Here is why you should consider trading travel time for travel memories:

• The Scenery: The lines often run along the coast or through lush mountains, providing views unavailable from the highway. The route between Da Nang and Hue (Hai Van Pass) is particularly famous, hugging the cliff edge with stunning views of the East Sea.
• The Culture: Trains in Vietnam are social. It’s “Slow Travel” at its best: sharing snacks with a local family or watching the countryside roll by with a Vietnamese coffee in hand.
• The Comfort & Efficiency: Unlike cramping into an economy flight seat, trains offer space to move. Options range from soft seats to 4-berth sleeper cabins, allowing you to sleep while traveling and wake up at your destination ready to explore.
• The Value: With rising airfares, trains remain a cost-effective option that is often cheaper than flying. It connects you to the rhythm of the country in a relaxing, stress-free way that is impossible from 30,000 feet.

Where to Buy Vietnam Train Tickets?

To ensure a smooth journey, travelers typically choose between the government’s direct portal, official partners, or buying in person. We have compared these options based on payment reliability for international cards and ease of use to help you decide.

Booking Channel	Price	Payment Reliability (Intl. Cards)	Best For
Vexere (Official Partner)	Official Price (No Hidden Fees)	High. Native support for Visa/Mastercard	Most Travelers (Best Value & Support)
Official Site (dsvn.vn)	Official Price	Low. Often rejects foreign banks due to 3D-Secure conflicts.	Budget travelers with local cards
In Person (Station)	Official Price	Medium. 100% success but requires travel time & queuing.	Last-minute / Flexible travelers

Option 1: Vexere (The Recommended Choice)

Booking on Vexere is often cheaper than buying directly at the station. Because Vexere is an official partner, you get the best of both worlds: the standard Vietnam Railways discounts plus exclusive Vexere coupons. It’s essentially “double-dipping” on savings.

• Double Discounts: You get all official Vietnam Railways reductions (up to 30% for early booking, round-trip deals) and Vexere’s exclusive coupons (e.g., New User deals, Group Booking discounts, or E-wallet promotions).
• Transparent Pricing: What you see is what you pay. There are no hidden fees or “foreigner taxes.”
• Seamless Payment: Native support for International Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard) means no frustrated “Payment Failed” screens.
• Flexible Management & English Support: Vexere simplifies itinerary adjustments by allowing users to request refunds or change schedules directly via the app or website. Furthermore, a dedicated English-speaking customer support team is available to assist international travelers.

Option 2: The Official Site (dsvn.vn)

This is the direct government portal. It offers the standard base fare. However, the interface can be tricky for first-time users, and the payment gateway is notoriously strict with foreign IP addresses and banking protocols.

• Note: If your payment fails, your selected seats may be locked for 10-20 minutes, preventing you from re-booking immediately.

Option 3: In Person (Train Stations)

Buying directly at the counter (Hanoi, Da Nang, Saigon stations) is a reliable “old-school” method. It eliminates digital payment errors but requires you to physically go to the station, queue up, and bring your original passport (photos are often not accepted).

⚠️ Smart Traveler Tip: Be cautious of websites that look like the official railway page but charge 2-3 times the actual price. Always book on Vexere or the Official DSVN site to ensure you get the official price without markups.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Book on Vexere

As an official partner of Vietnam Railways, Vexere provides a streamlined platform for booking your train travel. Follow these 6 steps to secure your tickets instantly.

Pro Tip: You do not need to print your ticket. Vietnam Railways accepts the QR code on your smartphone. Just brighten your screen when the conductor comes by.

Step 1: Visit Vexere.com or App

Start your journey by accessing the official Vexere website or opening the mobile app. This ensures you are on the verified platform, avoiding the “fake” agency sites mentioned earlier.

Step 2: Enter Your Trip Details

Input your departure and arrival stations (e.g., type “Saigon” for Ho Chi Minh City), select your travel date, and the number of passengers.

• Booking Tip: For popular routes like Hanoi–Sapa or Danang–Hue, try to book 2-3 weeks in advance. During the Tet Holiday rush, tickets often sell out months early, so monitor the opening dates closely.

Step 3: Choose Your Train & Seat Type

Browse live schedules and use the filters to compare train codes (SE vs TN) before using the Visual Seat Map to pick your spot.

Deciding on the Train (SE vs TN): When scanning the schedule, pay close attention to the train code prefix. Vietnam Railways differentiates service quality by these letters.

• SE Trains (Super Express): The best choice. These feature newer carriages, fewer stops, and faster travel times between major cities.
• TN/Local Trains: Older, slower trains that stop at almost every provincial station. Only book these if you are on a strict budget or traveling to a minor destination.

How to Pick a Smart Seat: Instead of letting the system randomly assign your place, use Vexere’s visual map to strategically select your location within the carriage.

• Avoid the ends: Seats 1-4 or the very last row are typically right next to the sliding doors and toilets. These areas tend to be noisy and can be smelly.
• Elderly: Always pick a “Lower Berth” (Level 1) in sleeper cabins to avoid the difficulty of climbing ladders.
• Groups: Use the map to verify that your selected beds are in the same 4-berth cabin so your family stays together.

Step 4: Add Passenger Information

Enter the full name and ID/Passport number for each traveler exactly as it appears on their documents.

• Critical: Station staff will check your physical passport against the ticket before boarding. Even a small typo in the ID number can cause boarding issues, so double-check this field.

Step 5: Complete Secure Payment

Finalize your transaction securely using International Credit or Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB). All payments on the platform are protected with SSL encryption.

• Global Payment Support: You do not need a Vietnamese bank account here. The system effectively processes foreign cards, ensuring your payment goes through immediately so you can secure your booking without technical errors.

Step 6: Receive Your E-Ticket Instantly

Once successful, you will receive your e-ticket via email or directly in the app.

• Action: Take a screenshot or save the QR code to your phone gallery immediately. This ensures you can still open your ticket at the station even if you don’t have an internet connection.

Understanding Seat Classes: How to Book Sleeper Train Vietnam

The terms “Hard” and “Soft” can be confusing for first-time visitors. In Vietnam, this refers to the mattress thickness and passenger density, not just the material. Your choice of carriage will define your entire journey, so here is our expert breakdown to help you decide.

1. Soft Sleeper (4-Berth Cabin): The “Hotel on Wheels”

This is the premier choice for overnight comfort and privacy. Each cabin contains just 4 beds (2 levels) with a lockable door, creating a quiet sanctuary separate from the corridor noise.

• The Experience: You get a thick, comfortable mattress, fresh bedding (duvet & pillow), and usually a power outlet at the head of each bunk. There is ample storage space under the bottom bunks for large suitcases.
• Best For: Families, couples, or anyone valuing a good night’s sleep on long routes (e.g., Hanoi to Hue).
• 💡 Expert Tip: If you are a group of 3, consider buying the 4th ticket (at child price) to book out the entire cabin. It guarantees total privacy.

2. Hard Sleeper (6-Berth Cabin): The Backpacker’s Hub

Don’t let the name scare you, there is still a mattress, though it is thinner than the Soft Sleeper. The main difference is density: each cabin has 6 beds stacked in 3 tiers.

Know Your Level:

• Level 1 (Bottom): The most expensive and comfortable. You can sit up straight and slide your luggage underneath.
• Level 2 (Middle): A bit cramped. You cannot sit up fully without hitting your head.
• Level 3 (Top): The cheapest option. It is very close to the AC vent (pack a hoodie!) and requires some agility to climb the ladder.

The Reality Check: While great for socializing and saving money, the “headroom warning” is real. If you are claustrophobic or over 180cm tall, spend the extra few dollars for a Soft Sleeper.

3. Soft Seat (AC): The Scenic Commuter

Think of this as a Premium Economy flight seat, but with way more legroom. These carriages are open-plan with plush, reclining seats and large panoramic windows.

• The Experience: Modern trains feature TV screens playing Vietnamese shows and plenty of overhead luggage space. It is a fantastic, budget-friendly way to travel during the day.
• Best For: Short to medium trips (under 6 hours).
• ⚠️ Insider Note: The Air Conditioning on Vietnamese trains is notoriously strong (often Arctic cold). Even if it is 35°C outside, always bring a light jacket or blanket for the ride.

4. Hard Seat: The “Raw” Local Experience

Strictly for the adventurous. These are wooden benches (sometimes with a thin pad) in non-AC carriages with open windows.

• The Reality: It is noisy, crowded, and smoky (smoking is often tolerated between carriages). However, it offers an unfiltered look at local life that you won’t find in the tourist cabins.
• Verdict: We generally do not recommend this for long-haul travel. Only book this for very short hops (1-2 hours) if you want to experience the railway as it was decades ago.

Route Specific Insider Guides

Vietnam’s railway network spans over 1,700 kilometers, and not every journey is straightforward. Some routes require specific local knowledge, such as knowing which station entrance to use or which side of the train offers the best views.

Hanoi to Sapa (Lao Cai)

• The “Station B” Rule: This is critical. Trains to Sapa do not depart from the main Hanoi Station entrance on Le Duan street. They depart from Station B (Tran Quy Cap Street), which is behind the main station. If you go to the main entrance, you face a 15-minute frantic run around the block.
• The “Last Mile”: The train terminates in Lao Cai city, which is at the Chinese border. Sapa town is still 45-60 minutes away up the mountain. On VeXeRe, you can often book the transfer bus in a combo, saving you from haggling with taxi drivers at 5:00 AM.

Da Nang to Hue (Hai Van Pass)

• The “Window Seat” Strategy: This 3-hour journey is famous for ocean views. Don’t book a sleeper, as you won’t see anything. Book a Soft Seat.
  • Heading North (Da Nang -> Hue): Sit on the Right side.
  • Heading South (Hue -> Da Nang): Sit on the Left side.
• Use VeXeRe’s visual map to pick exactly these seats.

Essential Logistics & FAQs

Luggage & Lockers There is no strict weight limit like airlines, but space is the issue. Soft sleepers have storage under the bottom bunk (fits large suitcases). Hard sleepers are tighter. If you are in Hanoi and have time to kill, there are automated lockers in the main hall (look for the blue and yellow lockers) costing about 50,000 VND for 4 hours.

Toilets: Western vs. Squat Newer SE trains usually have Western toilets at one end of the carriage and a squat toilet at the other. Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer. The cleanliness degrades as the journey gets longer.

Changing or Canceling Tickets If you book via DSVN or a station, canceling requires physically going to the station counter with your passport. If you book via VeXeRe, you can submit a request via the app/email. Check the specific refund policy of your ticket class, as some promo fares are non-refundable.

Vietnam railway offers a rare chance to slow down and see the country from a different perspective, one that highway buses simply cannot match. Don’t let the stress of complicated booking systems or risky websites derail your excitement. By choosing a transparent, official partner like Vexere, you ensure that the only surprise you encounter is the breathtaking view outside your window. We handle the technicalities so you can focus on what matters: enjoying the ride.

Search Vietnam Train Tickets on VeXeRe