Ride the Reunification Express

Vietnam’s original train line was completed by the French in 1936 but much of this was destroyed during the devastating Vietnam War, or American War to the Vietnamese. It had to be rebuilt and was re-opened in 1976 and named the Re-Unification Express as a symbol of the newly unified Vietnam.  This impressive railway links the capital, Hanoi, in the north to the country’s largest city, Ho Chi Minh City, in the south running a total length of 1,726 km. It takes around 35 hours to travel between the two cities but only the most adventurous would do this in one go.

A ride on the Reunification Express is a great way to meet people, see more of Vietnam’s varied landscapes and experience another side to this amazing country. There are several overnight sections or short daytime sections which can easily be included on any trip to Vietnam. More information on train travel in Vietnam can be found in a previous blog.