Foreign tourists experience an unforgettable night train ride in Hanoi

She shared her experience on the American newspaper Business Insider .

Affordable fares from low-cost airlines can make a week in Bali or Phuket more affordable than staying in Singapore – consistently ranked as the world's most expensive city.

While flying is a regular occurrence, neither my 8-year-old daughter nor my 5-year-old son has ever been on an overnight train.

So when my husband came up with the idea of ​​flying to Hanoi and taking the train up to Sa Pa, in the mountains of northern Vietnam, I was excited to try something different.

It was a last-minute decision. The Vietjet ticket cost 180 Singapore dollars, or $131, despite being booked just two weeks before departure.

Hanoi Railway Station is located in a building over a hundred years old.

When I asked my travel company in Vietnam for advice on booking transport from Hanoi, they suggested booking train tickets.

And just like that, we were all off on an adventure in the mountains of Vietnam.

It wasn’t my first time in the Vietnamese capital. However, it was my first time with children, so I tried to navigate the winding motorbike-infested streets without watching myself. It turned out that walking at a steady pace confidently, with one arm outstretched into traffic and the other firmly holding my child’s hand, was the best way.

Less than 1 km from Hanoi's Old Quarter, we entered the train station on Le Duan Street.

The right decision

The Hanoi Railway Station building opened in 1902 and I noticed traces of French architecture in the steep roof and rows of skylights. Restorations have been carried out over the years, including the detailed facade on the outside of the building.

Simple boarding procedures

The waiting area on the upper level has plenty of seating. Large boards displaying train departure times can be found on both the first and second floors of the station.

There are three routes in operation: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi to Hai Phong and Hanoi to Sa Pa, the third of which we will soon board.

The disadvantage of the station is that there are no elevators or escalators to drag luggage, luckily we brought light luggage and could drag two wheels and backpacks over the overpass or down the stairs.

The boarding procedure was simple. A staff member was waiting outside the carriage and after checking our tickets, he led the four of us onto the train.

Passing the open doors, I peeked inside the other cabins. Some had king-sized beds, while others had two sets of bunk beds. We booked the latter for a ridiculously low price – $155 for four people.

Passengers can choose to book a whole room if they are willing to pay or just a bunk bed, which can be a great way to meet new fellow travelers.

Inside the train car with 4 beds

More comfortable than any flight

The cabin was spotlessly clean with white sheets and a down comforter. A tray with four bananas, Oreos, tea bags, wet wipes, toothbrushes, and bottles of water awaited us on the bedside table.

The kids were so excited about taking over the top bunk that my husband and I each had a bed downstairs.

There is plenty of storage in our room.

My husband is tall and had to make do with one of those wheeled suitcases to "extend" his legs. Still, he was much more comfortable on the train than any plane seat.

We stored our luggage under the bunk and in the overhead compartment, at the foot of the upper bunk, above the cabin door.

Snacks for passengers are quite thoughtful.

The kids spent the first 20 minutes climbing in, out, and between beds. We all wore comfortable clothes to avoid having to change into pajamas.

After settling down, I watched Hanoi fade away through the window.

The train pulled out of the station and rolled through the old town, level with the second floors of tall, narrow buildings, and I could see that most people's lights were off.

I saw a woman watching TV in the living room, a couple sitting on the balcony sipping tea, and a brightly lit fish tank shining through the window. Most houses had freshly washed clothes hanging out overnight.

The houses faded after a few minutes as we crossed a bridge. The lights were now coming from motorbikes driving on the single lane road, going the opposite direction of the train.

The bathroom was larger than what you'd find on an airplane. There was toilet paper, soap, and a clean sink. The constant rocking and swaying of the train put us all to sleep quickly. The kids were tucked safely into their beds and slept soundly through the night.

Our alarm clock rang at 5:30am and shortly after someone knocked on the door offering coffee and tea.

For the last 30 minutes of the trip, we all looked out the window at the changing landscape. The world here was much greener than the world we had left behind in the capital city of Hanoi.

Lao Cai station, where we got off the train, is not actually in Sa Pa. From here, you have to drive for an hour on the mountain road to Sa Pa.

Alexandra Karplus comfortably on a bed on the Hanoi - Sa Pa train

Crammed into a car with 12 other travelers, lots of suitcases, and bumpy roads, this part of the trip was less comfortable than the comfy bed I used to enjoy alone on the train.

Luckily, the surrounding mountains made the trip worth it.

Children are happiest wading across the river and bending under the trees, learning lessons from the nature and people of this land...

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/khach-nuoc-ngoai-trai-nghiem-chuyen-tau-dem-nho-doi-ha-noi-sa-pa-18524040211094524.htm