North-South Reunification Railway: The World's Most Impressive Train Journey in 2025

According to information from the Information Center, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the world's leading prestigious international travel magazine Lonely Planet, in its June 2025 issue, has suggested 24 of the world's best train journeys in 2025, with Vietnam's Thong Nhat train topping the list. This is the first time a Southeast Asian railway has taken the top spot in this prestigious annual ranking.

The Thong Nhat train, which connects Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, is one of the most popular railway routes in Southeast Asia, and also one of the most impressive train rides in the world .

The North-South Reunification Express train (also known as the Reunification Express), connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi , has a journey of 30 - 35 hours, with a distance of more than 1,700 km through lands rich in identity, diverse landscapes, from bustling urban areas to peaceful villages, from poetic coastal areas to vast fields, majestic mountain passes.

The article on Lonely Planet magazine shares: If you want to feel the beauty of Vietnam slowly, deeply and poetically, there is nothing better than stepping on the North-South Reunification Train. The Reunification Train connects a strip, from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, is one of the most favorite railway lines in Southeast Asia, and also one of the most impressive trains in the world.

From the heart of bustling Ho Chi Minh City, the train begins to roll, away from the high-rise buildings to gradually move towards the vast fields, the green mountains and the peaceful countryside. The steady sound of the iron wheels sliding over the rails becomes the background melody for the journey lasting more than 30 hours, not hurried, not noisy, just time, scenery and stories.

Unlike rushed flights or tiring bus journeys, traveling by train gives you the chance to slow down. You can choose a soft sleeper cabin with air conditioning for a comfortable rest, or a soft seat for those who like to enjoy the scenery while chatting. On the train, you can meet passengers from all over the world.

According to many train passengers, what makes the journey so special is not only the scenery, but also the experience of the local culture. The train stops at many prominent stations such as Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue, Vinh, Thanh Hoa... Passengers can enjoy food on the platform, next to the tracks with popular dishes in Vietnam, as well as regional specialties such as: Bread, chicken sticky rice, sour sausage... Just a few short minutes at each station is enough to feel the simple life of the people next to the small stations.

Lonely Planet praised the Reunification Express for its sustainability, culture and local connections. It is not just a means of transportation, but also a slow travel experience – a trend that is increasingly popular around the world. With air-conditioned sleeper cabins, passengers can relax, chat with international travelers, or simply watch the world go by from a train window.

Train journeys on Lonely Planet's list also include: California Zephyr (USA), Lake Titicaca (Peru), Beijing to Lhasa Express (China), TranzAlpine (New Zealand), Bergensbanen (Norway)...

Previously, in January 2025, Rail Europe - Europe's leading train service provider - also ranked Thong Nhat train 3rd in the list of "9 most worth-experiencing railway routes in the world" suggested by CEO Björn Bender. These titles are the world's recognition of Vietnam's railway line with a history of more than 100 years - a route that not only has a transportation significance but is also a symbol connecting the country and people of Vietnam. At the same time, this is also a positive signal for the Vietnamese tourism industry in its efforts to develop sustainable tourism products with deeper and more unique experiences.

Ngoc Bich (Vietnam News Agency)

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/du-lich/tuyen-tau-thong-nhat-bac-nam-hanh-trinh-tau-hoa-an-tuong-nhat-the-gioi-nam-2025-20250624131348202.htm