Train Stations in Vietnam

Hanoi Railway Station

 Address: 
Gate A (Main Gate): No. 120 Le Duan Street, Hoan Kiem District, 
Gate B: Tran Quy Cap Street, Hoan Kiem District.

 Name in Vietnamese: Ga Hà Nội (“Ga” means Station)

 Distance to Noi Bai Airport: 30km

Built in 1902, Hanoi Station is the biggest and most important train station in Vietnam. The total area is more than 216,000 square meters. Hanoi railway station presents strong French romantic amorous feelings through beige wall and Mengsha roof. It connects many trains from North to South, and the trains pass through the most famous tourism cities like Lao Cai (Sapa), Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City. These trains includes SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7 and SE19.

All trains to South depart from gate A, like route Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City. Trains to North will depart from Gate B, like route Hanoi - Lao Cai. Waiting hall and self-service ticket machine are available at this station. Most railway staff are not able to speak English but the in the station there is a service window for international passengers. 

Hanoi Railway Station

Hanoi Station Ticket Window

 Gia Lam Station in Hanoi

Another railway station in Hanoi is Gia Lam, which is a small station located at Nguyen Van Cu，Gia Lam District. From Gia Lam Station to Hanoi downtown area, you could take taxi, which takes about 20min. The international train from Nanning (China) to Hanoi arrives at 04:45am at Gia Lam Station. Travels could also purchase tickets to Lao Cai, Sapa and Hai Phone at this station.

Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh City) Railway Station

 Address: No. 1 Nguyen Thong, 9 Ward, 3 District, Ho Chi Minh City
 Name in Vietnamese: Ga Sài Gòn (“Ga” means Station)
 Distance to Tan Son Nhat International Airport: 16km

Since the end of the Vietnamese war, the official name for this city has been Ho Chi Minh City. However, Saigon is the city's historic and traditional name. In fact, it still appears as Sai Gon in all Vietnam railway schedule, it also show “Sai Gon” on your train ticket. On the station’s building, you could also “Sai Gon” in big letters. The ruling elite may call it Ho Chi Minh, but everyone else calls it Saigon. 

Saigon Station is the traffic center in South Vietnam, and also the north end of the Reunification Express. All trains to North depart from this station, such as train SE2, SE4, SE6, SE8, SE22 and SPT2. Trains from Saigon station run for many famous tourism cities like Nha Trang, Da Nang and Hue. Waiting hall and self-service ticket machine are available in the station. Ticket hall is at the 2nd floor. Passengers can buy ticket at 1st floor after 20:00.

Saigon Station Service Counter

Saigon Station Waiting Hall

Da Nang Railway Station

 Address: No. 791 Hai Phong Street, Thanh Khe District, Da Nang City
 Name in Vietnamese: Ga Đà Nẵng (“Ga” means Station)
 Distance to Da Nang International Airport: 3km

Da Nang station is an important train station in Vietnam. It is not very big. Passengers need to go through electronic ticket gate at Waiting Hall before boarding. The most obvious mark is an old steam locomotive outside. Most passengers choose to take train here to watch beautiful coastal scenery. 

Most travelers take train to Da Nang will visit Hoi An, which is a very popular ancient town in Vietnam. From Danang to Hoi An, the distance is only about 30km. Taxi is the most convenient and easiest option. You don’t need to book it in advance. It takes about 40-50 minutes, and costs USD15 to USD25. You could also take public bus, the bus stop is only 5-min walk from Da Nang Railway station.

Danang Station Waiting Area

Danang Station Ticket Window

Lao Cai Railway Station

 Address: 26A, Tp. Lào Cai
 Name in Vietnamese: Ga Lào Cai (“Ga” means Station)
 Distance to Sapa: 37km

As a popular destination in Vietnam, Sapa doesn’t have its own railway station. As the closest station to Sapa, Lao Cai becomes an important station for tourists who travel from Hanoi to Sapa. Although it is a small station, most of the tourist trains in Vietnam are running the route of Hanoi - Lao Cai. 

From Lao Cai to Sapa, you could take taxi or the public bus. Taxi costs about USD20, while the public bus only around USD2. The public buses are 29 seaters’ vehicle, the bus station is just at the big square in front of Lao Cai train station. The buses operate between 05:10 and 20:15, departing frequency is from 30 to 60 minutes.