Trains in Vietnam: how to buy a ticket on dsvn.vn, which class to choose and where to go
Vietnam train tickets are sold on dsvn.vn, the Vietnam Railways site, which has accepted foreign cards since 2024. The Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City main line is 1,726 km and takes 32–36 hours via Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. Classes: soft seat, 6-berth and 4-berth sleepers.
The easiest way to buy train tickets in Vietnam is dsvn.vn, the official Vietnam Railways site: since August 2024 it has accepted foreign bank cards through VNPAY, as well as Google Pay and Apple Pay. The Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City main line, 1,726 km, takes 32–36 hours with stops at Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. SE trains have three classes: soft seat, 6-berth hard sleeper and 4-berth soft sleeper. Your ticket arrives by email as a PDF with a QR code, which you show when boarding; the ticket details must match your passport.
| Route | Train | Time | More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City (full line) | SE | about 32–36 hours | — |
| Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang | SE, overnight SNT | about 8 hours overnight | HCMC to Nha Trang |
| Nha Trang – Da Nang | SE | 9.5–11 hours | Nha Trang to Da Nang |
| Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang | SE | 16.5–19.5 hours | HCMC to Da Nang |
| Ho Chi Minh City – Phan Thiet (Mui Ne) | SPT | about 4 hours | getting to Mui Ne |
| Da Nang – Hue | tourist «Kết nối di sản» | about 3 hours | Da Nang to Hue |
How do you buy a train ticket in Vietnam?
Buy Vietnam train tickets on dsvn.vn under «Tìm vé»: choose stations and date, carriage and seat, enter your passport details and pay. Since August 2024 the site accepts foreign bank cards via VNPAY, plus Google Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. Station ticket offices and machines also sell tickets — in Nha Trang (at the post office), Ho Chi Minh City (Central Post Office) and Da Lat station. Saigon station hotline: 1900 1520.
Which class should you choose?
SE trains have three classes: soft seat (ngồi mềm), a 6-berth hard sleeper with three-tier bunks (nằm khoang 6) and a 4-berth soft sleeper with two-tier bunks (nằm khoang 4). For overnight travel the 4-berth compartment is more comfortable, and lower bunks are easier with luggage. Soft seats suit daytime legs of up to 4–5 hours, such as Ho Chi Minh City – Phan Thiet. Luggage travels with you in the carriage.
If the train times don't work for you, compare with the sleeper bus: luggage, seatbelts and tickets are covered in sleeper buses in Vietnam.
How do you board with an e-ticket?
The e-ticket arrives by email as a PDF with a QR code — that's your boarding pass. Arrive 30–60 minutes early, screenshot the QR in case your connection drops, and keep your passport handy: the name and document number on the ticket must match. If something's wrong, the station ticket office can help with your passport.
Can you change or refund a ticket?
Since 15 May 2026 you can change a ticket online at dsvn.vn: at least 24 hours before departure and once only — you can change the date or time, not the route or passenger details. A confirmation code is sent to your phone or email. Refunds and complex cases go through the station ticket office with your original passport.
When should you buy Tet tickets?
Tet train tickets sell out first. For Tet 2027 sales opened on 5 September 2026: the railway released about 300,000 tickets for travel from 23 January to 25 February 2027, up to 10 tickets each way per person. If you're travelling then, check seat availability on dsvn.vn as early as possible.
What is the Da Nang – Hue tourist train?
«Kết nối di sản» ("Heritage Connection") is a tourist train between Da Nang and Hue over the Hai Van Pass, launched in March 2024. Two return services a day, morning and afternoon, about 3 hours each way, five soft-seat carriages with 250 seats. It's a way to see the pass from the window without a car. More in Da Nang to Hue.
FAQ
Where do you buy train tickets in Vietnam? On dsvn.vn, the official railway site, at station ticket offices and machines.
Can you pay with a foreign card? Yes, since August 2024 via VNPAY, plus Google Pay and Apple Pay.
How long is the Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City train? 1,726 km, 32–36 hours.
Which class is best overnight? The 4-berth soft sleeper.
Can you change a ticket online? Yes, since 15 May 2026 on dsvn.vn — once, at least 24 hours before departure.