Comfortable Journeys
The railway sector has put into operation the second generation
Reunification Train (TH2) in an effort to improve service quality and
save travel time for passengers. Following are some essential
information for tourists wishing to travel by train.
Quality trains. The TH2 is a completely newly built train with a width of
2.2 meters, 20 centimeters larger than normal trains. All its carriages
are equipped with air conditioning systems with adjustable levels
and adequate lighting. In particular, the train has strong glasses
without protective nets, ensuring the beauty for the train and offering
an open view for passengers.
Schedule. The TH2 travels between Hanoi and Saigon in 32 hours. It
departs at Hanoi Railway Station at 9:00 p.m. and arrives in HCM City
at 5:00 a.m. on the day after the following day. Departure in
November is on even days. The train stops by railway stations of
Vinh, Dong Hoi, Hue, Danang, Dieu Tri and Nha Trang cities before
arrival at Saigon Railway Station. The stop-by time is 5-7 minutes.
Passengers can buy local specialties at the stop-by stations or
mobile carts aboard.
Dining. According to Vu Van Trung, vice technical director of Hanoi
Railway Station, passengers on the TH2 train enjoy the same dining
service as those on the TH1 train. They are served two meals and a
supper. Breakfast, which costs VND7,000, may be pho, noodle soup
or rice porridge. The two remaining meals, each costs VND15,000,
offer nutritious food including fish, meat, vegetables, etc. The food is
strictly controlled for hygiene. All passengers, regardless of their
ticket class (sleeping berth or seat), pay the same for the meal. If
possible, the service staff can meet their own dining demand. If
passengers want extra dishes, they must order in advance upon
boarding the train or in the morning. At meal time, service staff bring
food on the cart right to passengers' seats.
Conveniences. All the carriages are equipped with modern
conveniences such as complete toilet facilities. Passengers can
read more than 10 magazines, weekly papers and dailies. They can
also enjoy music from cassettes.
Fares. Tickets are sold at all stations where the TH2 stops by. The
ticket hours at Hanoi Railway Station are 7-12 a.m and 1-8:50 p.m. All
carriages of the TH2 have air conditioning systems but fares are
unchanged. The fares of a sleeping berth
(a carriage has six sleeping berths on three levels (L), 1, 2 and 3) for a
journey from Hanoi to Saigon, including halts, are given in the box
below.
The fares for a journey from Saigon to Hanoi are the same.
Passengers can also buy tickets for sleeping berths in a four-berth
carriage but prices are higher. Tickets can be sold over telephone of
stop-by stations. They can be home delivered free if requested.
Vinh station: L1: VND130,000, L2: VND119,000, L3: VND100,000
Dong Hoi station: L1: VND212,000, L2: VND195,000, L3: VND164,000
Hue station: L1: VND281,000, L2: VND256,000, L3: VND216,000
Danang station: L1: VND322,000, L2: VND295,000, L3: VND248,000
Dieu Tri station: L1: VND447,000, L2: VND408,000, L3: VND343,000
Nha Trang station: L1: VND585,000, L2: VND535,000, L3: VND450,000
Saigon station: L1: VND703,000, L2: VND642,000, L3: VND539,000
Comments of the webmaster : These prices are not surely the same for foreigners, especially for westerners.
The Saigon Times Weekly - November 18, 2000.
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