The heritage train Hue Da Nang offers a stunning 100km coastal journey. It is the best way to enjoy Hai Van Pass and local culture with great service and views.
I was truly impressed by the Hue – Da Nang Heritage Train because it’s the most beautiful coastal route I’ve ever seen in Vietnam. The combination of majestic natural scenery and traditional music right on the train made this journey extremely attractive and worth experiencing.
03 things to know about the Central Vietnam Heritage Railway
I just completed a trip on the Hue – Da Nang Heritage Railway last month and was truly overwhelmed by the beauty of this route. Below are three important things I learned from my experience to help you better prepare for your trip:
#1. General information about the train
This isn’t just an ordinary passenger train; the heritage train Hue to Danang is a travel journey designed to connect the heritage of Central Vietnam. Spanning approximately 100km, the train takes you through the Hai Van Pass, one of the most beautiful coastal railways I’ve ever seen in the world.
A special feature is the communal carriage offering Hue folk music and local cuisine, creating a truly authentic Vietnamese cultural atmosphere, an experience that rivals the comfort and ambiance found on a 1st class sleeper train Vietnam.
#2. Daily schedule of the Hue – Da Nang Heritage Train
There are four daily trips of the connecting central heritage train (HD1 to HD4) running in both directions between Hue and Da Nang. I carefully checked the schedule to avoid missing the most beautiful light displays along the route, and there are four dedicated HD-numbered journeys serving tourists every day.
- Afternoon trip from Hue to Da Nang:
- Option 1: Depart around 7:30 AM – Arrive at 10:30 AM.
- Activity 3: Departure around 14:25 – Arrival at 18:00.
- Afternoon trip from Da Nang to Hue:
- Activity 2: Departure around 07:50 – Arrival at 11:00.
- Activity 4: Departure around 14:50 – Arrival at 17:50.
In my experience, morning departures (around 7:30 – 7:50 AM) are ideal because the sunlight is perfect for photographing Lang Co Bay. Each trip lasts about 3 hours, a sufficient amount of time to relax and admire the magical changes in the scenery outside the window.
#3. Reference ticket prices for foreign tourists
The ticket prices on the heritage train Hue Da Nang are very reasonable and consistent for both locals and international tourists. This surprised me, as the prices are extremely affordable compared to the quality of service, and the same fare applies to everyone regardless of nationality.
- Weekdays (Monday – Friday): 180,000 VND/ticket (approximately 7 USD).
- Weekend (Saturday & Sunday): 210,000 VND/ticket (approximately 8 USD).
- Short leg (Lang Co – Da Nang): The price ranges from 90,000 to 100,000 VND.
For an incredibly low cost (only about $8), you get a comfortable soft seat, cool air conditioning, and exciting cultural privileges throughout the journey.
Little-known privileges of the connecting central heritage train
I always thought that taking a train was just about getting from point A to point B, until I stepped onto this heritage train in Central Vietnam. It was truly a cultural and visual “feast” that anyone visiting Vietnam should experience at least once in their lifetime. Below are some of the amazing privileges I personally experienced:
#1. Cultural Space: Enjoy Hue cuisine and listen to Hue folk songs.
Unlike the typical seating or sleeping carriages you usually see on the Vietnamese railway system, this train has two dedicated communal carriages for passengers. These are the “heart” of the entire train.
Hue chamber music stage: I was truly amazed when I stepped into the carriage, decorated in the traditional royal style. Amidst the rhythmic clatter of the train wheels on the tracks, artists in traditional ao dai costumes began performing Hue chamber music melodies such as Nam Binh, Phu Luc, Co Ban… The feeling of the zither and pipa blending with the sea breeze of Hai Van Pass was an unforgettable experience.
A feast of Central Vietnamese specialties: This community center is like a mini food market. I had the opportunity to sample famous Hue dishes such as banh nam, banh loc, and banh beo, with their translucent dough and flavorful shrimp filling.
Discover unusual dishes: Interestingly, I got to try “green banana flour bread”—a strange combination I’d never heard of before. In addition, various teas, salted coffee, and specialty noodles from Da Nang were also available.A small note from me: These dishes are charged separately, but the prices are very reasonable, so don’t hesitate to order a table full of them to take photos and enjoy!
#2. Visual Experience: The Most Beautiful Railway Route in Vietnam
Although this train doesn’t have sleeping berths, you won’t want to sleep because the view outside the window is so breathtaking. The soft seats and cool air conditioning made my 3-hour journey very comfortable.
Crossing the “World’s Most Magnificent Pass”: The train winds along the mountain slopes of Hai Van Pass. This is the most precious moment, with sheer cliffs on one side and a deep ravine plunging straight down into the azure sea on the other. The large windows in the communal carriage are the ideal spot to capture this breathtaking view.
Stopover point at Lang Co station: The train will stop for about 10 minutes at Lang Co station. In my opinion, this is the “golden time” to get out of your seat, step off the train, and breathe in the salty sea air. With a view directly overlooking Lang Co Bay – one of the most beautiful bays in the world – you’re sure to get some “million-view” check-in photos right here.
#3. Privileges from the “powerful” train ticket
This is something many travelers often miss because they tend to throw away their tickets after getting off the train. But with this heritage train, your ticket (or QR code) is worth even more than that:
- City transportation deals: After getting off at Hue or Da Nang train station, I used the same train ticket to get a discount on the double-decker bus tour of the city. This was extremely convenient for independent travelers like me.
- Connecting tour packages: This ticket also entitles you to discounts at affiliated local restaurants or reduced prices when booking eco-tours such as exploring Tam Giang Lagoon. Remember to ask staff or check the information on your ticket to avoid wasting these economic “privileges”.
This train journey truly redefined the concept of rail travel for me, a slow journey to more deeply appreciate the natural beauty and cultural soul of Central Vietnam.
Guide on how to buy tickets for the heritage train Hue Da Nang
Booking tickets for this trip was actually much simpler than I thought, even for a foreigner like me who isn’t very familiar with the roads. To ensure you get a seat with the best sea view, follow the instructions below:
- Accessing the system online: The quickest way is to visit the official Vietnam Railways website at dsvn.vn. The website supports English, making it very easy for international travelers to navigate.
- Choose your itinerary: Enter your departure/arrival point as Hue or Da Nang, then make sure to select the correct train with the specified code. Activity 1, Activity 2, Activity 3, or Activity 4. This is the fish.This is a unique identification number for heritage trains, different from regular passenger trains.
- Choose your seat: This is the most important tip I’ve learned! If you’re traveling from Hue to Da Nang, prioritize choosing seats on the left (facing the sea). Conversely, if you’re traveling from Da Nang to Hue, choose seats on the right to get a full view of Hai Van Pass.
- Payment and ticket collection: The system accepts various international payment cards and e-wallets. Once completed, an e-ticket with a QR code will be sent to your email.
- Buy tickets directly (if needed): If you can’t book online, you can still go directly to the ticket counter at Hue Station or Da Nang Station. However, I recommend booking at least 3-5 days in advance because this train is always very crowded, especially on weekends.
Simply save the QR code to your phone and arrive at the station about 30 minutes before departure time, and you can leisurely begin your adventure.
05 tips for buying train tickets to get the best sea view seats
For a perfect journey on this cruise, following a reliable travel Vietnam guide and securing a seat with an “unobstructed” view of Lang Co Bay is paramount. Below are five practical tips I’ve compiled from my trip to help you avoid missing the most precious moments through the window:
- The “Left to go – Right to return” principle: This is a crucial rule for enjoying the sea view on the heritage train Hue to Danang. If you’re traveling from Hue to Da Nang, choose seats on the left side of the train to get the best coastal views. Conversely, if you’re traveling from Da Nang to Hue, you should absolutely choose seats on the right side.
- Seat selection is prioritized based on whether the carriage is odd or even: On the ticket booking website, you should observe the train car layout. Typically, odd-numbered rows (1, 3, 5…) or rows marked A/B (depending on the specific layout) will be located near the windows facing the sea. Carefully check the seating chart before confirming payment.
- Avoid positions obstructing the carriage walls: Some seats are located right in the plastic frame between the windows, restricting your view. My tip is to choose seats in the middle of the carriage (for example, from seat 10 to 30) for the widest and clearest view, avoiding the front or back rows.
- Move to the community carriages (Carriage 1 and Carriage 10): If you unfortunately can’t get a window seat, move to the communal carriage as soon as the train enters the Hai Van Pass. These carriages have much larger windows and more open space, allowing you to freely stand, admire the scenery, and take photos without being confined to your seat.
- Book your tickets at least 5 days in advance: This heritage train is extremely popular, especially on the heritage train from da nang to hue, and seats with ocean views always sell out first. I recommend checking tickets on the website as soon as you plan your trip to secure the best seats, rather than waiting until the last minute to buy them at the counter.
Conclusion
At the end of the 3-hour journey, I realized that the heritage train Hue Da Nang is not just a means of transportation, but a vibrant film depicting the natural beauty and soul of Central Vietnam. With an incredibly affordable price for such a premium experience, this is definitely something you’ll regret missing if you visit this S-shaped country.
