At just $10, this scenic Asian train journey is the bargain of the year

The train: Vietnam Railways

• Route Da Nang to Hue, Vietnam
• Frequency The Connecting Central Heritage train has two daily departures in each direction.
• Duration 103 kilometres – three hours, 15 minutes
• Class Soft Seat Premium, with air-conditioning

The journey

Da Nang to Hue aboard Vietnam Railways’ Connecting Central Heritage train, a special train that launched on the popular route in March 2024. With a scheduled duration of three hours, 15 minutes, the scenic journey through the Hai Van Pass and along the coastline affords terrific views of the sea and mountains. In a community carriage, there are traditional music performances, local food and drinks for purchase, and even a hot herbal foot-soak service (VND60,000, $3.50; cash only).

When booking, look for Heritage train numbers HD1, HD2, HD3 or HD4, as the route is also served by regular trains.

Boarding

It’s a 12-minute drive from my hotel to the train station in a Grab car, South-East Asia’s inexpensive version of Uber. Passengers are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

Everybody must wait in the crowded main building, where the facilities are scant, and the heat is oppressive, until the announcement of their train’s arrival. Tickets are checked by a conductor on the way out of the main building (they’re not checked again on the train).

There’s a chaotic rush to the tracks, as we have about five minutes to find the right train car. Fellow passengers help me haul my suitcase up steep, narrow steps. Those with limited mobility or using a wheelchair would likely find it a challenge.

The seat

There are four carriages on this train, all of them with “Soft Seat Premium, air-conditioned″⁣ seats, in a 2-2 formation. I’m in Coach 4, window seat 13, which is not facing the direction of travel. The best seats for views on this route are by the window, facing in the direction the train is going (there are seven in each carriage). Double-check that’s what you’re getting at the time of booking, as it’s not clearly indicated on the booking sites.

Covered in brown vinyl leather, the recliner seats are roomy and comfortable, but don’t offer charger ports for phones and computers. There’s an armrest, tray table, a coat hook on the wall and an air-conditioning vent overhead.

Baggage

There’s a 20-kilogram limit on luggage, and you must be able to carry it yourself. While there are racks above the seats, I have enough spare legroom to keep my medium-sized suitcase and handbag in front of my knees.

Food + drink

You’ve been warned: Bring cash or go hungry. In the community carriage, Vietnamese meals, snacks and drinks are available for purchase. Try the Banh Bao (a bao bun with filling made from pork, wood-ear mushrooms and onions) for $2, or the Banh Nam, a steamed rice dumpling filled with pork and shrimp for $3.

The coffee is good, as you’d expect in Vietnam. Other drink choices include lotus tea, artichoke tea, matcha latte, Huda beer and orange juice.

One more thing…

After being unable to book a ticket on the official website or secondary ticketing sites because I don’t have a credit card issued by a Vietnamese bank, I’m resigned to going to the station to buy it in person. That is, until a hotel employee comes to my aid and books it in the app on her phone, and I hand her the cash.

The price

180,000 Vietnamese dong (VND); $10.25

The verdict

Embrace the chaos and enjoy the best $10 travel bargain I’ve found all year. The views, entertainment and quirky amenities make this trip a memorable must-do.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The writer travelled as a guest of Radisson RED Danang. radissonhotels.com

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