Vietnam Travel Notes

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Recently I traveled from Nha Trang to HCM City aboard the new train service called “5 Star V-Train”.

Before heading of, my friend was telling me about how great the train was, comfortable, clean and always on time. As I have been working in tourism industry in Vietnam for about 6 years, I have had the pleasure of catching quite few trains, so to be honest my friend’s words went one ear and out the other!

Surprise, surprise! The 5 Star train service was just what he said! Running from Nha Trang to HCMC the train departed at 11.05am and was due to arrive in HCMC at 7.20pm.

We were in C Class (see photo left), which comprised of a carriage with 32 sofa style seats. The seats were large, spacious and comfortable. There is a baggage area at one end of the train to store big bags, tables between seats, large TV screen hanging from the roof playing everyone’s favorite, Mr Bean and a staff member eager to get drinks for you!

The next carriage along was the Dinning Car, serving really nice food at reasonable prices. There is a mix of Vietnamese and Western food, along with ice-cream, beer and wine. The staff was extremely friendly and whilst their English was lacking a bit, their enthusiasm and efforts made it a joy (menu photo’s below).

At 7.27pm we arrived in HCMC relaxed and happy ready to hit the largest and craziest City in Vietnam! All in all this train service is fantastic. There is talk of it making the Hanoi – HCMC journey, but that may be some time away.

The return trip, HCMC – Nha Trang, departs at 11.15pm, arriving in Nha Trang at 7.10am.

More information about the 5 Star V-Train:

• Website: www.5-startrain.com

• A Class – 2 carriages each with 7 Luxury private cabins (2 beds).

• B Class – 4 carriages each with 7 Luxury cabins (4 beds).

• C Class – 2 carriages each with 32 sofa’s (see picture).

• D Class – 2 carriages each with 44 Adjustable soft seats.

• Dinning Car – serving Vietnamese/Western food and drinks.

• Massage Car – Offering foot massages during the journey (closed on ourtrip)

• Multi- Purpose Car – According to the pamphlet “ideal place to organize meeting or entertainment activities such as: cinema, karaoke, dancing or special theme lunch/dinner for birthday, engagement parties”

• Cost – it’s been changing a lot, so check out their website. Our journey in C Class cost 320,000VND.

Train Timings

Above is the train menu, click on photo for larger image.