After Europe unofficially proclaimed its Railway Renaissance, and Latin America adopted go well with with a number of thrilling new train routes, it was solely a matter of time till Southeast Asia lastly jumped on this bandwagon.
This time, it is Vietnam doing the honors, and for those who’ve ever traveled up and down the nation by practice, you understand how painfully sluggish these will be.
We’re speaking extreme delays, a median pace of solely 31 mph, and outdated infrastructure nonetheless largely relationship again to colonial occasions.
It’s been a very long time coming, however quickly sufficient, you can board a new high-speed train in Hanoi, the colourful capital of Vietnam, and journey on to Ha Long Bay:
Direct Train From Hanoi To Ha Long Will Soon Be A Reality
A natural wonder of Vietnam and the world’s most lovely bay, Ha Long is a well-liked weekend getaway for vacationers primarily based in Hanoi.
Dotted with imposing limestone karsts, jutting out of the water like pillars, and well-known for its distinctive floating villages and paradisaical islets, lined in dense jungle, this UNESCO-protected reserve is at the moment greatest reached by bus from the capital.
Usually, vacationers will e-book guided excursions beginning early within the morning from Hanoi, and returning late within the night, although that may be severely exhausting:
Depending on site visitors, it will possibly take wherever from 2.5 hours to 4 hours to cowl the 100 miles separating Hanoi from the doorway of the bay. Feasible as it might be, it nonetheless leaves you working on a good schedule, with little or no to no flexibility.
When Will The Train Launch?
Lucky for us vacationers, Vietnamese billionaire and head of VinSpeed Phan Nhat Vuong is eager on constructing a Hanoi-Ha Long Bay high-speed practice, to the tune of VND138.93 trillion (roughly US$5.3 billion).
The challenge is anticipated to be accredited this quarter, and building is scheduled to start instantly, with completion focused for the final quarter of 2027. The official business launch is already set for the primary quarter of 2028.
The 74-mile railroad will hyperlink the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Hanoi to Tuan Chau Ward, the getaway to Ha Long Bay. It may also cross via the Bac Ninh Province and town of Hai Phong, boosting connectivity within the underdeveloped north of Vietnam.
The practice could have a most pace of 217 mph, and on the time of its launch in 2028, there might be a departure each 60 minutes.
From 2030 onward, VinSpeed plans on doubling the frequency to each 30 minutes.
More Train Routes Coming Your Way
The bold challenge has already been included within the Vietnamese Government’s rail community planning for the rest of the last decade, so probabilities it is not going to go forward, or it is going to be severely delayed—bear in mind the Tren Maya saga?—are slim at this level.
Besides the Hanoi-Ha Long line, VinSpeed is assured that nationwide authorities will green-light a high-speed practice between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, within the south of the nation.
Though there are a number of trains working on this route, they run way more slowly.
There are 957 miles separating the Vietnamese capital from the extra southerly metropolis, and consider it or not, trains common roughly 27-36 mph.
Americans Must Get A Visa Before Flying To Vietnam
If you are visiting Vietnam as a U.S. passport holder sooner or later, keep in mind that there are specific guidelines in place that make touring a bit extra bureaucratic than what chances are you’ll be used to.
To sum it up, not like your European associates, you’ll be able to’t simply present up on the airport and board a flight to Vietnam, as simply as that, with out holding a pre-authorized eVisa. This can take days, if not weeks to course of, relying on their backlog, so do not depart it till the final minute.
Check all the newest entry necessities making use of to Americans touring to Vietnam—and different nations in Southeast Asia—here.
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