Hanoi to Ha Long by Train | Few Days Halong

Transport / Hanoi to Ha Long by Train

North Vietnam · Rail and road

Hanoi to Ha Long by Train

A slower, more characterful way to the bay aboard the Hoa Phuong Do train, via Hai Phong.

About 2 hours 25 by rail · Reserved seat · Road transfer on to Ha Long

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The Journey

For travellers who would rather not spend the whole journey in a car.

If the idea of a straight road transfer to the bay does not appeal, this breaks the journey up. You take the Hoa Phuong Do train from Hanoi out to Hai Phong, watching the city give way to quieter neighbourhoods and open countryside, then continue to Ha Long by road.

There is a genuine choice of carriage, from a straightforward standard seat to an elegant VIP carriage with Indochine-inspired interiors, and the rail leg takes around two and a half hours. We will be straight with you about the trade-off: the train finishes in Hai Phong, not Ha Long, so the full door-to-door journey usually takes longer than a direct car. What you get in exchange is far less continuous time sitting in traffic, and a far more interesting couple of hours.

Journey Highlights

The moments that make it.

The Route

How the day unfolds.

30 min before
Arrive at the station
Get there about half an hour ahead and check your ticket for the correct station, train number, carriage and reserved seat.
Departure
Settle in aboard the Hoa Phuong Do
Find your seat and stow your luggage. In the VIP carriage you have lounge-style seating, wooden flooring and a complimentary drink as the journey begins.
2h25 to 2h45
Watch the scenery change
Hanoi falls away and the line runs out past local neighbourhoods, small towns and stretches of countryside. Time to read, take photographs or simply slow down.
Arrival
Into Hai Phong
Collect your belongings and step off at Hai Phong Railway Station. The rail part of the journey ends here.
Onward
Road transfer to Ha Long
If booked with us, your driver meets you for the final leg to your Ha Long hotel or cruise departure point, with the pickup time confirmed in advance.

What's Included

Everything handled for you.

Included

  • Reserved seat aboard the Hoa Phuong Do train
  • Your choice of VIP, rotating-seat or standard carriage, subject to availability
  • One complimentary drink in the VIP carriage
  • Confirmed train, carriage and seat number

Not included

  • The onward road transfer from Hai Phong to Ha Long, unless added
  • Transfers to the departure station in Hanoi
  • Food and drinks beyond the VIP carriage drink

Carriage options

  • VIP, 34 seats: Indochine-inspired interiors, wooden flooring and lounge-style seating
  • Rotating-seat carriage, 56 seats: seats turn 180 degrees so you can face your direction of travel
  • Standard carriage, 64 seats: the same journey at a simpler level

Other ways to travel

More ways to spend a day around Hoi An and Da Nang.

Hue to Da Nang Heritage Train
Hue to Da Nang Heritage Train
Central Vietnam · Scenic rail
VIP seating over the Hai Van Pass and the Lang Co coast.
View ›
Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay
Ha Long · Tours and cruises
Where this journey is taking you: cruises, tours and the bay itself.
View ›
Dragon Pearl Cave
Dragon Pearl Cave
Ha Long · Evening experience
A cave dinner show to pair with your nights on the bay.
View ›

Hanoi to Ha Long by Train common questions

Good to know before you go.

How long does the Hanoi to Ha Long train take?

The rail leg from Hanoi to Hai Phong takes roughly two hours 25 minutes to two hours 45 minutes depending on the service, and the road transfer on to Ha Long is added to that.

Does the train go all the way to Ha Long?

No, and it is worth being clear about that. The train finishes at Hai Phong Railway Station, and the final leg to Ha Long is by road, arranged separately or added to your booking.

Is the train faster than a private car to Ha Long?

No. A direct road transfer is usually quicker door to door. The train is for travellers who would rather break the journey up and spend less of it sitting in a car, not for those in a hurry.

What is the VIP carriage like?

Thirty-four seats with Indochine-inspired interiors, wooden flooring and lounge-style seating, plus one complimentary drink. It is the option we recommend if you want the journey itself to feel like part of the trip.

Can I take the train if I have a Ha Long Bay cruise to join?

Yes, and it is a nice way to arrive, but the timing has to work backwards from your boarding time. We help pick the service and arrange the onward transfer so you reach the pier comfortably. See our overnight cruise guide for how boarding works.

Is there space for luggage?

Yes, there is room to stow cases in the carriage, though as with any train it is easier if you are not travelling with very large suitcases. If you are, the straight road transfer may suit you better.

Make it part of your trip

We’ll fold the Hanoi to Ha Long rail journey into a complete, private itinerary, with the onward transfer and your cruise timed to meet it.

Get your free personalised itinerary ›
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