Lonely Planet calls Vietnam's north-south railway one of Southeast Asia's best-loved

By Hoang Phong June 18, 2025 | 09:00 pm PT

A north-south train passes through dragonfruit fields in south central Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Saigonrailways

Australian travel magazine has named Vietnam's north-south railway, known as the Reunification Express, among world's 24 most incredible train journeys, calling it one of Southeast Asia's best-loved railways.

"There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam's twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines," Lonely Planet wrote.

Spanning over 1,700 kilometers, the so-called Reunification Express offers an adventurous way to experience Vietnam, connecting Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south.

The journey allows passengers to enjoy breathtaking scenery and rural landscapes, passing through coastal towns in the central region such as Hue, the former imperial capital, Da Nang City, and the ancient town of Hoi An.

Other rail trips featured on the list include the California Zephyr in the U.S., the Beijing-to-Lhasa Express in China, the TranzAlpine in New Zealand, the Caledonian Sleeper in the U.K., and the Hokkaidō Shinkansen in Japan.