Ho Chi Ming to Da Lat Trains

Written by Fabio Updated Jan. 12, 2025

From Ho Chi Ming City to Da Lat, trains are the way to go. Trains run frequently between these two cities.

Daily there are six trains linking the capital, Ho Chi Ming to Da Lat, Vietnam’s largest city.

Distance: 1,726 kilometers (1,072 miles)
Trains: SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7, SE9. SE11
Stops: Ho Chi Ming, Nih Binh, Thanh Hoa, Vinh, Dong Hoi, Hue, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Dieu Tri, Nha Trang, Binh Thuan, Da Lat (Saigon)
Duration of journey: approximately 34 hours

Ho Chi Ming to Da Lat Train Schedules

Train Number	Ho Chi Ming (depart)	Da Lat (arrive)	Ticket Fare
SE7	06:00	16:10 the next day	Hard seat: VND 669,000 Soft seat: VND 1,024,000 Hard sleeper: VND 1,395,000 Soft sleeper: VND 1,525,000
SE11	08:00	21:05 the next day
SE5	09:00	18:38 the next day
SE9	14:30	02:47 two days later
SE3	19:30	04:45 two days later
SE1	22:20	05:45 two days later

Da Lat to Ho Chi Ming Train Schedules

Train Number	Da Lat (depart)	Ho Chi Ming (arrive)	Ticket Fare
SE8	06:00	15:30 the next day	Hard seat: VND 669,000 Soft seat: VND 1,024,000 Hard sleeper: VND 1,395,000 Soft sleeper: VND 1,525,000
SE12	07:55	21:12 the next day
SE6	09:00	19:12 the next day
SE10	14:40	03:55 two days later
SE4	19:45	04:50 two days later
SE2	21:55	05:30 two days later

Scenery Along the Way

Winding along the coastline, the North-South Railway offers much landscape and many cultural highlights along the way.

Views from the train window change from green to golden paddy fields, from thriving orchards and countryside to towering mountains and shining blue sea. You can also have a close-up view of a railroad market, which can only be found in Southeast Asia.

Most popular tourist cities are dotted along the line, including Ho Chi Ming, Vinh, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Da Lat.

The Hue–Da Nang section of the railway is the most beautiful and stunning. The train goes through world-class tourist attractions Hai Van Pass and Lang Co Beach. This stretch of line has been designated by National Geographic as “One of 50 must-sees in a lifetime”.

Train vs Flight from Ho Chi Ming to Da Lat

What is the best way to travel between the two cities: plane, train or bus? Bus is only recommended for journeys less than 6 hours. Bus fares are the cheapest. Trains and planes, however, are safer and more comfortable than buses.

Train vs Plane

	Pros	Cons
Plane	1.Faster: only around 2 hours between Ho Chi Ming and Da Lat 2.Many flights to choose from 3.Good service 4.Clean and comfortable 5.Sometimes the price can be very low due to good discounts	1.More expensive 2.Not as scenic 3.Airports are far from downtown
Train	1.Very comfortable if travel in a sleeper car 2.Reasonable price 3.Train stations are usually in the city center with easy access 4.A scenic and interesting way of traveling	1.Slower: around 34 hours from Ho Chi Ming to Da Lat 2.Most staff at train stations and on board cannot speak English

Tips:

From Ho Chi Ming to Da Lat, trains take a much longer time than planes. Still, many travelers choose trains because you can view stunning scenery along the way, which cannot be seen from a plane.
If you decide to take a train, it is recommended to book sleeper tickets. Soft seat and hard seat tickets are really not recommended. Soft sleeper is comfortable, with air-conditioning. There is a lockable door, guaranteeing privacy and security.
There are no open tickets enabling you to hop on and off Vietnamese trains. Seats/berths are reserved for the whole trip you booked.
If a 35-hour train journey sounds too long to you, a good option might be to break the journey into two or three parts. Making stops at Hue, Da Nang, or other tourist cities, for a few days of visiting, would be a good idea.

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