by lothes19
Dear group,
My wife and I spent our spring break in Vietnam, which included riding the railway from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Hanoi. The trip takes 30 hours if done all together, but we split it into two segments, stopping off at Hue and Hoi An near the middle. We got to ride over the highly-scenic Hai Van Pass twice, and I was also able to take a taxi on the old road over the pass, stopping for some photography along the way.
If you're not familiar with Hai Van Pass, it surely must be one of the most scenic train rides in Southeast Asia. The meter gauge line clings to densely-forested hillsides as it winds high above the sea, passing pristine beaches, crossing high stone bridges and going through several tunnels.
I've posted a short video clip on Youtube. The quality's not very good, but it should give you an idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKDWxAKWGZ4
At the present time, there are seven pairs of passenger trains over the pass every day, with the majority operating in daylight. The older, slower through trains (TN1-4 and TN6-7) get a helper (banker) on the rear, while the newer express trains (SE1-6) have more powerful locomotives that can make the run unassisted. I also observed several freight trains (on both of my rides, we passed two freights), all of which operated with a helper.
I highly recommend a ride on this railway to anyone who ever has a chance to visit the area. Don't delay, though, as the government plans to replace the long, twisting pass with a tunnel. I have yet to see a timeline, but I'm guessing it will take at least a few years.
I also had a good time exploring the railway around Hanoi, where the tracks often run through backalleys, the trains passing literally within arm's reach of houses and apartments. The Long Bien bridge over the Red River is a very impressive structure, and I was able to photograph several trains crossing it. Early mornings are a good time, as the city is a little less hectic, and there are three northbound departures crossing the bridge between 6:00 and 6:30.
I observed no freight trains over the bridge, but noted another bridge to the northwest, and possibly a third bridge to the southeast. I'm guessing one of those is used as a freight bypass. The entire railway network around Hanoi is rather confusing, as lines branch off in several directions and two different track gauges are used (meter and standard). Futhermore, not all trains listed as departing from Hanoi actually depart from Hanoi station. Some use Long Bien station on the south side of the bridge, and still others use Gia Lam station on the north side.
If anyone would like to know more about Vietnam's railways, I'll do my best to help you. And if any of you can better explain operations around Hanoi, please enlighten me!
Best regards,
Scott Lothes
Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan
My wife and I spent our spring break in Vietnam, which included riding the railway from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Hanoi. The trip takes 30 hours if done all together, but we split it into two segments, stopping off at Hue and Hoi An near the middle. We got to ride over the highly-scenic Hai Van Pass twice, and I was also able to take a taxi on the old road over the pass, stopping for some photography along the way.
If you're not familiar with Hai Van Pass, it surely must be one of the most scenic train rides in Southeast Asia. The meter gauge line clings to densely-forested hillsides as it winds high above the sea, passing pristine beaches, crossing high stone bridges and going through several tunnels.
I've posted a short video clip on Youtube. The quality's not very good, but it should give you an idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKDWxAKWGZ4
At the present time, there are seven pairs of passenger trains over the pass every day, with the majority operating in daylight. The older, slower through trains (TN1-4 and TN6-7) get a helper (banker) on the rear, while the newer express trains (SE1-6) have more powerful locomotives that can make the run unassisted. I also observed several freight trains (on both of my rides, we passed two freights), all of which operated with a helper.
I highly recommend a ride on this railway to anyone who ever has a chance to visit the area. Don't delay, though, as the government plans to replace the long, twisting pass with a tunnel. I have yet to see a timeline, but I'm guessing it will take at least a few years.
I also had a good time exploring the railway around Hanoi, where the tracks often run through backalleys, the trains passing literally within arm's reach of houses and apartments. The Long Bien bridge over the Red River is a very impressive structure, and I was able to photograph several trains crossing it. Early mornings are a good time, as the city is a little less hectic, and there are three northbound departures crossing the bridge between 6:00 and 6:30.
I observed no freight trains over the bridge, but noted another bridge to the northwest, and possibly a third bridge to the southeast. I'm guessing one of those is used as a freight bypass. The entire railway network around Hanoi is rather confusing, as lines branch off in several directions and two different track gauges are used (meter and standard). Futhermore, not all trains listed as departing from Hanoi actually depart from Hanoi station. Some use Long Bien station on the south side of the bridge, and still others use Gia Lam station on the north side.
If anyone would like to know more about Vietnam's railways, I'll do my best to help you. And if any of you can better explain operations around Hanoi, please enlighten me!
Best regards,
Scott Lothes
Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan
