Taking the Da Nang Train to Hue in the Heritage VIP Carriage

The Da Nang train to Hue takes you through the Hai Van Pass, past mountains, coastline, and rice paddies. I booked the heritage train’s VIP carriage for its dark wood interior, comfortable individual chairs, and large picture windows. It was one of the journeys I was most looking forward to in Vietnam.

Traveling between cities can take up a good chunk of a vacation day, so I like making transportation part of the adventure when I can. Spending the afternoon watching Vietnam go by sounded much better than simply counting the hours until I arrived.

But a heritage train ticket doesn’t automatically get you into the VIP carriage. If that’s the one you’ve seen in photos and want to book, you need to know what to look for.

I’m Lisa, and I took this train solo as part of my 10 days in Vietnam. Here’s how to book it, what I loved about the ride, and what bothered me.

Da Nang to Hue Train at a Glance

What Is the Da Nang to Hue Heritage Train?

The heritage train, also called the Central Heritage Connection, runs only between Da Nang and Hue. Part of the route follows the coast around the Hai Van Pass, where the railway curves along mountainsides above the sea.

Vietnam Railways and the two cities introduced it in March 2024 to encourage travelers to explore more of Central Vietnam. Regional food and traditional performances became part of the ride, giving passengers a taste of the places they were traveling between.

There are morning and afternoon departures in both directions. I chose the afternoon train so I could visit Marble Mountains before leaving Da Nang.

Coastline, Mountains, and Rice Paddies

The views along the Hai Van Pass were what made me want to take this train. Green mountainsides slope down toward the sea, and as the tracks curve around them, you can look out at the coastline below.

I kept looking ahead to see what was coming around the next bend, then back down toward the water. Sitting in that comfortable chair, facing a big picture window, I was pretty pleased with my afternoon plans!

The coast is only part of the ride. Farther along, the scenery changes, and I got some beautiful sunset views over the rice paddies.

I’d been so excited about seeing the sea that I hadn’t given much thought to the rest of the journey. Those fields in the evening light were a lovely surprise.

Inside the VIP Carriage

Dark wood paneling, padded chairs, couches, and large picture windows give the VIP carriage that fancy, old-fashioned train look.

Along one side there’s a row of individual seats. On the other are seating groups made up of a couch and two chairs. All the seats are bolted to the floor and face toward the windows with the coastal views.

Everyone can see the coastline during that part of the journey.

I booked a seat closer to the windows. It was nice having an individual chair. I wasn’t sitting shoulder to shoulder with another passenger, and I could look straight ahead at the scenery instead of turning sideways to see out.

The seats were very comfortable too. Between the padding, the space, and the view, I was quite happy staying put for a few hours.

VIP passengers were even treated with a bottle of water and a small snack presented on a little wooden tray. It was a nice touch.

Food and Traditional Performances Onboard

There’s also a community carriage where you can buy food and watch musicians playing traditional instruments and a dancer performing. I enjoyed watching, but the performance area was standing room only, and it filled up.

Because the food is sold in the same carriage, it can be hard to get over to buy something while the entertainment is happening. If you’re hungry, try going before or after the performance when there’s more room to move.

I didn’t buy any food, so I can’t comment on it.

A Few Things That Bothered Me

There was construction and land clearing along parts of the coast during my trip, which made it a little less scenic than I had wanted.

Power lines made taking pictures tricky, too. And there were a lot of them. I’d lift my phone for a photo and find a wire cutting through the view.

What annoyed me most was the steady stream of passengers coming through the VIP carriage. Some lingered longer than others.

It felt like everyone on the train had stopped by for a look or to take a picture. I understood the curiosity, but I wanted to enjoy my seat and the view without people constantly walking past.

At one point, the couple at the window seats beside me went to buy a snack, and another couple tried to take their seats. I told them the seats were taken, but they wouldn’t leave until the people who had booked them came back.

Nobody came through checking tickets either. It would have been nice if someone had kept track of who belonged in the seats and stepped in when needed.

I still enjoyed the journey, but I would have appreciated more attentive staff.

How to Book the Heritage Train from Da Nang to Hue

You can book both standard and VIP seats on the official Vietnam Railways website. The official website doesn’t accept foreign credit cards though. So, I booked through the Vexere website which is an official partner of Vietnam Railways and accepts foreign credit cards.

I also found heritage train tickets on Klook and GetYourGuide but they were only for the standard seating carriages, not the VIP seats.

12Go also lists the VIP carriage, but when I tested the booking process, I couldn’t find an option to choose a specific seat.

If you plan to go through a third party booking app, double check what seat you are actually getting.

Here’s how I booked my seat for the VIP carriage:

1. Choose the train booking option on Vexere.
2. Enter Da Nang Station as your starting point.
3. Enter Hue Station as your destination.
4. Select your travel date and search.
5. Scroll all the way down through the results to find the HD2 or HD4 train.
6. Choose HD2 for the morning train or HD4 for the afternoon train, then click Book.
7. Look through the carriage options for the one with 32 seats. It shows the specific layout of one row of seats on one side and grouped seats on the other side.
8. Select your seat, enter your passenger details, and complete payment.

These are the train codes for the heritage train:

• Hue to Da Nang: HD1 and HD3
• Da Nang to Hue: HD2 and HD4

Other trains listed in the results, including SE trains, are regular train services.

I paid US$16 for my VIP seat on the heritage train. That included the bottled water and small treat.

Choose Your Carriage Carefully

Check the seating layout before buying your ticket. The heritage train has different seating options, but only one carriage is set up as the VIP carriage.

The other carriages have a standard seating arrangement, with seats side by side: one beside the window and another beside the aisle.

But I wanted the dark wood carriage with the lounge-style seating. That’s the VIP carriage and the one I’d pictured myself riding in.

What to Know About Seat 8

Seats 5, 8, 11, and 14 are the seats meant for solo travelers. The others are arranged in groupings to make conversation easier for people traveling together.

I booked seat 8.

What I hadn’t realized was that it sits beside an emergency exit window. The window is split, which may affect your view and where you can aim your camera.

I still enjoyed the scenery, but I’d choose a different window seat next time.

Getting to Da Nang Station and Arriving in Hue

My hotel in Hoi An arranged a private driver to take me to Marble Mountains to explore the caves and pagodas before dropping me off at the station.

You can read more about that day in my three-day Hoi An guide.

If you’re staying in Da Nang city, Grab is another option for reaching the station.

After arriving at Hue Station, I took a Grab to my hotel. My guide to using Grab explains the app if you haven’t used it before.

You can also arrange transportation directly through your hotel in Hue.

Questions About the Da Nang Train to Hue

Are there bathrooms on board?

Yes, and they were clean! I always suggest taking your own tissue or these wipes when traveling though. You never want to be caught without.

Where Do You Put Your Luggage?

There were luggage racks above the seats, and I was able to put my carry-on up there. I made sure to keep my passport and other valuables on me though.

Can You Take a Regular Train Instead?

Yes. Regular trains also connect Da Nang and Hue. Compare departure times, journey lengths, and seat classes before booking.

Should You Take a Train or Private Car?

A private car is useful if you want hotel pickup, hotel drop-off, or sightseeing stops along the way. If you want to travel over the Hai Van Pass by road, confirm that route with your driver.

I wanted the heritage train experience, so I planned my day around its departure.

Can You Take the Heritage Train from Hue to Da Nang?

Yes. Search with Hue as your departure station and Da Nang as your destination. Look for the HD1 or HD3 train, then check the departure time and carriage layout before paying.

Are There Places to Eat Near Da Nang Station?

Yes, there are a few places to grab a bite near the station. I had a bánh mì and a Huda beer nearby before boarding the afternoon train.

Would I Book the VIP Carriage Again?

Yes, I would.

The padded seats were comfortable, I loved the dark wood and heritage styling, and my individual chair meant I wasn’t sitting shoulder to shoulder with someone else. Best of all, I faced the picture window, so I could enjoy the scenery without turning sideways to look out.

I’d choose a different window seat next time, and I’d like to see staff paying more attention to the carriage. But for US$16, I’d happily book it again.

Wondering what there is to do in Hue once you get there? My two-days in Hue guide covers what I visited next.