New £53billion train line to connect 20 cities in one of the world’s best value winter sun destinations
A NEW high-speed train is set to launch in Vietnam in the next eleven years after plans were approved the country’s National Assemby.
At the end of last month, Vietnam‘s National Assembly approved plans to build a high-speed railway network that will connect 20 cities across the country.
The new route will run between Hanoi (the Vietnamese capital) and Ho Chi Minh City, covering more than 957 miles of the country.
Slated to cost $67billion (£53billion), the high-speed train will be able to reach speeds of up to 217mph, reducing journey times by 25 hours.
Construction work will start in 2027, with trains operating from as early as 2035.
Once up and running, the train will pass through 20 provinces and cities in Vietnam – although a full itinerary, including stopping stations, has yet to be confirmed.
There will be 23 passenger stations along the route, with five freight stations also being served on the line.
According to local media, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy said the project was a response to growing transport needs.
A statement on the Vietnamese parliament‘s website reads: “The national assembly voted to approve… a resolution on investment policies for the high-speed railway project on the North-South axis.”
The National Assembly rejected plans for the high-speed railway network back in 2010 because it was deemed too expensive.
At the time, the high-speed railway was expected to cost $56billion (£44billion).
It was also believed that fares would be too high for Vietnamese citizens.
The construction is expected to be met with several challenges, including the relocation of 120,000 residents as well as the removal of forests and rice fields.
And this isn’t the only new train launching in Vietnam.
Earlier this year, hospitality giant Anantara launched its second luxury train service in Vietnam.
Known as The Vietage by Anantara, the five-hour train stretches between Da Nang and Quy Nhon along the Vietnamese Coast.
The luxury train has six private booths, each of which seats just two passengers.
Anantara launched another luxury train back in 2020, except it runs in the opposite direction from Quy Nhon to Da Nang.
Earlier this year, the Post Office released its annual Holiday Spending Report for 2024, which includes the best value destination.
Vietnam was named the 14th best value holiday destination in the world.
The best time to visit Vietnam is between November and April – although this varies from region to region, making it an ideal winter sun destination for most Brits.
Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
Earlier this summer, a new train route let you pay just £7 to travel to three European countries – Italy, Croatia and Slovenia.
And a new train route dubbed “easyJet on rails” will link France, Belgium and the Netherlands.