Air-conditioned trains with sleepers and on-board catering link Hanoi, Hue, Danang, Nha Trang, and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).  Hoi An has no station, but it's just 30km by bus or taxi from Danang.  There are also trains from Hanoi to Halong & Haiphong (for HalongBay) and Hanoi to Lao Cai (for Sapa)

What are the trains like?

Trains SE1 to SE8...

The best trains are the ones with 'SE' train numbers, equipped with modern air-conditioned coaches.  They have:

• Soft class air-conditioned sleepers (4-berths per compartment).
• Hard class air-conditioned sleepers (6-berths per compartment)
• Air-conditioned soft class reclining seats.
• A restaurant or buffet car.
• In soft sleeper, simple tray meals are served in your compartment along with mineral water, included in the fare.
• Train SE1/SE2 also has private 4-berth air-conditioned sleepers of a higher standard attached between Hanoi, Hue & Danang

The coaches on these 'SE' trains have large picture windows, unobstructed by the wire mesh that protects other trains' windows from stones.  Choose these trains if you can. 

Trains TN1 to TN8...

These are the slower, older trains.  Trains TN1 & TN2 only have hard sleepers & hard seats.  Trains TN3 to TN8 have:

• Air-conditioned soft class sleepers (4-berths per compartment)
• Air-conditioned hard class  sleepers (6-berths per compartment)
• Hard class  sleepers (non-aircon, 6-berths per compartment)
• Air-conditioned soft class reclining seats
• Soft class seats (non-aircon)
• Hard class seats (non-aircon)

One advantage of these trains is that they have non-air-conditioned cars with windows that open, better for photographing the scenery. However, bear in mind that they are much more basic than the SE trains

Which class should you choose?

Air-conditioned soft sleeper is the recommended choice for most western travellers, for any journey involving overnight travel.  Air-con soft sleeper cars have western-style toilets at the end of the corridor.  However, air-con hard sleeper is perfectly acceptable if you're on a budget or if all the soft sleepers are sold out, so don't rule it out.  Some hard sleepers have squat-type toilets only, if that's an issue for you.  Air-con soft seat is a good choice for daytime journeys, but not for overnight trips as you can't sleep properly in a seat.