Sleeper Train in Vietnam | Da Nang to Hanoi (LAMAN EXPRESS)

🚆 My Honest Experience Riding an Overnight Sleeper Train in Vietnam | Da Nang to Hanoi For this journey from Da Nang to Hanoi, I booked my tickets through 12Go and traveled on Laman Express (Train SE20 – VIP Sleeper 4x). This video documents my journey from beginning to end and reflects my personal experience. Despite how my trip ultimately turned out, I genuinely enjoyed the concept of traveling by train through Vietnam. There’s something special about slowing down, watching the countryside roll by, and experiencing a different side of travel that you simply don’t get from flying. Throughout this journey, I wanted to show you what it’s really like to travel overnight by train in Vietnam. I take you on a full tour of the train, including the sleeper compartments, what a four-berth cabin looks like, the bathrooms, the cafeteria car, and many of the shared spaces throughout the train. I also show the different accommodations, families traveling together, and what it’s like when the train stops at stations where passengers can briefly step off to stretch their legs while local vendors wait outside selling food, drinks, and snacks before everyone boards again. As many of you know, one of my favorite parts of traveling is meeting people from around the world, and this trip was no exception. I had some wonderful conversations and truly enjoyed connecting with fellow travelers along the way. Unfortunately, my experience changed dramatically during the journey. A passenger in or near our sleeper compartment was smoking marijuana, and the odor spread throughout our area of the train. I do not smoke marijuana, I do not use illegal substances, and I should never have been placed in a situation where I could not escape the smell in an enclosed sleeper compartment. Instead of enjoying what was advertised as a cleaner, calmer, and more comfortable journey, I was unable to sleep, repeatedly had to leave my compartment, and spent much of the night trying to avoid the smoke. The experience also left me feeling unwell for the next couple of days, which affected part of my time in Vietnam. What disappointed me even more than the incident itself was how it was handled afterward. After providing evidence and going through the complaint process, neither 12Go nor Laman Express accepted responsibility or offered what I believe was an appropriate resolution. While I understand that one passenger’s behavior is not something a company can always prevent, I do believe companies should be accountable for how they respond when something significantly impacts a paying customer’s experience. For me, that’s where trust was lost. Because of both the onboard experience and the way my complaint was handled afterward, I cannot personally recommend booking through 12Go or traveling with Laman Express based on my experience. That being said, I would absolutely travel by train in Vietnam again. Next time, I’ll likely book a private cabin, choose a different operator with a more premium service, and make my reservation directly through my own trusted travel partners. Train travel itself was an unforgettable experience. The scenery, the people, the slower pace, and the opportunity to experience Vietnam from a completely different perspective made it something I’m genuinely glad I did. This review isn’t intended to discourage anyone from taking the train. It’s intended to share my honest experience so that you can make an informed decision and choose the option that’s right for you. Have you traveled overnight by train in Vietnam? If so, I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.