We will be in Hanoi for the New Year and then wish to travel by rail to Ho Chi Minh City. Should we book and pay for our tickets now? How do we do this? Are the seats definitely reserved or do we have to confirm them once we arrive in Hanoi?
- A. Williams, West Pennant Hills.
According to my contacts at Vietnam Airlines, it's not easy to book tickets for Vietnam Railways from outside the country.
The official website for Vietnam Railways (vr.com.vn) does not have a booking facility and while you could contact a local travel agency,
I am advised that reputable agents will only accept on-the-spot bookings. On the upside, the period surrounding December 31 is not a particularly busy time for travel in Vietnam, as opposed to Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, which falls on February 3 next year.
You should be able to book tickets with reserved seats but do this as soon as you arrive. Your hotel can put you in touch with a travel agent, who can make the arrangements or handle the booking for you.
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