We didn’t even get our tickets, please don’t buy with Livitrans it’s a scam

We booked through i2go Asia. Don’t book with them! The train was clean but the staff are unhelpful, noisy and rude. At the station and on the train. You can get some sleep but you may well have creepy blokes in your cabin which isn’t pleasant! This could easily be great if some thought and process was put in place.

Something we thought we should do, to experience a night train for our tour of Vietnam. We knew in advance that it wouldn't be luxurious. We booked the soft sleeper cabin. There were three of us & we regretted not paying for the 4th birth to have the cabin to ourselves. The cabin was equipped with pillows, sheets & a throw (we took our own covers). Be sure to take a jumper as the AC on the top bunk is cold & it can't be adjusted. We had another passenger join us at 3am, which we didn't expect. I'm just pleased I wasn't travelling alone, as we had locked the cabin door but the guard can over ride it. The toilet was pretty wet & smelly by the time we reached our destination. Do your research before you travel - it's definitely an experience. Glad I did it but will not be repeating it.

We booked all of our train tickets for Vietnam at Baolau. We didn’t have any problems with switching a voucher for the ticket, an attendant came to us before boarding at the train station even when there was a change in schedule. There are some lockers at the train station at Hanoi for your backpacks. We took the overnight train in a Livitrans car from Hanoi to Danang. The cabin (including bedlinen) is clean, some snacks included. The toilets were clean. If you ever took a train in Central- or Eastern Europe, the quality is not worse than those. The last etap before reaching Danang was just breathtaking, the train goes immediately next to the sea with some good views. Overall, I would travel with Livitrans again.

Having read mixed reviews about the sleeper train from Hanoi, we were expecting it either to be great or horrendous. Luckily for us it was great. Firstly, we had no trouble exchanging our voucher for tickets - go straight to the “gate” at Hanoi station and a Livitrans rep in a purple shirt will do the honours. Hanoi station isn’t very large and you shouldn’t have any difficulty navigating around. Arrive 45-60 minutes before, the train should be on the platform ready for you to embark. The cabin of four bunks was clean, a little cramped but there was space to store our bags underneath the bottom bunks. Four bottles of water and coke, bananas, and some lovely cake-things were provided (see photo). As there were four of us, we had the cabin to ourselves, but as previous reviewers have said, if you’re on your own then expect to share. Temperature was just fine, there was air conditioning but not too cold. All bunks had individual lights and USB ports, a thin and thick duvet cover and a pillow - you don’t need to bring additional bed linen. Hot water is provided free, best to bring a sturdy cup and your own tea/coffee, some snacks and some spare water. The toilets were just fine, no worse than UK rail and seemed to be cleaned regularly. Toilet paper was provided but best bring your own just in case. Getting to sleep was a challenge due to the noise, but it’s a train - what do you expect? Overall a great experience, the kids especially loved it!