The Hue–Da Nang Heritage Train (HD-series) is a separate tourist service from the regular Reunification Express trains that share the same track. It runs twice daily in each direction, carries a live Ca Hue music performance, and stops at Lang Co. Tickets cost more than the regular train and seats are limited — it is worth knowing what you are buying before you book.
Heritage Train vs the Regular Train
Regular SE-series trains (Reunification Express) run six or more times daily between Da Nang and Hue. They are intercity trains: air-conditioned, assigned seats, no entertainment. Most travellers use them to get between the two cities without thinking much about the journey.
The Heritage Train (HD1–HD4) is a separate product run by Vietnam Railways specifically for the tourist route. The differences:
- Older rolling stock with openable windows
- Live Ca Hue traditional music on board (included in the ticket)
- A 10-minute stop at Lang Co station
- Slower schedule — around 3.5 hours vs ~2.5 hours for the faster SE trains
- Food and drinks sold on board
- Higher ticket prices: 180,000–460,000 VND depending on class and day, vs around 60,000–120,000 VND for a standard SE seat
The scenery is the same on both. The Hai Van Pass coastal section — the reason most people want this route — takes about 20 minutes regardless of which train you are on. What the heritage service adds is the stop, the music, and the slower pace through that section.
Timetable & Train Codes
Four services run daily. HD1 and HD3 go from Hue to Da Nang; HD2 and HD4 go from Da Nang to Hue:
| Train | Direction | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD1 | Hue → Da Nang | 6:30 am | ~10:00 am |
| HD2 | Da Nang → Hue | 7:45 am | ~11:30 am |
| HD3 | Hue → Da Nang | 1:00 pm | ~4:30 pm |
| HD4 | Da Nang → Hue | 2:20 pm | ~5:30 pm |
All four stop at Lang Co for 10 minutes. Check current times before travel — Vietnam Railways adjusts the schedule periodically.
Seat Options & Prices
Two classes are available:
- Standard Seat: 180,000 VND weekdays / 210,000 VND weekends
- VIP Seat: 395,000 VND weekdays / 460,000 VND weekends — wider seats, more legroom, better window position
The music performance is included in both classes. Food and drinks are extra. VIP seats were added in April 2026 and sell out on weekends.
Book through 12Go, Baolau, Vietnam Railways (dsvn.vn), or at station counters. QR-code e-tickets are accepted on board.
Food & Drinks on Board
A trolley runs through the carriages during the journey. The menu is small and priced for tourists rather than locals:
- Bánh bột lọc (tapioca dumplings with shrimp) — 60,000 VND
- Bánh bao (steamed buns) — 35,000 VND
- Coffee — 40,000–50,000 VND
- Tea — 35,000 VND
- Fresh juice — 45,000 VND
- Beer — 25,000 VND
There is no proper meal service. If you want lunch on board, bring something from Da Nang or Hue. The morning departures leave time to pick up bánh mì at or near the station.
Music on Board
Ca Hue is traditional court music from Hue, played during the journey on instruments including the đàn bầu (single-string monochord), đàn tranh (16-string zither), and đàn nhị (two-string fiddle). Performances last 30–45 minutes and typically run during the Hai Van Pass section.
Ca Hue originated in the Nguyễn dynasty royal court and was historically performed on boats on the Perfume River. It was listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2023.
Which Direction to Travel
The sea-view window depends on which way you are going:
- Da Nang → Hue (HD2 / HD4): Sit on the right side as you face forward for sea views on the coastal section.
- Hue → Da Nang (HD1 / HD3): Sit on the left side as you face forward.
For a day trip from Da Nang: take HD2 (depart 7:45am, arrive Hue ~11:30am) and return on HD3 (depart Hue 1:00pm, arrive Da Nang ~4:30pm). That gives around 90 minutes in Hue — enough for the Imperial Citadel entrance but not much else. Most people doing Hue properly stay at least one night.
Tips
- Book VIP seats at least a week ahead on weekends — they sell out. Standard seats have more availability but the whole service is smaller than a regular train.
- The Lang Co stop is 10 minutes. Step out for fresh air and a view of the lagoon, but stay close to the train.
- Charge your phone the night before. The coastal section is where everyone is shooting at once and batteries go fast.
- Buses don’t use the pass. All buses and most cars use the Hai Van Tunnel, which bypasses the mountain entirely. The train is the only scheduled transport that crosses the coastal section.
- Combine with a motorbike ride: Some people take the train one way and ride the old pass road (21 km of mountain curves above the railway) the other way — the two routes give completely different views of the same geography.
Getting to the Station
Da Nang Railway Station is at 202 Hai Phong Street, 3 km from My Khe beach and 5 km from the airport. A Grab from the beach takes 10–15 minutes and costs around 50,000–70,000 VND.
Hue Railway Station is at the western end of Le Loi Street, 1 km from the Imperial Citadel. Most guesthouses in the centre are walkable, or a short Grab (20,000–30,000 VND).
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