Train Trip To Hue

Left Hoi An at noon to catch our 1350h train out of Da Nang. Spectacular route along the coast, slowing to 5 km/h around the many curves high above the ocean and picking up to a maximum speed 67 km/h. The digital speed indicator at the front of the car was an amusing contrast to the 300km/h indicator on trains in Europe!

The French built the train running from Saigon to Hanoi. It has never been upgraded; although we were in a car that apparently was new in 2018 it certainly didn't look like it ($4.50 per person for the 2.5 hr trip). Along the way aside from views over the South China Sea, we were both impressed by how mountainous the area was and how difficult it must of been to fight a war in this terrain. Rice fields, water buffalo, quintessential Viet rural villages along the way.

Had the usual multiple offers from taxi drivers waiting for us on arrival, at 120,000 dong ($6). Doug declined, and Grab cost $2. Having contributed already to the economy through the scam the day before, Nancy felt only slightly stingy not supporting the taxi guys.Baca lagi