This is the best train trip to take in 2025 according to Lonely Planet: 1,700 kilometers through magnificent landscapes

A fantastic alternative to more traditional travel is a wonderful train journey that traverses breathtaking landscapes and offers stunning scenery and cities. Despite Spain's many breathtaking railway journeys, the truth is that the specialized publication Lonely Planet hasn't included any domestic route among the best train trips to take in 2025: that honor goes to an iconic route in Vietnam.

The Reunification Express is not just a train ride, but a true symbol of Vietnam. It crosses the entire Southeast Asian country from north to south, and with almost 100 years of history, it's one of the best ways to experience the true essence of the country and get away from the main tourist centers. Therefore, hopping on this train and traveling the nation from end to end is an unforgettable experience that even the most adventurous should add to their list.

The Reunification Express, a unique journey through Vietnam

The Reunification Express railway line was built in the 1930s by French settlers, but was severely damaged during both World War II and the Vietnam War, dividing the country in two. With reunification in 1976 (hence the name), this train once again became key to intranational mobility, covering the 1,726 kilometers between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the nation's two main metropolises.

This north-south journey stops at 175 stations, including major Vietnamese cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as Vinh City, Dong Hoi, Hoi An , and Nha Trang, among others. The entire journey can take up to a day and a half, but the 36 hours offer a unique experience (especially at night, as Lonely Planet points out), thanks to the stunning natural settings and the towns the trains pass through .

From spectacular stretches along the South China Sea to stunning landscapes filled with vegetation in the heart of the country, The Reunification Express is a unique journey that can't be compared with any other train on the planet. Therefore, it's perfect for the most intrepid travelers to embark on an exciting adventure through one of the most special places on the globe.

In addition to this magnificent train journey through Vietnam, Lonely Planet has also highlighted many other train journeys that are ideal for exploring extraordinary places, such as the California Zephyr, located in the United States and traveling through the Americas from Chicago to San Francisco, or the Lake Titicaca train in Peru.