Livitrans
Livitrans
3
About
LIVITRANS is a legal entity established by Vietnamese Authorities based in Hanoi, Vietnam. With more than 10 years of operation, LIVITRANS always feel confidential to be a best accompany to all partners. LIVITRANS focuses on supplying transportation service on luxury train with lines: Hanoi – Sapa (Lao Cai province) – Hanoi Hanoi – Hue – Hanoi Hanoi – Da nang – Hanoi We do hope to have a close co-operation with any potential partner in the near future with our mutual benefit. For more information, please visit our above-mentioned Website or send us an E-mail. We are very sorry in case this E-mail causes any inconvenience to you. Your faithfully, Nguyen Hong Que (Mrs.) Vice president
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3.0
113 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
33
Average
21
Poor
19
Terrible
21
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Dana S
4 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We paid a pretty penny for a 2 cabin sleeper train from Hanoi to Sapa after reading great reviews. When we boarded, we were initially placed in a 4 bed cabin, sharing with another couple. After questioning it, we were moved to a 2 bed cabin on a much lower quality carrier (Laman Express) and were told that Liberians was overbooked, despite us booking 5-6 months in advance
Written 20 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Unalome W.
Bangkok, Thailand2,623 contributions
July 2023 • Family
I think Levitrans possibly tried their best to accommodate their customers comfortably in the train, but it was the infrastructure of Vietnam railways that is the problem not its agencies. Despite the non-smoking symbol, the train conductor let passengers smoke in the carriages with closed windows. This happened throughout the 16 hours train journey from Hanoi to Danang. The same conductor had his whole family with wife, an elderly and a child to be with him while on duty. The conductor somehow laid down on passenger’s bed before their arrival - and this is not the only one bed but almost every bed possible. No respect, no shame to anyone or anything. The trains are incredibly dirty like its never been properly cleaned.
Written 5 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jana
Aue14 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We took the night train from Hanoi to Dong Hoi. With our e-ticket, we were given our correct tickets by the admission staff at the station without being asked to do so. Everything went smoothly and on time.
Our four-person cabin was very clean, the beds were freshly made and there were bananas, biscuits, instant coffee and tea as well as water for everyone. A bedside lamp bathed everything in a cozy light.
A train attendant was available in his cabin in the carriage at any time to answer questions and also announced when we were getting off.
The toilets were quite clean.
We didn't sleep much because of the loud train noises, but it was a fantastic experience for all of us!
Our four-person cabin was very clean, the beds were freshly made and there were bananas, biscuits, instant coffee and tea as well as water for everyone. A bedside lamp bathed everything in a cozy light.
A train attendant was available in his cabin in the carriage at any time to answer questions and also announced when we were getting off.
The toilets were quite clean.
We didn't sleep much because of the loud train noises, but it was a fantastic experience for all of us!
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arnaud L
2 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The train was really dirty, both cabins and common areas (toilets in particular). The crew mentionned a "technical incident" which delayed the cleaning, but reading other reviews pointing out the same things, we may have some doubts...
Our bedsheets smelled, we privatized a 4 beds cabin for the 2 of us and took the "soft mattress" option but they were very hard, which is weird because all other beds we had in Vietnam were fine. There were also some little flies in the cabin.
Take warm clothes : it is really cold with air conditionning and the blankets are thin - we slept fully dressed including sweaters.
We took over night train companies in Vietnam and they were much better. Definitely wouldn't recommend New Livitrans, they are not even cheaper than their competitors.
Our bedsheets smelled, we privatized a 4 beds cabin for the 2 of us and took the "soft mattress" option but they were very hard, which is weird because all other beds we had in Vietnam were fine. There were also some little flies in the cabin.
Take warm clothes : it is really cold with air conditionning and the blankets are thin - we slept fully dressed including sweaters.
We took over night train companies in Vietnam and they were much better. Definitely wouldn't recommend New Livitrans, they are not even cheaper than their competitors.
Written 25 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
babbledebs
Brisbane, Australia170 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
We booked this journey directly with Vietnam railways, afterwards I read several negative reviews regarding the quality of the cabin and the journey and quite frankly I was dreading it.
Hanoi - Hue overnight sleeper.
Soft sleeper 4 berth.
The carriage was clean and tidy, bedding was fresh. There is reading lamps and blinds. The actual bunks are quite hard and you can't turn the air con off, however with 4 people in one small room it could get stuffy so I would say this is required.
After we left the station a trolley service came through offering beers and soft drinks- there is free hot and cold water I suggest you bring your own cup as the ones provided are limited and flimsy.
At the end of the carriage is a small sink/ wash area and a toilet with sink there was loo roll but again take your own.
This was a 14 hour journey in total- we slept for most of it waking about 7am when they offer tea and coffee. We shared our room with a couple of very pleasant folk.
Overall great trip don't be put off by the bad reviews as I was because there's nothing to be afraid of.
Would I do it again that's a hell yeah!!
Hanoi - Hue overnight sleeper.
Soft sleeper 4 berth.
The carriage was clean and tidy, bedding was fresh. There is reading lamps and blinds. The actual bunks are quite hard and you can't turn the air con off, however with 4 people in one small room it could get stuffy so I would say this is required.
After we left the station a trolley service came through offering beers and soft drinks- there is free hot and cold water I suggest you bring your own cup as the ones provided are limited and flimsy.
At the end of the carriage is a small sink/ wash area and a toilet with sink there was loo roll but again take your own.
This was a 14 hour journey in total- we slept for most of it waking about 7am when they offer tea and coffee. We shared our room with a couple of very pleasant folk.
Overall great trip don't be put off by the bad reviews as I was because there's nothing to be afraid of.
Would I do it again that's a hell yeah!!
Written 11 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ghf
Melbourne, Australia46 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
I'm writing this as there appear to be very few reviews of the Violette service which is equivalent to Livitrans but by a separate operator. My family of four booked a Violette sleeper carriage for the overnight SE1 train from Hanoi to Hue. After reading the various reviews of the sleeper trains (bugs, noise, dirty sheets) I was somewhat worried about the experience with my two young children. However, our experience could not have been much better. We booked our tickets through the Train to Sapa agency which included a free transfer from our hotel to the station. Our agent helped with our luggage and saw us right on to the train so there was no confusion of where to go. The carriage itself was spotless! The bedding looked brand new, there was beer, soft drinks, bananas, wet wipes and wafer biscuits available. There are power points, choice of soft/bright/no lighting, air conditioning. No sign of bugs. Our children slept solidly for 9-10 hours! I briefly looked in at the Livitrans cabins and the standard soft sleepers and I would say the Violette cabins did seem significantly more modern and welcoming.There was a small amount of noise early in the evening from a neighbouring cabin but nothing disruptive. The doors locked and we weren't disturbed by train staff at any point (-you could hear them pushing drinks/snack trolleys in the evening and early morning but when the door was locked they didn't knock). The downside? Well, yes, the toilets weren't great. They were cleaned several times during the journey but became unpleasant very quickly. There was one soggy ragged hand-towel and no soap. I travelled with antiseptic cleaning wipes, toilet seat covers, and hand wipes and we got by ok. There's also drinking water and a clean washbasin at either end of the carriage so you can freshen-up/brush teeth without needing to brave the toilet cubicle. I would absolute recommend Violette to others. It's not luxury travel but you are not paying for the Orient Express. Aside from the toilets it was a great way to travel and was actually one of our kids' highlights of their Vietnam trip!
Written 16 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thredcount
31 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
On April 28 we took the 19:30 SE1 train from Hanoi to Da Nang (arriving 1130 the next day), in the recently renovated Livitrans Express (carriage 12). As intensive travellers who fly everywhere, we liked the old school romance of an overnight train trip and then spending 5 hours in the morning looking at the central region of Vietnam fly past our window - the views approaching Da Nang were spectacular!
The journey lived up to expectations, we took our printed e-ticket & exchanged it for a train ticket with the conductor once on board. Our room with 4 bunks was clean, with fruit, biscuits and water provided and romantically lit. We were especially happy that we received our lower level bunks as requested when we made the booking with Baulou website, which allows you to book train tickets in Vietnam online.
Remember when you take this trip that there is no dining car, so you have to self cater. We had a very friendly concierge offer to sell us a bottle of red wine before we left (which we accepted) but then also served us coffee in plastic cups in rapid succession the next morning until we realised they weren't complementary! We imagine this was all black market with the concierge lining his pockets on the side - there was no menu list for example and getting our 200,000 change took many hours and some persuasion. But we didn't care - we had been wanting to try to local Da Lat red wine and sipping it in our darkened cabin as we headed out of Hanoi was priceless.
The trip was well worth doing and at the same price or cheaper than most flights, was an easy purchasing decision. Just remember in advance that this isn't a business class flight cabin on Qatar or Emirates but a clean hostel on train tracks in Vietnam - and with famously cool air conditioning so remember to bring some clothing layers. Understanding this, the experience was well worth it. Just always remember the dual economy here and if you are stressed about it, ask explicitly what something will cost before accepting it
The journey lived up to expectations, we took our printed e-ticket & exchanged it for a train ticket with the conductor once on board. Our room with 4 bunks was clean, with fruit, biscuits and water provided and romantically lit. We were especially happy that we received our lower level bunks as requested when we made the booking with Baulou website, which allows you to book train tickets in Vietnam online.
Remember when you take this trip that there is no dining car, so you have to self cater. We had a very friendly concierge offer to sell us a bottle of red wine before we left (which we accepted) but then also served us coffee in plastic cups in rapid succession the next morning until we realised they weren't complementary! We imagine this was all black market with the concierge lining his pockets on the side - there was no menu list for example and getting our 200,000 change took many hours and some persuasion. But we didn't care - we had been wanting to try to local Da Lat red wine and sipping it in our darkened cabin as we headed out of Hanoi was priceless.
The trip was well worth doing and at the same price or cheaper than most flights, was an easy purchasing decision. Just remember in advance that this isn't a business class flight cabin on Qatar or Emirates but a clean hostel on train tracks in Vietnam - and with famously cool air conditioning so remember to bring some clothing layers. Understanding this, the experience was well worth it. Just always remember the dual economy here and if you are stressed about it, ask explicitly what something will cost before accepting it
Written 29 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jordi
Sant Cugat del Valles, Spain3 contributions
Aug 2019
In Vietnam, the national railway company operates all trains. In its webpage (dsvn.vn) you can find destinations and prices, but you can not buy tickets using outside Vietnam issued credit cards.
On the other hand, there are several companies (New Livitrans Express for instance) that are foreign tourist oriented agencies. When you buy a ticket to them, in fact, what they do is to buy a ticket to the national railway company for you, so you are assigned a standard cabin, but they provide extra services: they put their own linen in the berths, provide a bottle of water, and some food. For this services they charge more than double of the real ticket cost.
We travelled using New Livitrans Express during August 2019 from Hanoi to Da Nang (17 hours). The cost of the ticket in the national website (dsvn.vn) was 939.000 VND = 41 USD, but we payed to New Livitrans Express 90 USD instead.
For this difference of price we got the following services:
- We were able to pay with non-Vietnamese credit card.
- One employee of New Livitrans Express put their own linen on top of the linen that was already in the cabin.
- One bottle of water, one banana, one small bag of snacks.
- The employee of New Livitrans Express come to the cabin to ask if everything was correct.
For the rest, we used the same train as the people who bought the ticket in the train station, we used the same bathroom and everything was the same, .... except the price that was more than the double.
We used New Livitrans Express just because we didn't know how the system worked. If I have to use again, I'll buy the standard tickets. No need to use these tourists agencies, exaggerated expensive for what they call "additional services".
On the other hand, there are several companies (New Livitrans Express for instance) that are foreign tourist oriented agencies. When you buy a ticket to them, in fact, what they do is to buy a ticket to the national railway company for you, so you are assigned a standard cabin, but they provide extra services: they put their own linen in the berths, provide a bottle of water, and some food. For this services they charge more than double of the real ticket cost.
We travelled using New Livitrans Express during August 2019 from Hanoi to Da Nang (17 hours). The cost of the ticket in the national website (dsvn.vn) was 939.000 VND = 41 USD, but we payed to New Livitrans Express 90 USD instead.
For this difference of price we got the following services:
- We were able to pay with non-Vietnamese credit card.
- One employee of New Livitrans Express put their own linen on top of the linen that was already in the cabin.
- One bottle of water, one banana, one small bag of snacks.
- The employee of New Livitrans Express come to the cabin to ask if everything was correct.
For the rest, we used the same train as the people who bought the ticket in the train station, we used the same bathroom and everything was the same, .... except the price that was more than the double.
We used New Livitrans Express just because we didn't know how the system worked. If I have to use again, I'll buy the standard tickets. No need to use these tourists agencies, exaggerated expensive for what they call "additional services".
Written 27 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Sirs/Madams,
LIVITRANS is a legal entity established by Vietnamese Authorities based in Hanoi, Vietnam. (NOT NEW LIVITRANS. NEW LIVITRANS IS THE FAKE ONE)
With more than 10 years of operation, LIVITRANS always feel confidential to be a best accompany to all partners.
LIVITRANS focuses on supplying transportation service on luxury train with lines:
Hanoi – Sapa (Lao Cai province) – Hanoi
Hanoi – Hue – Hanoi
Hanoi – Da nang – Hanoi
Sai Gon – Nha Trang – Sai Gon
And the public price for Livitrans as:
Hà Nội - Đà Nẵng (SE3) SE3 : 19h30 – 11h26: 1.550.000vnd = 67usd only but not 90usd as you paid.
The price is INCLUDE:
- 1 bottle of water
- 1 can of coke
- snack
- Wet tissue
- 1 banana
- 1 pack of breakfast
- Tea be served right after train start.
- Private Livitrans clean drap, banket, pillow
- Clean cabin and toilet
- Livitrans staff
Written 29 August 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lovelefox
Hanoi, Vietnam16 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We were just two of us in a 4 berth and wr woke to have one of the staff members had unlocked our door and was quietly going through our belongings. My husband woke to him reaching past his face to steal his phone that was plugged in on charge!!! Nearly decked the guy only to put the light on and realise he was in Livitran uniform!!! Employee just pointed to the sign saying "protect your belongings at all times" like it was our fault for falling asleep IN THE SLEEPER TRAIN for him to rob us. If my husband had hit him - WE would have been likely arrested for assaulting a government/train employee.
What a nightmare!
The ticketing was ridiculous too!
We had no idea where to change our printed booking pass into a ticket. Turns out you dont. you just show up to the carriage door and some guy in casual clothes and no English just looks at the print out and gives you a receipt.
On the return leg he couldnt even understand what carriage number we were in. We had to argue that it was correct on the pass as per marked on the outside of the carriage.
The beds and carriages are terrible, unclean, uncomfortable. Take a silk bed liner and pillow cover.
OR BEST YET- DONT DO IT. Not even because it's cheap because they'll just rob it out of you another way.
What a nightmare!
The ticketing was ridiculous too!
We had no idea where to change our printed booking pass into a ticket. Turns out you dont. you just show up to the carriage door and some guy in casual clothes and no English just looks at the print out and gives you a receipt.
On the return leg he couldnt even understand what carriage number we were in. We had to argue that it was correct on the pass as per marked on the outside of the carriage.
The beds and carriages are terrible, unclean, uncomfortable. Take a silk bed liner and pillow cover.
OR BEST YET- DONT DO IT. Not even because it's cheap because they'll just rob it out of you another way.
Written 19 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krysti
Newport, UK88 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
I had booked livitrans Hanoi - Hue before arriving in Vietnam and after reading all the reviews I was dreading it!
I was pleasantly surprised. The cabin was pretty clean, no where near as bad as it said online! We had water and noodles (with hot water facilities down the corridor). There was a lovely English couple in the cabin with me and also a Vietnamese male who was also polite.
It wasn't over crowded in the corridors etc like the reviews say on here. In fact the only bad thing was the toilets stank by the morning! And we had annoying, loud tourists (European and American) next to us that were up late and just being loud!
I would recommend take your own food, ear plugs, water etc. The train isn't that smooth, so if you're a light sleeper you may struggle. I had been really unwell the two days prior to my trip and I still slept fine.
The views were pretty cool.. Not overly exciting but interesting to see.
The staff made sure we knew it was our stop.
I was pleasantly surprised. The cabin was pretty clean, no where near as bad as it said online! We had water and noodles (with hot water facilities down the corridor). There was a lovely English couple in the cabin with me and also a Vietnamese male who was also polite.
It wasn't over crowded in the corridors etc like the reviews say on here. In fact the only bad thing was the toilets stank by the morning! And we had annoying, loud tourists (European and American) next to us that were up late and just being loud!
I would recommend take your own food, ear plugs, water etc. The train isn't that smooth, so if you're a light sleeper you may struggle. I had been really unwell the two days prior to my trip and I still slept fine.
The views were pretty cool.. Not overly exciting but interesting to see.
The staff made sure we knew it was our stop.
Written 10 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you tell me what the departure date? For your information:
- Cancellation before 72h departure time: 10% refund of cancellation fee.
- Cancellation before departure 48h: 20% refund of cancellation fee.
- Cancellation before departure 24 hours: 50% refund.
- From 24 hours to the departure time can not be canceled.
Written 9 August 2019
Tom2Wander
London, United Kingdom
Hi, would you mind telling me how the luggage works? We will be travelling as a family of four, and have the luggage to prove it! Are you able to keep all your luggage in the 4 berth cabins or do you need to check the larger bags into a hold carriage?
Thanks
Written 31 July 2018
You can store the luggage
- under the beds (1-1 larger bag)
- there is a kind of overhead storage place which can hold maybe 2-3 large backpacks or suitcases
I am not sure if you can store baggage anywhere else on the train, but I think that the place has to be enough for a family of four.
Written 31 July 2018
Hi everyone,
I would like to know how did you buy the tickets for the "Hanoi to Sapa" journey.
Thanks in advance.
Best regards,
Michel.
Written 17 January 2018
Dear Michel. You can visit web livitrans and send email to book. Livitrans is the most cleaness train in VN
Written 18 January 2018
A Tripadvisor member
County Durham, United Kingdom
Hi, Im looking to book the Livitrans from Hanoi to Hue. Where did you book the tickets? I'm looking to avoid having to swap the voucher for a ticket if possible?
Written 10 September 2017
You can book direct to Livitrans through it website
Written 18 January 2018
Hi,
Can you remember what train this was. Was it the SE2?
Thanks
Adam
Written 29 January 2017
Hi there has been some confusion about SE1 Livitrans on 9/2/2016, can you tell me if this is still running between Hanoi and Hue?
TIA
Written 21 January 2016
Yes it is, we recently took the 4th berth soft sleeper and although we got off at Hue I understand it continued to HCM.
Happy travels!
Written 16 March 2016
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