Nam Ninh Adventure: My First Train Journey from Vietnam
For those who are already familiar with tours to China or have visited Nam Ninh multiple times, this review is for you! I'm here to share an incredibly fun experience taking a train from Vietnam. This was precisely why I decided to return to Nam Ninh this time around, and naturally, I opted for a tour.
The Train Experience
The journey spans approximately 13 hours. While that sounds lengthy, my experience was smooth. I boarded at 9 PM, enjoyed a good night's sleep, and woke up to arrive at 9 AM the next morning.
Onboard Amenities
- Four-berth compartments offering comfortable sleeping arrangements.
- Clean bedding and surprisingly new interiors.
- Two separate restrooms.
- A spacious area for brushing teeth and washing up.
The key advantage was the comfort of the sleeper berths, making it an excellent option for those prone to motion sickness. The downside? We had to go through immigration and customs procedures in the middle of the night, which took about an hour.
Hotel Comfort
I stayed at a local 5-star hotel located right in the city center. It was a mere 3 kilometers, or about 15 Chinese Yuan by taxi, to reach the night market. The room was spacious, airy, and impeccably clean. A delightful bonus was the presence of a bidet and convenient two-pin electrical outlets. The city view from the room was also quite lovely.
Culinary Delights
Most meals were part of the tour package, including a memorable milk hot pot experience. The group meals were generous, and I particularly enjoyed the fried eggs and the selection of boiled vegetables that varied with each meal. What stood out for me was that the food wasn't overly spicy, which is perfect since I can't handle much heat. This aspect alone deserves a perfect score! While Chinese cuisine can often be greasy, I found the food in Nam Ninh to be quite palatable. So, if you're worried about excessively spicy Chinese food, this tour offers a pleasant alternative.
Must-Visit Attractions
Tương Tư Hồ Trấn
This is an artificial ancient town. While it's on the smaller side, it does offer some nice photo opportunities. Personally, I found it a bit too petite for my liking.
Nam Ninh Chi Dạ
This vibrant area is a food street and a fantastic spot for photos, reminiscent of Hoi An Ancient Town but on a grander scale. It's alive with performances, music, and a dazzling array of food stalls, easily numbering close to a hundred. The place truly comes alive at night when all the lights are on, making it a highly recommended visit. Be aware that it's a bit of a distance from the city center, around 20-30 kilometers.
Bình Tây Night Market
This night market is conveniently located near my hotel. It's another food street, but with a more down-to-earth vibe. You'll find a vast assortment of food stalls here, catering to every craving. It's more of an eating destination than a shopping one, and it gets incredibly crowded, so prepare to navigate through the throngs of people.
Qing Xiu Mountain Park (Thanh Tú Sơn)
This park is immense, stretching out with vast green spaces and numerous picturesque spots perfect for capturing beautiful floral shots.
Tam Ngõ Nhị
This is primarily a shopping street, focusing on clothing, shoes, and accessories. It's geared towards retail therapy rather than traditional sightseeing, so don't expect too many iconic photo backdrops.
Tàipíng Ancient Town (Thái Bình Cổ Trấn)
I was thoroughly impressed with this place. The architecture here truly makes you feel like you've stepped into China. There are plenty of photo opportunities, numerous cafes, and the expansive grounds could easily keep you entertained for an entire day. I noticed several shops offering costume rentals, which looked promising, but the intense heat that day made me decide against it.
Overall Verdict
Considering the price of around 4 million Vietnamese Dong, the experience of traveling by train felt quite worthwhile. The hotel and food were satisfactory, and the evenings offered the freedom to explore the night markets at leisure. This Nam Ninh trip, particularly the train journey, was a delightful adventure.
