Traveling by bus and by train: In Vietnam versus in Germany

1.     1. Entering/Leaving

   A typical bus or train in Vietnam does not have a screen that shows the list of stations that the train tentatively stops at. Some modern-style buses might have the screen, but it is not everywhere-to-be-found, and it might be more expensive. Meanwhile, each bus or train in Germany has one or more screens that help you to notice the stations that it is coming to, which helps you to easily leave the bus or the train at the right station. 

   When you enter a typical train or bus in Vietnam, you have to climb one or two stages. This is particularly difficult if you are bringing heavy luggages with you. There are also exceptions, such as:
   - The modern-style buses in Ha Noi operated by Vingroup.
   - The “connecting system” between the train and the outside area at Sai Gon Railway Station. With this system, passengers don’t have to climb when entering the train. Instead, they climb via a “slide” a few minutes/seconds before entering the train, which is much easier for luggage-bringing.

Entering/Leaving the train at Sai Gon Railway Station

   However, there is a fact that I don’t really like about entering trains in Germany: the train tracks are “disconnected”. If you want to change from track 1 to track 8, you must go to the basement floor and find the exact way to go to track 8. Trains in Germany also sometimes change the entering track at the very last minute. The disconnection between tracks might make it more difficult to adapt to the track-changing. You might skip the train you want to enter just because you stand at the wrong train track and you spend a few minutes more going to the basement and going back to the right train track (this might be a nightmare if you are carrying heavy luggages).

1   2. Eating on the train

   When you travel by train in Vietnam, you might experience different forms of food-serving:
   - Canteen at the first carriage
   - Snacks or “cháo” (a type of soup made from rice) at night. The staff will go to every room and somehow advertise the products. If you order something, this must make them happy
   - Ordinary food for breakfast, lunch and dinner

   
Ordinary lunch on train in Vietnam

Ordinary dinner on train in Vietnam (I am sorry for the poor light quality)

   In general, the cost is higher (in comparison to buying in supermarkets or eating at ordinary restaurants). For example, a 330ml can of Pepsi normally costs 10000 VND to 12000 VND, but on the train it costs 15000 VND to 20000 VND. However, eating on the train is a worthwhile experience. If you are good enough at geography (and are lucky enough, of course), you can eat at the canteen and enjoy the most stunning views outside the train at the same time. I think these experiences deserve the cost.

Eating at the canteen while the train is passing (former) Ninh Thuan Province

   Unfortunately, I haven’t experienced any such service when going by trains in Germany. Luckily, there are much more good restaurants at railway stations in Germany. Some food stalls are even located next to the train track. You can buy a piece of bread only one minute before entering the train. That’s what I did when I was at Köln Hbf. 

1.     3. Waiting at the bus station or train track

   Waiting at bus stations in Vietnam might be a nightmare. Some “stations” have nothing but a pillar. You can’t have a seat and you don’t know when your desired bus will come unless you use a mobile phone and use “BusMap” application (but “BusMap” is only valid in Ho Chi Minh, Ha Noi and a few other big cities). Meanwhile, in Germany, at each bus station there is a screen that shows the list of buses that will come to that station. This allows you to enjoy waiting as you know how long you will have to wait. Some bus stations have a scenic view and you can also enjoy the view. Similarly, there are a few seats in front of the train tracks in Germany, while in Vietnam there are not. 

In Germany, you know how long you will have to wait for your bus

1.     4. Some other facilities

   Buses and trains in Germany have many types of seats: some for people with bikes, some for “first-class” people (only on trains). You can bring your own bicycle to the bus or the train. I and my family experienced the following situation: we sat at the chairs for those with bicycles on the train although we did not bring one, and then a passenger with a bicycle asked us to leave these seats.

   If you need to go to the basement, you can also use the elevator to bring your bicycle with you (the elevator should be large enough). It is also normal if your bicycle is passing all steps of a staircase at the railway station. There are also paths designed to help bicycles entering the basement floors. When I was eating at KFC Restaurant at the basement floor of Bonn Hbf, I saw a shipper riding his bike.

   Meanwhile, trains and buses in Vietnam impress me in the sense that they are designed for sleeps. There are buses with beds inside (usually there is no seat on these buses). Moreover, a typical train in Vietnam usually has many carriages with rooms and beds and only two carriages with seats. The beds are always cleaned well before passengers come. The price also varies: the higher the bed is, the lower the price. 

Well-treated bed on train in Vietnam