Marisa Vogiatzi, the traveler behind the viral story, recently shared her Vietnamese journey on her personal page. Her video captures a detailed train ride from Da Nang to Hanoi before continuing up to Lao Cai. Through her lens, she offers a completely fresh perspective on Vietnam’s railway system.
Marisa spent 17 hours traveling from Da Nang to Hanoi, paying 1,910,000 VND for her ticket. After arriving in Hanoi, she boarded an eight-hour train to Lao Cai for 543,000 VND. Yet, this long journey offered far more than just an affordable way to travel.
The onboard services and unexpected amenities truly captivated the foreign traveler. Attendants served passengers full meals and refreshing drinks throughout the trip. Remarkably, travelers could even book a relaxing foot massage right in their cabins during the ride.

Weighing her transport options, Marisa noted that a sleeper bus would save her roughly £10 (347,000 VND). Taking the highway would also slash her travel time by two to three hours.
Yet, this minor difference failed to sway her final decision. The train simply delivered a vastly superior level of comfort and physical ease.

She highly appreciated the freedom to walk between different carriages. The train also offered onboard bathrooms and far more spacious living areas than cramped planes or buses. These seemingly minor details provided immense comfort across the grueling journey.
Yet, modern amenities did not impress Marisa the most. Instead, the true magic unfolded as night fell. Her camera captured the warm cabin lights flickering on while a gentle rain tapped against the glass. Distant city lights glowed through the window, transforming her berth into a serene sanctuary. She affectionately called this cozy space her “perfect reading nook.” For Marisa, this deeply atmospheric voyage evoked powerful emotions that monotonous air travel simply cannot replicate.

Following her trip, Marisa did more than just share her personal experience. She actively guided international followers on booking train tickets across Vietnam. To assist interested readers, she even included direct booking links right inside her post.
Online feedback shows her journey sparked immense global curiosity. It also struck a deep chord with veteran rail travelers in Vietnam.
In the comment section, many praised the train’s unhurried pace. This rhythmic, slow motion allows passengers to intimately watch sweeping rice fields, dramatic mountains, and stunning coastlines roll past. High-altitude flights simply fly too fast and high to ever capture these vivid landscapes.
Marisa’s story perfectly mirrors a profound shift in modern global tourism. Travelers no longer prioritize raw speed and efficiency. Instead, a growing number of modern wanderers actively chase deeply emotional and immersive journeys.
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Source: Vietnam Insider
