The Reunification Express, Vietnam.
The Reunification Express connects Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the south. The 1’726km journey takes about 36 hours, crossing towns and villages, foggy mountain passes, endless rice fields and rocky coastlines.
Embarking in Hanoi before before sunrise, a few days before the Tết festivities, I join families, sleepy children and couples returning to their hometown for the holiday. Food, belongings, presents and packages are crammed into every available space.
The pace is slow. I can absorb the ever changing landscape. I chat with my fellow travellers, some speak French, some English. But my camera is too big, too chunky. It intimidates the passengers so I start photographing with my iPhone.
Gradually we reach familiar territory: Hué, Da-nang and finally Saigon.
The ticket office in Hanoi.
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Passengers boarding the train, Hué.
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The train master in Hué.
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Crossing the Ba river delta near Tuy Hòa.
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Mother and son sleeping.
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The rice fields near Vihn.
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Policeman in Vihn.
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The coast near Tuy Hòa.
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Man sleeping in the train restaurant.
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Somewhere between Tuy Hòa and Nha Trang.
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Hué, halfway point.
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Near Dai Lanh.
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Leaving Hué.
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Somewhere between Tuy Hòa and Nha Trang.
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Early morning near Phan Thiet.
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"Hello Kitty". Approaching Saigon.
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Somewhere between Tuy Hòa and Nha Trang.
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Outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City.
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Waiting. Hué.
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The railway station in Saigon.
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