Veterans moved to see the changing capital from the elevated train

(Dan Tri) - Veterans sat on the elevated train, glowing with red and yellow stars, contentedly witnessing the changes in the Capital.

On December 31, 1976, two trains named Thong Nhat departed for the first time at the same time from Hanoi and Saigon stations. On that train, Mr. Nguyen Minh Hung (born in 1956), a son of Hanoi, was a passenger traveling from the South to the North.

49 years later, sitting on another train, Mr. Hung felt familiar emotions welling up again, like the joy of national reunion that year.

"Sitting on the train with the red flag and yellow star, I was given a seat by a young man just like on the train in 1976, because everyone loved him as a soldier.

That coal-fueled train took more than 3 days and nights to get home. There was no air conditioning, the seats were uncomfortable, and the sound was loud, but my heart was filled with joy at that time. Until today, when the A80 is approaching, my emotions are still intact," Mr. Hung laughed.

"The modern, smooth electric trains with many new technologies make me feel the clear development of the country," Mr. Hung was moved.

Mr. Hung shared that this was only the second time he had taken the elevated train and that he and his family had departed from Van Khe station. Holding his phone in his hand, he slowly scrolled through the photos capturing the moment when the whole family gathered on the train.

A train ride away from Mr. Hung (about 6 minutes), Dan Tri reporter met Mr. Cao Viet Thuong, a veteran in Hoa Phu commune (Hanoi), on his way to see the preliminary review of A80.

“It only takes about 22 minutes to travel the 13km journey from Yen Nghia station to Cat Linh station – the starting and ending points of the line. This is a convenient option for people from far away to quickly get to the center to attend the ceremony in a neat and time-saving manner,” Mr. Thuong shared.

He added that the trains used to be the bridge connecting people from one region to another in the early days of the country's unification. Today, the trains continue to connect people in a new rhythm of life, united and joyful, looking forward to a great national festival.

On the Cat Linh - Ha Dong metro line in the days approaching September 2, it is not difficult to see the excited and surprised eyes of the generation, especially those who lived through the war.

At 3am, veteran Nguyen Van Bach departed from An Sinh commune, Quang Ninh province to Hanoi to watch the rehearsal program on August 27. The extended family of 16 people, including grandparents and grandchildren, traveled from Thai Ha station to Cat Linh station to see the streets of the capital from above.

“Every year I still participate in the province's gratitude programs, but this is the first time I have gone to see such a big anniversary program,” Mr. Bach said excitedly.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nguyet (born in 1967) clearly felt the country's rise through the modern train: "It only took me about 20 minutes to travel from Yen Nghia station to Cat Linh station. The train was smooth and the air conditioning was cool. Looking at the crowded crowd of people with colorful flags on the train, I saw how beautiful my Fatherland is."

The Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway project is 13km long, including 12 elevated stations and a depot area of ​​more than 19 hectares located in Ha Dong.

The train line uses 13 trains, each with 4 cars, made of light aluminum alloy, operating at a maximum speed of 80km/h, with an average operating speed of 35km/h.

Each train can accommodate about 950 people, with wide doors, convenient for passengers to get on and off quickly. The entire line is equipped with a centralized control signal system, surveillance cameras, escalators, elevators and modern fire prevention and fighting equipment.

The Cat Linh - Ha Dong line is not only Hanoi's first infrastructure project according to international metro standards, but also a milestone in the urbanization process, contributing to reducing traffic pressure and bringing a civilized and modern experience to the people of the capital.

In the atmosphere of the whole country looking towards the A80 festival, the Cat Linh - Ha Dong urban railway is becoming a convenient choice for many people, especially the elderly.

With a 13km journey, 12 stations, the train operates smoothly and modernly, taking only about 20-25 minutes to travel from Ha Dong to the center of the capital. This is a means of transport that helps shorten the distance, saving energy and time.

Elderly people, such as veteran Nguyen Minh Hung or Mr. Cao Viet Thuong, shared that instead of taking the bus or motorbike and having to worry about traffic jams, sun and rain, taking the train brings comfort, safety and allows them to spend more energy to fully enjoy the festival atmosphere.

For young people, this is also an opportunity to experience a civilized and convenient means of transport, while demonstrating responsibility to the community when participating in important national events.

Photo: Thanh Binh, Khanh Vi, Minh Nhat

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/cuu-binh-xuc-dong-ngam-thu-do-doi-thay-tu-chuyen-tau-tren-cao-20250828092742116.htm