A unique heritage train

The "Hanoi Five Gates" train is expected to become an iconic tourist product, connecting the culture and heritage of the capital with the Kinh Bac region.

As part of the activities commemorating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd, the "Hanoi 5 Gates" train tour offered by Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) has attracted many locals and tourists.

Discover the unique train

The " Hanoi Five Gates" train is designed with 10 carriages and 2 floors. Five of the passenger carriages are themed around the five famous historical gates of Thang Long - Hanoi: Quan Chuong Gate, Cau Den Gate, Dong Mac Gate, Cau Giay Gate, and Cho Dua Gate. These five gates of ancient Hanoi are associated with many unique historical and cultural stories.

Mr. Hoang Gia Khanh, General Director of VNR, said that the corporation has closely coordinated with implementing units and leading experts in mechanical engineering and manufacturing to focus resources on designing unique train carriages that reflect the cultural heritage of Hanoi. This train is being built to serve the transportation needs of the people and provide a unique experience for tourists, contributing to the development of Vietnamese tourism.

Notably, boarding these train carriages is like stepping into a vibrant cultural space. There, traditional art forms such as cheo (traditional Vietnamese opera), hat xam (blind minstrel singing), and quan ho (Quan Ho folk songs) from Bac Ninh are vividly recreated, bringing culture closer to all audiences.

Ms. Pham Thi Mo, a resident of Cau Giay ward, Hanoi, expressed: "The experience on the 'Hanoi 5 Gates' train was wonderful, allowing me to learn about the culture and history of the capital. The train features many illustrations related to famous historical landmarks and sites of Hanoi. I felt proud, nostalgic, and moved from the moment I stepped onto the train carriage, seeing the ancient bricks of old Hanoi houses. I felt like I was transported back to historical times, while also enjoying and listening to traditional music performances."

Once upon a time, the echoing train whistles, blended with the sounds of stringed instruments and percussion from the xẩm (a type of Vietnamese folk singing), created a simple yet profound cultural tradition. In the past, many xẩm singers gathered at the Hang Co train station – now Hanoi Station – to entertain passengers while they waited for trains. When they needed to travel to other regions to earn a living, they would board trains, bringing their songs and melodies to passengers along the way.

Over time, the art of Xam singing has gradually faded and become less accessible to the general public. The appearance of the "Hanoi 5-Gate" train has contributed to reviving the art of Xam singing in contemporary life.

According to Ms. Dinh Thao, Deputy Director in charge of professional affairs at the Vietnam Center for Promotion and Dissemination of Intangible Cultural Heritage (VICH), performing Xam singing on trains is a continuation of the tradition of this art form. In the past, Xam singers practiced their profession at mobile locations associated with train stations, serving the public.

With the "Hanoi Five Gates" train journey, passengers not only experience unique scenic views but also use the train as a space to promote culture, bringing traditional art closer to domestic audiences and international tourists.

Recreating the art of Xam singing on the "Hanoi 5 Gates" train. Photo: VICH

Returning to our roots

Mr. Tran Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, said that "Hanoi's Five Gates" also recreates the atmosphere of the old town, connecting cultural heritage sites around the capital. This is a new, attractive, creative, and unique product of the capital's tourism industry, and also a linked route between Hanoi and Bac Ninh with many differences.

Furthermore, the Thang Long - Kinh Bac journey not only connects the two localities but also evokes a "return to the roots." Bac Ninh - the Kinh Bac region - is the birthplace of Lac Viet civilization and the origin of the Ly dynasty; today, it is home to 7 UNESCO-listed heritage sites.

A highlight of the "Hanoi 5 Gates" train journey is Tu Son station. Considered a "heritage stop," it opens up a space for experiencing ancient temples, shrines, traditional craft villages, festivals, and Quan Ho folk songs. Among these, the most prominent location is the Do Temple, the resting place of eight kings of the Ly Dynasty – a landmark associated with the decision to move the capital and establish Thang Long, a city with a thousand years of cultural heritage.

Many travel agencies believe that the Hanoi - Bac Ninh experiential tour will help tourists discover many cultural activities and heritage sites in a new way. This unique tourism product will continue to be innovated and enhanced to attract domestic and international tourists.

Mr. Le Cong Nang, General Director of WonderTour, believes that developing tourism tours linked to culture and history not only helps tourists better understand Hanoi and Bac Ninh but also honors the heritage values ​​preserved by these localities. Therefore, these tours will focus on interactive activities, experiences, and art appreciation for tourists.

Integrating cultural and historical elements into public transportation is a relatively new model in Vietnam. The "Hanoi Five Gates" model can be seen as a positive stepping stone, opening up a viable path for preserving urban heritage while integrating it with modern social life.

The "Hanoi Five Gates" train attracts a large number of tourists. Photo: THE HANOI TRAIN

Hanoi welcomed over 2 million visitors during the September 2nd holiday.

According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, during the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd, the city welcomed approximately 2.08 million visitors – three times more than the same period last year; including over 80,000 international visitors, an increase of 35%. Tourism revenue reached approximately 4,500 billion VND, an increase of nearly 80%. Cultural and artistic activities also attracted a large number of tourists.

Among them, the highlights include the "Red Color of Ba Dinh" program, the "Hanoi 5-Gate" train experience, and the exhibition "80 Years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness"...

Source: https://nld.com.vn/doan-tau-di-san-doc-dao-196250904200341065.htm