Traveling by train: A "slow but cool" experience

Enjoy the fun of "slow" travel

Unlike planes or buses, trains offer travelers a slow travel experience, where the journey is just as important as the destination. Travelers can relax and enjoy the countryside, mountains, rivers and streams through the windows, feeling the transformation of space and time on each journey.

During a trip to Ho Chi Minh City and to visit relatives, Mr. Nguyen Nhu Tan ( Hanoi ) chose the train as a means of transportation instead of the plane as usual. Sharing about this decision, Mr. Tan said: “I want to have a leisurely journey, to see the beautiful scenery of the country through the train window. Traveling by train feels relaxing, not rushed like traveling by plane. Besides, when tired, I can also rest comfortably in the sleeper cabin.”

The trip, which lasted more than 30 hours, did not make him tired; on the contrary, he felt that this was a new and memorable experience. The roads through Hai Van Pass, the central coastal region or the southern rice fields left a deep impression, making his trip not just a mere movement, but an important part of his journey to discover the country.

Coming to Hai Phong on the weekend, Phuong Thao's group of friends (Hanoi) also chose the train as their means of transportation. Phuong Thao shared: "On the weekend, we invited each other to go out, so we wanted to choose a form of transportation that was both convenient and brought a new feeling. Traveling by train is very comfortable, you don't have to worry about traffic jams like by car, and it only takes more than two hours to get there. The ticket price is more reasonable than renting a private car, and there is a common living space."

Phuong Thao said that Hai Phong station is one of the famous check-in spots that young people love when coming to the city of red phoenix flowers. Therefore, Thao's group also wanted to try the experience. As soon as the train arrived at the station, the group took the opportunity to take a few photos in front of the station's facade with ancient French architecture. The photos here not only preserve the memories of the trip, but also contribute to making the journey to Hai Phong by train more special and memorable.

Hai Phong Railway Station is one of the check-in spots loved by young people. (Photo: HT)

The experience of Mr. Tan or Phuong Thao's group of young people shows that many people have chosen the train to slow down and enjoy the beauty of each route. The open and comfortable space on the train allows visitors to move freely, sightsee, and take photos, creating an emotional and memorable journey that modern means of transport such as airplanes can hardly bring.

Towards green and sustainable tourism

Travel experts say that traveling by train is becoming a popular trend in the smokeless industry, especially when the experience and sustainability factors are increasingly of interest to tourists. Trains are not only a means of transportation but also a part of the journey of discovery, bringing a feeling of relaxation, romance and closeness to nature. Compared to planes or cars, trains allow tourists to admire the beautiful scenery along the way, connecting with local culture in a slower and deeper way. In addition, modern trains with thorough investment in interior, service and cuisine have enhanced the experience, meeting the needs of domestic and international tourists.

Mr. Bui Thanh Tu, Marketing Director of BestPrice Travel Company, said that traveling by train is a form of experience that is very popular in many developed countries, especially in Northern Europe such as Switzerland and Denmark. In Vietnam, with its long terrain and many beautiful railway routes such as the Hai Van Pass, the central coast or the mountainous areas of the Northwest, the potential for developing tourism by train is huge.

The new high-quality train “Hoa Phuong Do” has just been launched. (Photo: nhandan.vn)

According to Mr. Tu, in reality, when traveling by plane or car, tourists can hardly fully feel the majestic and poetic beauty of nature. Only when sitting on the train, slowly passing through those wonderful scenes, can tourists truly "live the journey". Each train window, each journey is a story told through colors, sounds and emotions. It is this rhythm that makes the tourists' journey deeper and more valuable than ever.

However, for this form of tourism to develop, Mr. Bui Thanh Tu said that the prerequisite is to invest in upgrading railway infrastructure. “No one wants to spend money on a trip where the toilets smell, the seats are worn out, or the service is poor,” Mr. Tu said.

Recently, some routes such as Hanoi-Hai Phong or Ho Chi Minh City-Da Nang have been upgraded, creating a good impression on tourists. This is a positive signal and should be replicated. "If properly invested, train tourism will not only contribute to diversifying tourism products but also be an opportunity to promote the beauty of the country in a more subtle and sustainable way," Mr. Tu affirmed.

According to the assessment of Flamingo Redtours General Director Nguyen Cong Hoan, traveling by train is becoming a useful choice in this year's tourist season. Mr. Hoan said that in the context of high airfares, trains have become a means of transport with reasonable costs, suitable for the needs of the majority of tourists. In addition, trains do not only stop at the role of transportation but also open up unique travel experiences. Unlike cars or planes, traveling by train will help tourists, especially families with young children, enjoy the feeling of sleeping overnight on the train, admiring the beautiful scenery of the country through the window.

Mr. Hoan also emphasized that traveling by train will help tourists save a lot of time. “Many train tours are designed so that passengers can rest overnight and start their journey the next morning, instead of spending the whole day traveling like when traveling by car or plane. In particular, this type of tour is also suitable for group travel, when the space on the train creates favorable conditions for organizing activities such as exchanges, group games, small events, thereby increasing cohesion and enriching the experience of tourists,” Mr. Hoan shared.

To develop train tourism into a sustainable direction, in addition to investing in upgrading railway infrastructure and modernizing the station system and railway lines, tourism experts believe that it is necessary to innovate services and build unique tourism products such as sightseeing trains, culinary trains or heritage trains associated with outstanding cultural and natural destinations of each region.

The application of digital technology in ticket booking, schedule lookup, and smart explanations will also help improve service quality. At the same time, close coordination between the railway industry, the tourism industry, and localities is an important factor in building synchronous and attractive tourism products.

Train tourism not only helps enrich tourism products in Vietnam, but also contributes to environmental protection, promotes regional connectivity and brings visitors unforgettable experiences. If properly invested and effectively implemented, train tourism will become a potential and sustainable direction in the future.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/du-lich-bang-tau-hoa-trai-nghiem-cham-ma-chat-post879595.html