Travel 'moves' along with the railway.

The Hanoi Train, a cultural heritage train operating through five city gates, is being developed and operated by BHL Tourism and Trade Services Joint Stock Company in collaboration with Vietnam Railways Corporation, attracting visitors and offering unique experiences. This marks the first time a tourist train has been specifically designed to showcase Hanoi's culture through a railway journey.

The Hanoi Train, a cultural heritage train through the five city gates, is specially designed to showcase Hanoi's culture through a railway journey and is attracting tourists and visitors alike. Photo: Thanh Phuong/TTXVN

According to Mr. Tao Duc Hiep, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BHL Company, inspired by the five famous historical gates of Hanoi, this product aims to be a cultural tourism train model, offering experiences on the Hanoi - Tu Son (Bac Ninh province) route, connecting the capital with neighboring heritage areas, reviving memories and bringing tourists back to the unique values ​​of the Kinh Bac region.

It can be seen that while many train routes previously served primarily transportation needs, now, when combined with tours and exploration of local culture, these routes have become part of comprehensive tourism packages. Experiential tourism involving transportation – metro and railway – not only allows residents and tourists to "move" along urban rail and inner-city trains, but also increases the efficiency of operating this mode of transport.

Regarding urban railway lines, Hanoi has Metro Line 2A Cat Linh - Ha Dong and Line 3 Nhon - Hanoi Station (elevated section). Currently, two tourism products have been developed on these lines: the Hanoi Metro Green Journey - Van Phuc Silk Village and the Hanoi Metro Green Journey - Temple of Literature - National University - experiencing the Phu Luong depot area. At this time, urban railway lines serve both as a means of transportation and a cultural highlight, connecting famous tourist destinations in Hanoi.

Mr. Khuat Viet Hung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hanoi Railway Company Limited, said that Hanoi Metro aims to develop a long-term, distinctive product for the capital city, expanding connections with shopping, dining, and hotel/accommodation destinations so that tourists do not have to stay in the city center with high costs. The company is also developing an application, informational brochures, and has launched day and weekly passes, thereby enhancing the passenger experience.

With the schedule of Metro Line 2A, tourists can easily access cultural, historical, culinary, and entertainment destinations along the route, stopping at each station. Furthermore, using the metro helps alleviate traffic congestion while providing new opportunities to explore the capital in a convenient and environmentally friendly way.

Mr. Tran Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, assessed that tourism and railways have a mutually beneficial relationship, creating more convenient, safe, and enriching experiences for tourists, and also helping the railway industry expand its market. With creativity in products and services, the connection between the tourism and railway industries will become a model for inter-sectoral connectivity, jointly bringing socio-economic benefits and a positive image for the country.

Currently, railways are a safe, economical, and environmentally friendly mode of transportation, and also an integral part of the tourism experience. Furthermore, tourism provides railways with a stable and diverse customer base, helping to optimize operational efficiency and expand the market.

On the part of Vietnam Railways Corporation, they are continuously improving the quality of service; comprehensively renovating and upgrading passenger carriages with comfortable interiors such as semi-automatic doors, LED screens, free Wi-Fi, and modern designs that blend with the diverse architecture and culture of the locality, thereby enhancing the experience of locals and tourists.

In addition, the railway sector has also invested in high-quality trains such as SE19/20, SE21/22, the Hoa Phuong Do train, the Hue - Da Nang heritage train, the Sjourney cross-Vietnam train, the La Reine Da Lat - Trai Mat train; community charter services, The Vietage luxury carriages on the Da Nang - Quy Nhon route; and developed package tours by train to Hue, Da Nang, Quang Binh, etc.

The Hoa Phuong Do train line, operating between Hanoi and Hai Phong, has quickly attracted a large number of passengers, contributing to growth in both passenger volume and revenue. Compared to 2024 (when the Hoa Phuong Do train did not yet operate and only express passenger trains were available), the number of passengers has increased by 8%, while revenue has surged by 46%. In May 2025, when the city celebrated the 70th anniversary of Hai Phong's liberation, the entire Hanoi-Hai Phong route saw 263 train trips, transporting over 142,000 passengers and generating revenue exceeding 14 billion VND, representing increases of 17% and 52% respectively compared to the same period last year. The main passengers are young people, students, and foreign tourists… seeking day trips to enjoy food tours and city tours.

Mr. Hoang Gia Khanh, General Director of Vietnam Railways Corporation, shared that these innovations not only increase revenue but also expand the customer base, contributing to building the Vietnam Railways brand associated with heritage, culture, and experiences. Going forward, the railway industry will continue to cooperate with localities to develop many new, regionally distinctive products and services to meet market demands and stimulate tourism.

Furthermore, beyond just the onboard experience, the railway industry is also collaborating with the tourism sector to elevate the value of these stops. Long Bien, Gia Lam, and Co Loa stations will be renovated into spaces for exhibitions and cultural events, such as the Gia Lam train factory being transformed into a railway museum. Through this, each train station will not only be a stopover but also a storytelling point, with each mode of transport offering a different way to experience the city's "pulse."

Amidst the growing demand for novel and unique tourism products, the railway sector is breathing new life into long-standing railway lines while opening up prospects for many new routes. The collaboration between the railway industry, local authorities, and travel businesses helps diversify tourism products, promoting Vietnam as a heritage, creative, and friendly destination, while also contributing to the sustainable development of this long-standing mode of transport.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/du-lich-chuyen-dong-cung-duong-sat-20251001084100688.htm