Travel 'in motion' with the railway

The 5-gate cultural heritage train, also known as The Hanoi Train, is operated by BHL Tourism Trade Service Joint Stock Company in collaboration with the Railway Corporation and is attracting visitors to visit and experience. For the first time, a tourist train has been designed specifically to introduce Hanoi culture through the railway journey.

The 5-gate cultural heritage train, also known as The Hanoi Train, is specially designed to introduce Hanoi's culture through the railway journey and is attracting visitors and experiencers. Photo: Thanh Phuong/VNA

According to Mr. Tao Duc Hiep, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BHL Company, inspired by the 5 famous gates in Hanoi's history, this product aims at a model of cultural and experiential tourist train on the Hanoi - Tu Son route (Bac Ninh province), connecting the capital with neighboring heritage areas, reviving memories and bringing tourists back to the unique values ​​of Kinh Bac region.

It can be seen that, while many train routes previously served mainly the needs of travel, now when combined with tours and exploration of local culture, these routes have become part of the package tourism product. Experiential tourism - metro - railway not only brings people and tourists "in motion" with urban railways and inner-city trains, but also increases the efficiency of exploitation and operation of a type of transport.

Regarding urban railway lines, Hanoi has Metro Line 2A Cat Linh - Ha Dong and Line 3 Nhon - Hanoi Railway Station elevated section. Currently, there are 2 tourism products built on this line: Green Journey with Hanoi Metro Green Journey - Van Phuc Silk Village and Green Journey with Hanoi Metro Green Journey - Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam - experience visiting Phu Luong depot station area. At this time, urban railway lines are both 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 Railways Company Limited, said that Hanoi Metro aims to develop a long-term characteristic product for the capital, expanding connections with shopping and dining spots and hotels and accommodation facilities so that tourists do not have to stay in the center at high costs. The unit is also building an application, information leaflets and has deployed daily and weekly tickets, thereby improving the experience for passengers.

With the metro line 2A schedule, visitors can easily access cultural, historical, culinary, and entertainment destinations... during their stopovers at each station. Along with that, using the metro helps reduce traffic congestion and at the same time provides new opportunities to explore the capital in a convenient and environmentally friendly way.

Mr. Tran Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Tourism, assessed that tourism and railways have a mutual relationship, creating more convenient, safe, and rich experience options for tourists, and also helping the railway industry expand its market. With creativity in products and services, the connection between tourism and railways will become a model for inter-industry connection, bringing socio-economic benefits and a beautiful image for the country.

At this time, railways are a safe, economical and environmentally friendly means of transport, and are also part of the tourist experience. At the same time, tourism provides railways with a stable and diverse source of customers, helping to optimize operational efficiency and expand the market.

On the side of Vietnam Railways Corporation, we continuously improve service quality; comprehensively renovate and upgrade passenger cars with convenient interiors such as semi-automatic doors, LED screens, free wifi, and modern design images, blending with the diverse local architecture and culture, thereby enhancing the experience of people and tourists.

Along with that, the railway industry also invested in high-quality trains such as SE19/20, SE21/22, Hoa Phuong Do train, Hue - Da Nang heritage train, Sjourney train across Vietnam, La Reine Da Lat - Trai Mat train; community car rental service (charter), luxury car The Vietage on the Da Nang - Quy Nhon route; exploiting package tours by train to Hue, Da Nang, Quang Binh...

For example, the Hoa Phuong Do train running on the Hanoi - Hai Phong route has quickly attracted a large number of passengers, contributing to growth in both output and revenue. Compared to 2024 (when there was no Hoa Phuong Do train but only fast passenger trains), the number of passengers has increased by 8%, while revenue has increased sharply by 46%. At the peak in May 2025 when the city celebrated the 70th anniversary of Hai Phong Liberation Day, the entire Hanoi - Hai Phong route had 263 trains, transporting more than 142,000 passengers, with revenue exceeding 14 billion VND, up 17% and 52% respectively over the same period last year. The main passengers on the train are young people, students and foreign tourists... to experience food tours and city tours during the day.

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 experience. In the future, the railway industry will continue to coordinate with localities to develop many new products and services, typical of the region to meet market demand and stimulate tourism.

In addition, not only stopping at the on-train experience, the railway industry is also coordinating with the tourism industry to upgrade the stops. Long Bien, Gia Lam, Co Loa stations will be renovated into exhibition spaces, cultural events such as Gia Lam train factory will be developed into a railway museum. Thereby, each train station is not only a stopping place but also becomes a storytelling point, each vehicle is a way to feel the "heartbeat" of the city differently.

In the context of the increasing demand for new and unique tourism products, tourism is breathing new life into the old railway lines, while opening up prospects for many new railway lines. The combination of the railway industry, localities and travel businesses not only helps diversify tourism products, but also contributes to promoting the image of Vietnam as a heritage, creative and friendly destination, and contributes to the sustainable development of old means of transport such as railways.

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