Only part of the potential has been exploited.
Recently, railway routes connected to tourist destinations are a strong point for the railway industry to attract many passengers to choose trains as a convenient means of travel.
In 2023, Vietnam's railways were featured in Lonely Planet's "Amazing Train Journeys" - a publication that compiles the world's greatest rail journeys. In particular, the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City railway line was voted the most beautiful and worth-experiencing railway line in the world.
On March 26, the railway industry organized a train run on the Hue - Da Nang section and vice versa. On this journey, the train will stop at Lang Co station for 10 minutes for visitors to admire the beauty, check-in, and take photos of Lang Co Bay - one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Along with that, during the initial period of operation, the train will include 5 air-conditioned soft-seat carriages and 1 community activity carriage. At Da Nang station and Hue station, VIP waiting rooms are arranged to serve passengers. On the journey, visitors can also enjoy local specialties...
In addition, at Hue and Da Nang stations, right in front of the stations, localities have arranged automatic bicycle rentals using QR code scanning for the convenience of tourists visiting scenic spots. In particular, Thua Thien Hue province also applies a discount support policy for organizations and individuals when visiting tourist attractions in Hue (applicable once for each train ticket). It is expected that in April, the train will be equipped with wifi to serve passengers...
Currently, train tickets are sold at 150,000 VND/person/trip for the entire Hue - Da Nang route, 110,000 VND for the Hue - Lang Co route and 70,000 VND for the Lang Co - Da Nang route.
After the experience, Ms. Nguyen Thanh Tu - who lives and works in Hue - shared: “This is the first time I have traveled by train and experienced tourism in the true sense. I can admire the beautiful scenery of the mountains and sea of the Central region, and at the same time enjoy local specialties right on this train. However, I think there should be more staff to introduce tourists to the beautiful scenery and historical sites that the train passes through. Tourists will be willing to pay more for this service if they find it worth it.”
Previously, the Hanoi - Hai Phong route also made an impression when passenger transport output on the route increased, showing much hope for the railway industry when going in the right direction and using good models.
Mr. Tran Van Hanh - Director of Hai Phong Railway Transport Branch explained the reason for the significant increase in the number of passengers arriving in Hai Phong by rail, as the railway industry has cooperated with the Hai Phong Department of Tourism in implementing the Hai Phong food tour model, which has brought many positive results in recent times.
Speaking more clearly about the way to attract train passengers, Mr. Hanh affirmed that Hai Phong has had a big change in thinking from providing passenger transport services to placing transport in the tourism picture, serving tourism. “In terms of actual passenger service, we choose the best quality carriages to put into service on the route. The staff on the route are all trained, coached, and reminded to improve service quality, professional working spirit, and responsibility. Pioneering in allowing full-gas vehicles to be brought on the train, Hai Phong station also coordinates with motorbike rental units and electric vehicle services to integrate connectivity in means of transport. We especially aim to maintain a comfortable mentality for passengers, to attract them back to the railway the next time,” Mr. Hanh informed.
Not only developing affordable train trips, the railway industry also aims to constantly innovate and increase service amenities, aiming for a 5-star train experience like the Hanoi - Da Nang route.
In October 2023, Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) built the brand of high-quality trains SE19/SE20 with its own identity and increased aesthetics to attract passengers on the Hanoi - Da Nang route such as: New paint and investment in some interior equipment to upgrade the seating cars, sleeping cars, hand washing areas... to bring a clean and luxurious feeling. Along with investing in equipment, VNR also selected a team of train attendants (train captains, service staff) who are experienced, have good appearance, skills, good communication and are fluent in English.
With positive changes in recent times, the railway industry has received many positive signals in innovating both the form and quality of service.
In Hanoi alone, according to Mr. Huynh The Son - Hanoi Railway Transport Company, in 2023, the number of passengers traveling by train increased by 42% compared to the previous year, of which the majority were tourists. There are train pairs where international tourists account for over 70% of the number of passengers, such as train SP3/4 on the Hanoi - Lao Cai route, train SE19 on the Hanoi - Da Nang route, etc. The unit is continuing to implement many solutions to attract tourists by rail.
“We are working with localities with a large number of tourists such as Dong Hoi, Hue, Da Nang... to build tourism products associated with railways; Bringing many products to serve tourists such as community carriages, charter trains... and working with partners to build and deploy the operation of luxury tourist trains between Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City and inner-city tourist trains between Hanoi - Tu Son", Mr. Son said.
From the above reality, it can be seen that the railway industry needs to pay more attention to both transport and tourism development, and have more trains with diverse forms of tourism to exploit the potential of the 1,726 km North-South railway running through 21 provinces and cities along with many famous landmarks that have been ranked among the most beautiful railways in the world.
Need long term orientation
Assessing the advantages and pointing out the shortcomings of the railway industry in transport associated with tourism development, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hong Thai - Faculty of Transport Economics (University of Transport) said that what we have done so far is still too modest compared to the resources that the railway industry owns: "Currently, the railway is still simply transporting passengers without services at both ends and services along the journey. This has made railway tourism not really attractive", Mr. Thai said and recognized that in the future, when the North - South high-speed railway is completed, the existing railway line can be used as a tourism product, so from now on, it is necessary to have a suitable exploitation plan soon.
Especially with short-distance routes, passing through many concentrated tourist attractions and having unique features, it is completely possible to become a tourism product.
According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Dat - General Director of AZA Travel, to develop railway tourism, it is necessary to combine other types of services. In addition to investing in building new and renovating train cars, it is necessary to have all-inclusive packages from train transportation, accommodation, and flexible connection of food and beverage to satisfy tourists.
“By developing with focus, choosing to invest in railway lines suitable for tourism, meeting the needs of passengers who want to experience the railway, with good service quality, smooth experience, and restaurant compartments like food tours by rail, then it will be attractive and receive good reviews. When that service is attractive enough, it will continuously attract new customers,” Mr. Dat commented.
Currently, the railway industry has been operating train routes associated with tourism such as Ho Chi Minh City - Nha Trang, Da Lat - Trai Mat, Da Nang - Hue, Ho Chi Minh City - Binh Thuan, Da Nang - Quy Nhon... The Muong Hoa mountain train (Sa Pa) almost always brings profit and gradually attracts more and more tourists to experience.
However, rail tourism needs to be more practical to serve many customer groups. In addition to the regular tourists, it is necessary to target luxury tourists to promote spending and gain economic benefits.
With the available potential of the natural landscape stretching from high mountains to cool blue seas, along with railway development policies and the North-South high-speed railway project, it will be an important driving force for the railway industry to develop tourism and economic growth to contribute to the overall development of the country in the coming time. However, it also poses challenges for the railway industry, requiring specific solutions to overcome the shortcomings or concerns of tourists when traveling by train, especially in terms of meeting needs such as eating and drinking, toilets, relaxation areas that are clean and airy... then railway tourism will truly become a habit of the majority of people, creating sustainable value for the railway industry.
Mr. Dang Sy Manh - Chairman of the Board of Members of Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR): Turning trains into "living museums"
One of the initial results recorded in VNR's change over time is a change in mindset. The mindset here is to be confident, not self-conscious, because the railway has gone through a difficult time in the past, so it finds it difficult and miserable. VNR has been working with partners to research luxury trains on Vietnam's railways or promote cooperation in implementing the 5-star Cross-Vietnam train project to develop tourism and exploit trade.The "5-star trains" will be like a luxury hotel, specializing in tourism, serving high-end customers, running as slowly as possible, carrying as few people as possible, and can even research to build swimming pools on the train, with very high-class services.
In addition, we are focusing on implementing ideas with many major partners to turn the stations into living museums, heritage, cultural and culinary centers. It is expected that in the near future, there will be trains named after provinces, bringing the unique features of each province on board, not only connecting tourism but also promoting investment.
For example, there is a Bac Ninh train that will travel across the country to promote investment, with the province's characteristics on board, promoting culture. Or there will be trains serving heritage, displaying cultural heritage values like an exhibition, stopping in each province for a few days for passengers to see. Many trains themselves are also living heritage with diesel locomotives, or in the near future, a steam locomotive running through Hai Van Pass (2 locomotives have been restored)...
Prof. Dr. Tu Sy Sua - lecturer at the University of Transport: Increasing connectivity to promote rail tourism
The railway industry can participate in tourism development as a means of transport to serve tourists or become special tourism products. However, compared to other forms of transport, railway tourism still has many limitations. Railway tourism has a major limitation in that it cannot be “door to door”, so there must be coordination between railway and road.But in recent years, the railway has promoted tourism development more than before and has also achieved good results. I think this is a good thing for the railway industry. Notably, in the tourism development strategy, the railway has combined with other transport sectors such as aviation and road to increase connectivity, thereby creating more convenience for tourists. This combination has compensated for each other, limited weaknesses and promoted the strengths of each sector. This is the right direction and should continue to develop.
However, in reality, rail tourism still faces difficulties such as limited time, equipment and service quality, so it has not met the needs of tourists. Although the industry has also had solutions to stimulate demand, the quality is not enough for tourists to choose to travel by rail regularly.
To develop tourism, the railway industry must innovate many things, especially service quality. In addition, it is necessary to focus on investing in short-distance routes, passing through many concentrated tourist destinations and having unique features to be suitable as tourism products. Only then can the railway develop sustainably.
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