When traditional art "boards" the cultural train "Hanoi with 5 gates"

The train was inaugurated on August 19 and had its first experience trip on August 31, exclusively for guests, partners, press and media. before officially opening for public sale.

A new perspective on traditional art

The Hanoi 5-gate cultural tourist train is not only the first inner-city tourism product in Hanoi, but also a space for traditional art to shine and become closer to the public.

The Hanoi 5-City Gate project originated from the concern: how to make Hanoi's memories not only stay in books but also move and come alive in today's life. After nearly 5 years of research, more than 300 workers, architects, artists and cultural and tourism experts revived the old train cars, turning them into mobile cultural spaces.

The product is built in the spirit of “slow travel”, emphasizing emotional experiences and cultural connections, and is in line with the “city break” trend – short trips in urban areas that are popular globally.

On the train cars, passengers can enter a vibrant cultural space, where traditional art forms such as Cheo, Xam singing, Bac Ninh folk songs, etc. are vividly recreated, bringing culture closer to all audiences.

According to the group of artists singing Xam on the train led by Ms. Dinh Thao (Deputy Director in charge of professional matters of the Center for Promotion and Promotion of Vietnam's Intangible Cultural Heritage ), performing Xam on the train is a continuation of the tradition of the old Xam singers, who used to practice their profession at mobile locations, attached to the train station and serving the people.

Trains like this not only provide unique scenic experiences for passengers but also serve as a space to promote culture, bringing traditional art closer to the domestic public and international tourists.

Over the past 10 years, Xam art has been difficult to reach the public, but now there are many ways to connect traditional culture, from combining songs with modern music to vibrant performance forms.

According to Ms. Dinh Thao, the group will still maintain the traditional way of playing and singing of the artists, and at the same time tell more Xam stories so that visitors can directly receive and fully feel the traditional cultural and artistic values.

Many tourists on the boat were excited to listen to traditional art, many were even willing to join in, joining in with the performers. This activity brought a direct, vivid experience of traditional art, and at the same time helped tourists deeply feel the value of folk culture through each melody and story.

Journalist Ngo Ba Luc commented that integrating traditional art into tours will create its own appeal, honoring the value of folk art.

“Through this form, traditional culture is widely promoted, helping domestic audiences and international tourists directly experience, approach and feel vividly, while contributing to bringing folk art closer to contemporary life,” journalist Ngo Ba Luc emphasized.

Elevating Vietnamese culture

Participating in the experience of the special train, Director of the Department of Performing Arts, People's Artist Xuan Bac shared: "Our parents and siblings' hometown is Thuan Thanh, Bac Ninh (old), so since childhood, we have grown up in the Kinh Bac cultural source. I am always proud and attached to my hometown.

Therefore, when the Hanoi 5-gate cultural tourist train was put into operation, I was very happy. This is an opportunity to connect Bac Ninh - Hanoi, bringing a unique tourist experience, close to the culture and history of the two regions.

The Hanoi 5-gate cultural tourist train is designed as a mobile work of art, recreating Hanoi's memories in a contemporary space. Long Bien Bridge, Red River, iron gate, bulletin board, cement wall, tiled brick, old French slatted door and Dong Ho folk paintings are delicately integrated.

Materials such as wood, ceramic, rattan, and canvas bring a rustic feel. Each train car has its own unique style, both intimate and artistic. The train consists of 5 cars: O Cau Den, O Quan Chuong, O Cau Giay, O Cho Dua, O Dong Mac, and the check-in car.

Director of Viet Sen Tourism Joint Stock Company Nguyen Van Tai commented that the journey starting from Hanoi Railway Station and ending at Do Temple (Bac Ninh) on an ancient but historically valuable train is a unique tour, combining traditional arts such as Xam singing, Ca Tru singing... with local cuisine, creating a competitive advantage compared to other types.

For half a day, visitors can experience a combination of cuisine and performing arts on the train, not only seeing with their eyes but also deeply feeling the culture.

Hanoi 5 Gates is a unique tourism product, combining many unique traditional cultural values of Vietnam, bringing a close and vivid experience.

The organizers said that because the tourism product is newly exploited, the organizers will continue to research to perfect the tour to make it more attractive.

Right from the first experience, the organizers received many sincere comments from the guests such as the need to continue to increase direct experience activities right on the train, helping visitors have the opportunity to interact more deeply with the culture, adding forms of exchange such as guests singing with quan ho artists, participating in activities with artisans, or immersing themselves in the cultural space of Do Temple heritage...

The railway staff serving on the tour also need to be trained more thoroughly to improve their reception skills and promptly meet the needs of tourists, especially when this journey is expected to attract a large number of international visitors.

The launch of this cultural tourism train is also a practical step, responding to the national cultural industry development strategy, turning heritage into contemporary experiences and contributing to elevating Vietnamese culture on the international map.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/khi-nghe-thuat-truyen-thong-buoc-len-tau-van-hoa-ha-noi-5-cua-o-165242.html