Experience of taking the Hanoi Heritage Train: Discovering the Capital of "5 Gates"

Launched on August 19, 2025, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, Hanoi Heritage Train – also known as The Hanoi Train – has quickly become a unique rail tourism product that attracts a large number of tourists. With a luxurious two-storey design inspired by the five gates of Thang Long, the train offers a journey to explore the culture, history and scenery of the capital in a completely new way. In this article, you will find useful experiences from how to book tickets, experience on the train to nearby attractions, making the trip more complete.

1. What is Hanoi Heritage Ship?

Take the tourist train "Hanoi 5 gates", experience culture and technology (Photo source: Collected)

The Hanoi Heritage Train, also known as “Hanoi 5 gates”, is a unique double-decker tourist train operated by Vietnam Railways Corporation . The train consists of 10 carriages, including 5 passenger carriages designed with themes related to the five famous gates of ancient Thang Long: Quan Chuong Gate, Cau Den Gate, Dong Mac Gate, Cau Giay Gate and Cho Dua Gate. The entire interior is in a classic style with natural wood materials, warm yellow lights and a wide-open panoramic window system, giving visitors the opportunity to admire the capital's landscape from a completely new perspective.

The special feature of the train is not only the movement but also the vivid cultural experience right on the journey. Tourists will enjoy traditional art melodies such as ca tru, quan ho, hat xam, combined with modern culinary services and mini bars. The launch event in August 2025 quickly caused a big buzz, making this train route one of the most attractive Hanoi travel experiences of the year. This is also a suggestion worth considering in the list of Hanoi heritage train travel experiences for those who love to explore the beauty of the intersection between the modern and the past.

2. Hanoi Heritage Train Schedule and Timetable

Inside the Hanoi heritage train (Photo source: Collected)

To have a complete journey, visitors should refer to the experience of traveling on the Hanoi heritage train in advance, especially the schedule and departure time. Currently, the heritage train operates regularly every day with 3 main trips, creating flexibility for visitors to choose:

• Morning: Depart at 8:00 a.m. at Hanoi Station – the ideal time to enjoy the fresh air at the beginning of the day.
• Afternoon: Departs at 2:00 p.m., suitable for those who want to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the suburbs and capture check-in moments.
• Evening: Starting at 8:30pm, opens up a magical, shimmering experience as Hanoi lights up.

The ship operates two main routes:

• Daytime journey (Hanoi – Tu Son, Bac Ninh): From Hanoi Station, the train passes through Long Bien, Gia Lam, Yen Vien Stations and ends at Tu Son Station. The total time is about 1 hour and 40 minutes, enough for visitors to both sightsee and visit the highlights of Kinh Bac region such as Do Temple – a relic associated with the Ly Dynasty. This is also an opportunity to explore more of the unique culture and history of Bac Ninh.
• Night journey (around Hanoi): The train passes through prominent areas such as Long Bien, Gia Lam, Yen Vien, Dong Anh, Phu Dien, Ha Dong and then returns to Hanoi Railway Station. The special feature of the trip is the space to enjoy traditional art on the train, combined with the sparkling view of the capital.

Each time frame brings its own experience: peaceful morning, colorful afternoon, and magical evening. For those who want to combine Hanoi night tour or experience the ancient cultural beauty, this is definitely a journey not to be missed.

3. Experience traveling on the 2-storey Hanoi heritage train to see the entire capital

If you are looking for a new experience when exploring the capital, the Hanoi heritage train travel experience below will help make your journey more complete and convenient.

A corner inside the Hanoi heritage train (Photo source: Collected)

3.1. Prepare documents when booking tickets

During the initial operation phase, the train's ticket checking system uses biometric technology, so passengers need to bring their chip-embedded ID cards when boarding the train. From September 2025, passengers can use VNeID to check-in quickly, instead of scanning traditional documents. Currently, the experience ticket is open for free from August 19, 2025 for invited guests and passengers to try. Starting from September 2025, passengers can buy official tickets at:

• Ticket counter at Hanoi Railway Station (120 Le Duan, Hoan Kiem)
• Book tickets online: follow Vietnam Railways website to update the latest schedule and information

Since this is a completely new tourism product, you should proactively book tickets early, especially during peak times such as National Day on September 2. Avoid buying through unofficial channels to ensure transparent ticket prices and correct itinerary information.

3.2. Suggestions for appropriate clothing when traveling on a heritage train

The interior of the train is designed in a nostalgic style, combined with sophisticated wooden furniture, ideal for taking check-in photos. You can choose vintage clothes, traditional ao dai, maxi dresses or clothes with outstanding colors to create highlights on the classic space. Some interesting suggestions are modernized ao dai or retro-style outfits. In addition, prepare comfortable shoes to easily move between carriages and explore stops such as Tu Son Station on the journey.

4. Cultural experience on the train "Hanoi 5 gates"

If you are looking for a Hanoi heritage train experience, this journey will definitely leave many impressions. The train is not only a means of transportation but also a “mobile cultural stage”, taking visitors back in time to fully experience the soul of Hanoi.
You will get:

• Enjoy traditional arts: Cheo, Quan Ho or Ca Tru performances are performed live on the boat, creating a close and authentic atmosphere of Hanoi.
• Check-in in a unique space: The train cars are designed in the style of each window, with wide open panoramic windows and arched glass roofs, extremely ideal for capturing impressive photos.
• Enjoy Hanoi cuisine: The boat serves a mini bar and a menu of specialties such as pho, bun cha, lotus tea - flavors associated with the capital's culinary culture.
• Don't forget to bring your camera or phone to capture the beautiful moments when the train passes Long Bien Bridge - a historical symbol associated with Hanoi for over a hundred years.
• Plan your fun near the station: Hanoi Heritage Train connects many prominent attractions:

Plan fun near the station
To make the most of your trip, you should combine visiting the following notable places near the stations:
Hanoi Railway Station: Convenient to visit the Temple of Literature, Thang Long Imperial Citadel or the National History Museum. This is an ideal choice for the morning before boarding the train.
Long Bien Station: Located near Hanoi's Old Quarter, Dong Xuan Market and Hoan Kiem Lake. Visitors can enjoy beef noodle soup, rice rolls, and take a walk to see the legendary bridge.
Tu Son Station (Bac Ninh): Explore Do Temple - a place to worship 8 kings of the Ly Dynasty and traditional craft villages such as Phu Lang pottery, offering a unique cultural experience.

Plan your itinerary accordingly, especially if you choose a day trip to Tu Son. Having a map or navigation app handy will help you navigate and enjoy your trip to the fullest.
 
The Hanoi Heritage Train is a must-try for anyone who wants to explore the capital in a new way. With its nostalgic atmosphere, vibrant cultural performances and heritage-connected routes, the train offers a comprehensive travel experience. With the above experiences of taking the Hanoi Heritage Train, make a plan today, book your tickets early and prepare to immerse yourself in the unique cultural atmosphere of Hanoi.

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/kinh-nghiem-di-tau-di-san-ha-noi-kham-pha-thu-do-5-cua-o-v17854.aspx