Expectations of "reviving" the Thap Cham-Da Lat railway line

The Thap Cham-Da Lat railway was built from 1903 to 1928, and the entire route was put into operation in 1932. This was once a key transport project, connecting Da Lat with the national railway network. However, it stopped operating in the early 1970s. In 1991, the 7 km Da Lat-Trai Mat railway section was restored to serve tourism .

In 2021, the Thap Cham (Ninh Thuan) - Da Lat (Lam Dong) railway line was approved by the Prime Minister for the railway network planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, and has been integrated into the Central Highlands Regional Planning. In 2022, the Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction ) approved the preparation of the investment proposal dossier and pre-feasibility study report for the project "Restoring the Thap Cham - Da Lat railway line", opening up the opportunity to "revive" this unique railway line.

UNIQUE RAILWAY

According to archives, after receiving information about the survey of the Lang Biang plateau, Governor-General of Indochina Paul Doumer decided to prepare for the construction of the Thap Cham-Da Lat railway in 1898. This survey was attended by Dr. Alexandre Yersin. After that, the research continued to collect data for the construction design. In 1898, Dr. Yersin predicted the role of the railway: “On Lang Biang, Europeans will find a climate that reminds them of France, just a few hours by train from Saigon”.

The Thap Cham-Da Lat railway is about 84 km long, including 16 km of cog railway for the train to climb the slope. At that time, railways and locomotives with cog wheels were only available in Switzerland and Vietnam. The Thap Cham-Da Lat railway was built on a single track, narrow gauge of 1m and was carried out in 3 phases, including: construction of the section from Thap Cham to Xom Gon (1903-1916), the section from Xom Gon to Song Pha (1916-1917) and the section from Song Pha to Da Lat (1922-1932). In 1903, the railway began bidding for the construction of the first 38 km and it took 8 years to put it into operation.

According to Da Lat Gazetteer, the first section through the plains from Thap Cham to Song Pha was built smoothly, but the section from Song Pha to Da Lat encountered many difficulties due to having to cross very high mountain ranges, rugged terrain, dense forests and harsh climate. The railway was built winding along the mountain slopes, passing through many tunnels, bridges and steep cliff walls. The route was bold but also inspiring when passing through areas with beautiful and majestic scenery...

Da Lat Railway Station is a beautiful and unique architectural structure, once considered one of the most beautiful railway stations in Indochina; recognized as a National Architectural Monument in 2001. Construction began in 1932 and was completed in 1938, designed in the new Anglo-normand style, inspired by the symbol of Lang Biang Mountain and the roof of the Central Highlands communal house.

Currently, Da Lat station maintains a 7km Da Lat-Trai Mat tourist train route. “With its historical, architectural, cultural values and new, attractive services that have just been put into operation, in 2024 Da Lat station will be recognized by Lam Dong province as a “tourist destination” and will become an attractive destination for visitors on their journey to experience the city of thousands of flowers,” said Da Lat station manager Nguyen Vo Minh Chanh.

OPPORTUNITY TO "REVIVE" THE RAILWAY

For many reasons, the Thap Cham-Da Lat route had to stop operating since the early 1970s. Currently, Da Lat station, which belongs to the Vietnam Railway Corporation, is maintaining the Da Lat-Trai Mat tourist train. On this route, visitors can admire the romantic suburban scenery of the mountain town, and enjoy food and entertainment services on the train. Although only 7 km long, the route reminds us of the existence and hope of restoring a unique railway line that was in operation nearly 100 years ago.

According to information from Lam Dong Department of Construction, the Thap Cham-Da Lat railway line is planned according to Decision No. 1769 dated October 19, 2021 of the Prime Minister, approving the railway network planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050; with an expected length of 84 km, track gauge of 1,000 mm, investment roadmap after 2030 (investment planning projects after 2030, in case the locality or investor has investment needs, report to the Prime Minister for approval to implement earlier).

This railway line has also been integrated into the Central Highlands Regional Planning and Lam Dong Provincial Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, approved by the Prime Minister; at the same time, it is included in the list of priority investment projects for the 2021-2030 period.

Director of Lam Dong Department of Construction Nguyen Van Gia said that in Resolution 23 dated October 6, 2022 of the Politburo on the direction of socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in the Central Highlands region until 2030, with a vision to 2045, by 2030, efforts will be made to restore and renovate the Thap Cham-Da Lat railway line to serve tourists.

The project is implemented in the form of public-private partnership, with the Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction) as the competent authority. To date, Bach Dang Trading and Service Joint Stock Company has completed the project's pre-feasibility study report as required by the ministry and is awaiting approval to have a basis for implementing the next steps, ensuring the project's progress is completed before 2030.

In early March 2025, working with the People's Committee of Lam Dong province, Mr. Quan Hoa Binh, Deputy General Director and Chief Accountant of China Railway International Construction Company 2, who was assigned to be in charge of the Southeast Asian market, said that the company wishes to cooperate with Lam Dong in the fields of railways, expanding flight routes and tourism.

Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee Tran Hong Thai emphasized that this is a project of great significance to the socio-economic development of Lam Dong province. The province will create all favorable conditions based on legal regulations for the success of cooperation projects.

The Thap Cham-Da Lat railway has gone down in the history of the railway industry, as a cog railway connecting the coastal and highland regions; the only railway leading to the Central Highlands, built over nearly 30 years (1903-1932). Restoring the route and renovating the station's architectural works will open up opportunities for socio-economic, cultural and tourism development of Lam Dong and Ninh Thuan provinces in the future.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/ky-vong-hoi-sinh-tuyen-duong-sat-thap-cham-da-lat-247339.html