In the first months of 2023, the Hanoi-Hai Phong railway line witnessed a remarkable growth in the number of passengers, equal to 150% compared to the same period in 2022. Compared to the time before the Covid-19 epidemic (2019), the number of passengers also increased by 40%. According to Vietnam Railways Corporation , passengers choose to travel by train on the Hanoi-Hai Phong route because the railway industry and Hai Phong City are promoting tourism experience products. Passengers can use QR codes on the train, at the station, on the website of the Hai Phong City Department of Tourism to look up maps of tourist attractions, food services, etc. Along with that, expanded services to facilitate customers are also deployed such as public bicycle rental, motorbike rental, electric car rental at the station. The railway industry's ticket price policy is also a plus point to attract passengers. Including a monthly ticket program, applied like a bus ticket, passengers are not limited to the number of train rides per day or per month, and can use all types of seats on the train, including high-quality cars.

A representative of Hanoi Railway Transport Joint Stock Company said that on the railway routes managed and operated by the Company, the demand for transportation this summer has increased compared to 2022. The highest concentration is on the routes Hanoi-Dong Hoi ( Quang Binh ), Hanoi-Hue (Thua Thien Hue), Hanoi-Da Nang. Currently, passengers are no longer afraid to travel by public transport. The Company has initially overcome the most difficult period due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic. However, the demand for travel is only showing signs of gradual recovery because people's income and employment in some areas are still facing many difficulties.

Passengers take the train from Long Bien station (Hanoi). Photo: HONG NAM

Some passengers still have an unfavorable view of the train service such as unclean toilets, unattractive meals... To further attract train passengers, improving service quality is a top requirement for the railway industry. According to Hanoi Railway Transport Joint Stock Company, although the travel time by rail is longer than by air, however, for medium-distance tourist routes, the train itinerary has been reasonably arranged so that passengers can take advantage of their overnight stay on the train. In addition, the menu for meals on the train is also built with diverse dishes and reasonable prices so that passengers have many choices. For passengers who are not limited by time, traveling by train brings interesting experiences when interacting with other passengers, sightseeing, especially when the train passes through famous tourist destinations. For some groups, the railway industry arranges additional community cars for passengers to have fun and participate in group activities on the train.

For the toilets on the train, the operating unit has now arranged specialized workers for this work. At the departure station and along the route, periodically when the cleaning work is completed, the flight attendants on the train must report to the relevant departments with pictures.

Along with passenger trains, freight transport has been a bright spot in the railway industry in recent times. In particular, container transport via railway on the North-South route has grown strongly. The volume of container transport in 2022 of Hanoi Railway Transport Joint Stock Company reached more than 816,000 tons, equal to 297.8% compared to 2019. In the coming period, the railway industry will promote freight transport with cargo flows with high transportation demand and competitive advantages such as: Container transport; international intermodal cargo...

MANH HUNG