Heritage trains connect cultures

“Having experienced the Metro Line 6 project, we understand more about the beautiful country of Vietnam and the lovely Vietnamese people” - is the sympathetic and impressive sharing of Ms. Caroline Beresford - Ambassador of New Zealand to Vietnam, after the visit on the afternoon of April 3, 2025 - a unique cultural journey in the heart of Hanoi, where traditional values ​​are told on the train cars, through each dish and drink that seems to have slept in memory.

In the picturesque setting of Truc Bach Lake, the journey began at Thuy Trung Tien Tu – a sacred temple located on a small island, known as "a blessed land where birds perch," the only island in the heart of Hanoi home to hundreds of egrets and herons. Here, the New Zealand Embassy delegation was introduced to the history of Truc Bach – a place preserving many cultural and historical values ​​of the ancient Thang Long capital – and enjoyed the Chau Van performance art, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. The melodious sounds and powerful lyrics opened up a profound cultural space, touching the emotions of each international guest.

Chau Van art performance - an intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO.

Shortly afterwards, the No. 6 tram officially "set off," taking delegates to a miniature Hanoi, where cultural and culinary heritage is vividly recreated on tram cars with endearing names such as: Pho - Bun - Soy Sauce Car, Kitchen - Cabinet - Tray Car, Rice - Paddy Car. Each car is like a miniature museum, preserving simple yet fascinating stories of Hanoians through the ages.

At the Pho - Bun - Soy Sauce section, Hanoi Pho emerges not just as a dish, but as the soul of Vietnamese cuisine. Special guests hear about the formation and development of this dish, discover the differences in pho across regions, and learn how to enjoy this dish, which is considered the "national treasure" of Vietnam.

The Ambassador, the Deputy Ambassador of New Zealand, and Mr. Nguyen Dan Huy - Secretary of the Party Committee of Truc Bach Ward, founder of the Metro Line 6 project - next to the "Giant Bowl of Pho".

In the "Kitchen - Cabinet - Tray" carriage, the atmosphere of Hanoi during the subsidy period is vividly recreated through various items such as wooden cabinets, meatless meal trays, ration stamps, etc. This lively recreation helps visitors visualize a period full of difficulties but also full of human warmth, and clearly shows the virtues of the Vietnamese people: diligence, resilience, hard work, and always striving to improve.

An interesting story about a bowl of pho mixed with leftover rice during the subsidy period.

A special highlight of the journey was the Rice – Paddy – Grain carriage, where Vietnamese culinary culture was spread through an engaging interactive experience: a spring roll-making "competition" between the Ambassador, Deputy Ambassador, and members of the New Zealand Embassy. Under the guidance of culinary expert and journalist Vinh Quyen, Ambassador Caroline Beresford, Deputy Ambassador Rebecca Wood, and other members enthusiastically showcased their spring roll-making skills and enjoyed the results in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

The Rice Mill Tour Group

Ambassador Caroline Beresford and her colleagues at the New Zealand Embassy had a very enjoyable experience participating in a spring roll making competition with the Party Secretary of Truc Bach Ward, Nguyen Dan Huy, and culinary expert Vinh Quyen.

The cultural journey on Metro Line 6 offers not only culinary experiences but also a profound dialogue between the past and the present, between Vietnam and the world. Through vivid storytelling and skillful integration of experiential elements, the project touches the emotions of participants – not just through sight, smell, or taste, but through genuine feelings of appreciation for the beauty of Vietnamese culture.

The New Zealand Ambassador and Deputy Ambassador enjoyed experiencing Hanoi's sidewalk iced tea culture.

Speaking at the final stop, Ms. Rebecca Wood, Deputy Ambassador of New Zealand, expressed: “Vietnam is truly developing very rapidly. We can feel the significant changes not only in the modern cities but also in the way you preserve and spread your traditional culture.”

The No. 6 tram line has told a very different story of Hanoi – not noisy, not rushed, but profound, simple, and sincere, giving special guests a journey full of emotions and enjoyable, complete experiences.

Vietnam.vn