“The Hanoi Train”: Unique tourism product of the Capital

Tourists experience The Hanoi Train .

Telling heritage stories on the tracks

Not simply a means of transportation, this train is designed as a “mobile stage” recreating the thousand-year-old cultural memories of Hanoi , extending to the passionate Quan Ho region of Bac Ninh. “We want to bring tourists not only a trip from Hanoi to Bac Ninh, but also a thousand-year-old cultural journey on the rails,” said Mr. Tao Duc Hiep, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BHL Company.

According to Mr. Hiep, the train will officially operate commercially from September 6, 2025, with 3 trips per day, a total of 240 seats, ticket prices from 550,000 - 750,000 VND/passenger depending on seat and choice of snacks. "From one passenger, one ticket to booking the entire carriage, we are ready to serve. Each carriage is a small cultural space, telling its own story of Hanoi and Kinh Bac," Mr. Hiep emphasized, adding that a multilingual commentary system will soon be put into service for international guests.

Tu Son Station is an important stop, opening the door to the Kinh Bac heritage space with Do Temple, ancient pagodas, craft villages and smooth Quan Ho melodies. “Each train not only carries passengers, but also carries Vietnamese culture further”, the project message affirms. This also demonstrates the spirit of developing the national cultural industry: turning heritage into creative economic products, combining tradition with contemporary experiences.

A journey of profound cultural experience

The unique point of The Hanoi Train lies in the architecture that evokes memories with the silhouette of Long Bien Bridge on the ceiling of the carriage, the colors of the winding Red River, tiled tiles, shuttered doors, Dong Ho folk paintings... Each carriage opens up a different slice of Hanoi such as O Cau Den carriage recreating the subsidized atmosphere; O Quan Chuong and O Cau Giay carriages evoking the breath of the Red River and memories of the old quarter; O Cho Dua carriage has a neoclassical elegance; O Dong Mac carriage brings visitors back to the old collective space. In particular, the "check-in" carriage opens up a wide sky, inspired by Long Bien Bridge, where visitors can comfortably sightsee and capture moments.

Not only pleasing to the eye, passengers can also enjoy seasonal Hanoi cuisine, from green sticky rice, vermicelli, pho, rice rolls, fish cakes to rustic hometown gifts. Throughout the journey, a music mini-show with folk instruments and lyrics combined with modern symphonies evokes unexpected emotions.

Mr. Truong Quoc Hung, Chairman of the Hanoi Unesco Travel Club, commented: “The experiences on the train with a space imbued with Hanoi culture are interesting highlights. Rail tourism is not only transportation, but also a unique cultural experience. I highly appreciate the creativity of this product.”

From another perspective, Director of VietSense Travel Nguyen Van Tai believes that the appearance of The Hanoi Train product will create more reasons for tourists to stay longer in the capital: “Previously, many international visitors often only spent two to three days in Hanoi, then quickly moved to Ha Long, Ninh Binh or Sa Pa. But now, with the journey connecting Hanoi - Bac Ninh by rail, they will have an extra day to experience. This is the way to extend their stay, increase spending, and at the same time affirm that Hanoi is not just a stopover, but a destination rich in identity, attractive and worth staying longer”.

The Hanoi Train also marked many “firsts”: the first double-decker tourist train in Vietnam, the first time a carriage was completely open for sightseeing and check-in. It can be said that The Hanoi Train is a new way of telling stories to awaken cultural memories, turning the trip into a dialogue between the past and the present. We believe that the memories of Hanoi and the Kinh Bac Quan Ho melodies will resonate in the hearts of visitors, bringing Vietnamese heritage further and proudly.

Source: Investment Newspaper

Source: http://sodulich.hanoi.gov.vn/the-hanoi-train-san-pham-du-lich-doc-dao-cua-thu-do.html