Special revelation about the Thong Nhat train running on April 30

Design image of the special Reunification train on the occasion of April 30. Photo: VNR.

The railway industry has just announced a plan to increase train operations on many main routes and sections to serve passengers during the April 30 holiday, launching the Thong Nhat train with a unique design carrying many special meanings.

Gratitude Train

Sharing about the special features of the Thong Nhat train, Mr. Hoang Gia Khanh - General Director of Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) - expressed that the train has the meaning of reminding passengers of the heroic past and glorious history of April 30, 1975 - the day the country was reunified, the North and South reunited as one family.

The journey of the Thong Nhat train aims to pay tribute to the generations of fathers and brothers who shed blood and sweat to regain independence for the country. Among the 800 passengers on this train are veterans and families who have contributed to the revolution.

"The train is responsible for transporting passengers from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, with the most optimal ticket policy for those who have contributed to the country such as war invalids, sick soldiers, veterans, and relatives of people who have contributed to the revolution. In particular, the ticket sales software displays the red flag with a yellow star, to create a joyful color and heroic spirit of the nation, welcoming the great celebration of April 30. On the evening of April 29, a train will depart from Hanoi station at 8:55 p.m., and a train will depart from Saigon station at 7 p.m. At exactly 12:40 p.m. on April 30, the two trains will meet at Da Nang station," said Mr. Khanh.

Mr. Hoang Gia Khanh - General Director of Vietnam Railway Corporation. Photo: Ngoc Nam.

Explaining why the two trains met in Da Nang City and not in Ho Chi Minh City, the General Director of VNR said that the meeting point has a special significance. Because Da Nang City represents the Central region, located near the 17th parallel (Quang Tri) - the place that divided the North and South in the past. Currently, Da Nang City is a centrally-governed city; a major political, economic and social center of the Central region and an important nucleus of the Central Key Economic Zone, of the whole country. Therefore, the meeting of the two Thong Nhat trains in Da Nang has the meaning of connecting the North and South regions and demonstrating the country's will to develop.

Image of the first Thong Nhat train departing from Hanoi station on December 31, 1976. Photo: VNA document.

"The moment of the reunion of two trains from the North and South in the Central region carries a message of national unity and solidarity, gratitude for the past and looking towards the future, especially when the country enters a new era, an era of national growth," Mr. Khanh shared.

Reenacting the heroic history of the nation

The special Reunification Train is specially designed with the theme of the liberation of the South to bring passengers an emotional and spiritual experience. In particular, all stations will be decorated with banners, posters and flags to recreate the atmosphere of the victory day.

"On this day, all railway staff on the train and at the station serving the Reunification train will wear red shirts and yellow stars. Throughout the journey, the train will play revolutionary, victory and national pride songs to serve passengers. VNR will organize a farewell ceremony at Hanoi and Saigon stations on the evening of April 29, and organize a reception for the two trains at Da Nang station at noon on April 30. During the welcoming activities, passengers will participate in the welcome whistle ceremony," said Mr. Khanh.

The Thong Nhat train cars participating in the special journey are specially designed with the theme of liberating the South. Photo: VNR.

During the journey from North to South, from South to North, passengers of the two Reunification trains will be able to return to the past through historical images of the railway industry, images of the 1975 Reunification train in the exhibition area on the train.

According to the plan, VNR will coordinate with partners to prepare many surprise gifts placed at the seats of all passengers on the two trains; gift bags of passengers who are people with revolutionary contributions and families with meritorious services will also have personal letters.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/tiet-lo-dac-biet-ve-doan-tau-thong-nhat-chay-dung-dip-30-4-3354382.html