A special experience when Vietnam's 1960 steam locomotive "returns to the rails"

Interior sketch of the Revolution Express train car. (Source: Wafaifo & Revolution Express/CNN)

“Train enthusiasts and history buffs will soon have a new destination in Southeast Asia to visit, as Vietnam prepares to debut a pair of refurbished vintage steam locomotives from the 1960s.”

That is the opening line of an article published in the Travel section of CNN news site, on the evening of May 26 (local time).

According to the American news agency, the hotel brand Wafaifo Optimizers - the project management unit - said that the two Revolution Express locomotives are the last steam locomotives still operating in Vietnam. These two locomotives "date" from the French colonial period.

In recent years, these trains have been gradually restored to working condition using original parts built by the last steam engineers working on the national railway system.

The trains are now almost ready to welcome visitors, with the first trips expected to depart in late 2024 or early 2025.

In a press release, Wafaifo Optimizers said it is not yet selling tickets and has no details on train fares, but booking information will be available in the coming months.

Wafaifo said the trains would connect the central city of Da Nang , famous for its coastal beach resorts, and the Imperial City of Hue, known for its “many exquisite royal palaces and tombs.”

Each train will have two classically styled passenger cars, a kitchen car and a luggage car. Renders show luxurious interiors reminiscent of the trains' French colonial past - with mahogany tables and chairs, gold accents and decorative tiling.

Large windows in all directions will give visitors a panoramic view of the landscape along the way as the train passes through Hai Van Pass - a pass famous for its undulating green mountain roads overlooking the vast ocean, and Lang Co village - famous for its fishing community and seafood.

According to CNN, “it's not just the decor that evokes the 'old days' of Vietnam.”

The press release said the ship will also feature staff dressed in “period costumes” and a brass band in military uniforms to welcome guests aboard.

Each station along the route will have a suitable themed restaurant, including one in Hue with a royal court theme based on royal history and a restaurant with its own theme in the Lang Co area.

“We hope to bring back the old days of the railway system, reliving important periods in Vietnam’s history from imperial times to colonial times, and finally the fight for independence,” said Michael Gebbie, President of Indochina Railway Tourist Services.

In conclusion, CNN emphasized that many tourist destinations in Vietnam, including the ancient capital of Hue, have been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites./.