Experience train travel from Hanoi to Bac Ninh: A journey connecting heritage

On the morning of August 31, 2025, in Hanoi, the Hanoi Department of Tourism coordinated to organize a survey program on the Hanoi-Bac Ninh double-decker train tourism product called "The Hanoi Train - Hanoi 5-Cua O Tourist Train."

On the morning of August 31, in Hanoi, the Hanoi Department of Tourism in coordination with BHL Tourism Service Trading Joint Stock Company organized a survey program on the Hanoi-Bac Ninh double-decker train tourism product called "The Hanoi Train - Hanoi 5-Cua O Tourist Train."

This is a new product of the Capital Tourism industry, practically celebrating the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and National Day September 2, while opening a new direction of exploitation in connecting heritage and developing experiential tourism.

A new journey on a familiar railway line

According to Mr. Tao Duc Hiep, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BHL Company, the organizer of the train tour "The Hanoi Train - Hanoi 5 Cua O Tourist Train", this train will officially be commercially operated from September 3, 2025.

There are 3 trips every day: The morning trip departs from Hanoi station at 8:00, arrives at Tu Son station (Bac Ninh) at 8:40, and ends the journey at 11:30; The afternoon trip departs at 1:30 p.m., returns to Hanoi station at 5:00 p.m.; The evening trip departs from Hanoi station, runs around the beltway through the stations: Hanoi-Long Bien-Dong Anh-Soc Son-Thang Long-Giap Bat, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the beauty of the capital at night.

Special performances on the train. (Photo: Tuyet Mai/VNA)

Ticket prices are expected to range from 550,000-750,000 VND/passenger, depending on the class of carriage. In particular, each carriage is designed in its own style, associated with each type of service.

“From one passenger, one ticket to booking the whole carriage, we are ready to serve. Each carriage will be a small cultural space, telling visitors the unique story of Hanoi and Kinh Bac,” Mr. Hiep emphasized.

In addition, to serve international guests, the operator is also completing a multilingual service system, including English, French, Chinese, etc., contributing to improving service quality and promoting the image of Vietnam.

Explore historical landmarks

The survey trip brought delegates, travel agencies, press agencies and tourists to experience the journey "through the 5 gates" - a unique mark that only Hanoi has. These used to be the gates of the ancient Thang Long citadel, closely associated with the memories, history and culture of the capital.

Among them, Quan Chuong Gate (Dong Ha Gate), the only intact city gate, a symbol of the indomitable Nguyen Dynasty soldiers fighting the French, has now become a historical relic on Thanh Ha Street (Hoan Kiem).

O Cau Den (Yen Ninh), the gateway connecting Thang Long with the South, the name originates from the small bridge across the amaranth field. The only traces left are at the intersection of Pho Hue-Dai Co Viet.

Visitors experience the craft of making Dong Ho folk paintings at Do Temple. (Photo: Tuyet Mai/VNA)

O Dong Mac (O Ong Mac), is both a road and a waterway leading into the capital, located at the end of Lo Duc-Tran Khat Chan street.

Cau Giay Gate (Thanh Bao Gate), where Yen Hoa villagers sold paper, gave rise to the familiar name “Cau Giay”. This gate was demolished at the end of the 18th century.

Cho Dua Gate, the southern gateway, is famous for its small market under the coconut trees, associated with the Xa Tac altar - where the Ly and Tran kings worshiped heaven, earth and the god of agriculture.

Recreating the historical story of each gate right on the train helps visitors have a vivid view, reminiscent of Thang Long, a thousand years of civilization.

More than just a means of transportation, “The Hanoi Train” aims to be a mobile cultural stage, where visitors can enjoy short art performances introducing the capital Hanoi and the Kinh Bac region; participate in exchanges with artists, and enjoy typical cuisine.

A tourist participating in the experience shared: “Sitting on the train, you can still feel the cultural atmosphere, both modern and traditional. This is a very interesting way to promote Vietnamese tourism to international friends.”

The highlight of the trip was a visit to the Do Temple relic site (Bac Ninh) - a place to worship eight kings of the Ly dynasty, a dynasty that left many marks in the nation's history.

Quan Ho Bac Ninh performance welcomes the survey team and visitors at Do Temple. (Photo: Tuyet Mai/VNA)

Here, delegates and visitors offer incense to commemorate their ancestors, listen to an introduction to ancient architecture, and experience the sacred and quiet space.

Do Temple, also known as Co Phap Dien, is ranked as a special national monument. With its harmonious and ancient architectural system, this place is both a religious destination and a testament to the cultural and historical depth of Kinh Bac.

Putting Do Temple on the train tourist route not only highlights the heritage value, but also creates more appeal for the new product.

In addition to visiting the relic, the survey team also experienced many community-related activities such as: enjoying Quan Ho folk songs, interacting with artisans, learning how to make Phu The cakes, and trying OCOP products.

These are experiences that help visitors clearly feel the flavor of Bac Ninh - the homeland of Quan Ho, a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

New steps in developing tourism products in the capital

According to the assessment of some travel agency representatives, the specialized train tourism product meets the needs of domestic tourists for sightseeing and cultural exploration, and is also suitable for international tourists who love unique experiences, as well as students on extracurricular trips.

The strength of The Hanoi Train is connecting heritage with real experiences. Tourists not only visit Bac Ninh, but also hear, see and feel right on the train. This is a creative direction, which can become a new highlight of Hanoi tourism.

Tourism businesses experience and survey services on "The Hanoi Train". (Photo: Tuyet Mai/VNA)

Bac Ninh, only about 40 km from the capital, is famous for its rich system of relics, traditional craft villages, unique festivals and especially the Quan Ho cultural space. When connected by train, the journey to Bac Ninh is not only convenient but also creates an interesting layer of experience.

In the context of strong tourism recovery, the launch of “The Hanoi Train – Hanoi 5 Cua O Tourist Train” is considered a strategic step.

This product not only contributes to renewing the exploitation of traditional railway lines, but also arouses cultural heritage resources, turning them into soft power to promote the image of Hanoi-Bac Ninh to domestic and foreign friends./.

The survey team took a souvenir photo before boarding the "The Hanoi Train - Hanoi 5 Cua O Tourist Train". (Photo: Tuyet Mai/VNA)

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/trai-nghiem-du-lich-tau-hoa-ha-noi-bac-ninh-hanh-trinh-ket-noi-di-san-post1059092.vnp