Pilot operation of Hanoi tourist trains.

On December 28th, a survey train connecting Hanoi and Thai Nguyen, aimed at exploiting and developing tourism, was carried out in coordination with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Department of Transport of Thai Nguyen province, and the Vietnam Railways Corporation .

Over 120 delegates, including leaders from departments, agencies, and localities of Thai Nguyen province, as well as transportation, travel, and service businesses from Thai Nguyen and Hanoi, participated in the experience and contributed ideas for the development of tourism in Thai Nguyen and railway tourism.

Mr. Nguyen Van Ngoc, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thai Nguyen province, said that after two months of developing the idea for a railway line connecting Hanoi and Thai Nguyen, the survey train connected through several stations with four stops: Pho Yen, Luu Xa, Thai Nguyen, and Quan Trieu. The train was implemented quickly and successfully thanks to the guidance of the Thai Nguyen provincial authorities and relevant units; especially the coordination and support of the Vietnam Railway Corporation. Thai Nguyen province has many advantages in transportation, with full connectivity to provinces and cities in the northern region of Vietnam, especially to Hanoi. The province has been effectively utilizing its road, air, and river routes, and the traditional railway line will be given attention for future development.

Historically, the Hanoi-Thai Nguyen railway line has played a crucial role in serving the economic, social, and national security and defense development. Currently, this railway line retains its value. In the context of Thai Nguyen province's efforts to promote and attract investment, the provincial leadership prioritizes allocating significant resources to developing sustainable tourism as a key economic sector. Mr. Nguyen Van Ngoc hopes that the implementation of the Hanoi-Thai Nguyen railway line in the near future will contribute to better serving the social welfare needs of the people, strengthening connectivity for Thai Nguyen's economic and social development, and especially creating new service products to contribute to the development of Thai Nguyen tourism.

When the Thai Nguyen Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism proposed coordinating the development of the Hanoi-Thai Nguyen railway line, it received the support of the provincial leadership, the Vietnam Railway Corporation, as well as businesses and travel agencies. This railway line offers many conveniences for travel over a distance of approximately 80km, with a travel time of about 2 hours. Furthermore, this railway line connects many tourist destinations and tourism activities in particular, and contributes to the economic and social development of Thai Nguyen province in general…

Mr. Nguyen Chinh Nam, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Railways Corporation, shared: Vietnam Railways highly welcomes the idea and determination of Thai Nguyen province in reopening and developing the Hanoi – Thai Nguyen railway line. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hanoi – Thai Nguyen railway line mainly served the public, facilitating convenient travel for people in disadvantaged areas. At that time, the train was considered a social welfare train. Operating a tourist train line between Hanoi and Thai Nguyen is a new idea, promising to contribute significantly to the development of tourism in Thai Nguyen as well as further improving Vietnam Railways' services.

During the survey program on the Hanoi – Thai Nguyen train route, the survey team experienced various services on the train such as: enjoying Thai Nguyen tea, Hanoi specialty cakes, listening to Then folk songs and Tinh lute playing, experiencing OCOP products and local agricultural products at the arrival stations… Afterwards, the team visited Tan Cuong, a community tourism destination specializing in tea, and held a discussion to contribute ideas for perfecting the concept of exploiting the train route in conjunction with promoting tea culture and developing tourism in Thai Nguyen…/.

Source: https://vr.com.vn/tin-tuc–su-kien/van-hanh-thi-diem-tau-du-lich-ha-noi–thai-nguyen.html