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This summer, rail travel is creating a real craze, becoming the preferred choice for many Vietnamese tourists. Travel companies are recording outstanding growth in the number of customers, the clearest evidence being the increase in the proportion of train tour products from 8% of the total summer tourism products last year to 15% this year.
This demonstrates the strong appeal of this "slow" form of tourism. Furthermore, customer interest is expected to increase by 50% by the end of summer, signaling a promising future for the railway industry.
Train travel is on the rise.
Key railway routes such as Hanoi - Dong Hoi and Hanoi - Da Nang are receiving special attention. High-quality trains like SE19, SE20, and SE1 are always the top choice, offering a comfortable and convenient experience for passengers. Even the special "Red Phoenix Flower" train on the Hanoi - Hai Phong route is almost always sold out on weekends if not booked in advance.
The "sold out" situation isn't limited to short routes. According to surveys, the Hanoi - Da Nang route in late June only had a mere 6 seats left on train SE19, and this ticket shortage is expected to continue into July. While the Hanoi - Dong Hoi route still had more tickets available in July, weekend seats in June were also almost completely sold out, except for train QB1.
Many travelers are choosing to enjoy their summer trip by train instead of plane.
Passenger feedback after train journeys has been overwhelmingly positive, with many even expressing their intention to continue using this mode of transportation in the future. This is thanks to significant innovations in the railway industry over the past three years. Besides the introduction of visually appealing trains like the "Red Phoenix Flower" train, onboard services have also been significantly upgraded, contributing to increased passenger satisfaction.
One of the key reasons why train travel is becoming more popular in the summer is its affordability. Statistics show that the number of group and corporate travelers choosing train travel in the summer has increased by more than 20% compared to last year. Compared to similar tours by plane, train tours can save travelers up to 30-40% on airfare during peak season, making it an extremely attractive option for large groups.
Many travelers choose trains because of the high cost of airfare, but many others are now turning to trains as an enjoyable travel option.
According to some estimates, weekend flights from Hanoi to Da Nang in June can cost up to 2.4 million VND for morning flights and 3.5 million VND for flights with better timings, depending on the airline. Meanwhile, sleeper train tickets are only around 1.5 million VND. Similarly, Hanoi to Dong Hoi flights during the same period range from 1.5-1.9 million VND, while a 6-berth sleeper train ticket costs only about 930,000 VND.
Even when compared to cheap overnight flights, for example, the Hanoi - Da Nang route on weekends costs around 1.6-1.7 million VND one way, which is only about 100,000 VND more than a SE19 train ticket, choosing the train still offers a double benefit - train passengers can save on a night's hotel stay and avoid long wait times at the airport.
The target passenger base for trains is expanding, especially with the introduction of more luxury trains.
Furthermore, the railway industry also implements many attractive discount policies, benefiting both individual and group travelers. For example, children under 6 years old do not need to buy tickets, while children aged 6-10 are charged the child fare, helping families who have enough time and want to experience slow travel to save significantly on costs.
Becoming the preferred choice for many new customer segments is also a crucial factor in the railway industry's impressive comeback.
Vietnam Railway Transport Corporation (Traravico) believes that train tourism is no longer a summer trend, but can continue year-round thanks to the growth of international tourists and organizations chartering trains. This opens up great opportunities for the Vietnamese railway industry.
This summer will be a stepping stone for the development of the railway industry.
However, it is undeniable that the convenience and speed of train travel currently cannot match air travel, especially on long routes such as Hanoi – Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang. Vietnam's railway infrastructure still faces many limitations, including long travel times, inconsistent service quality, and many trains not yet upgraded to meet the increasingly high expectations of passengers. Furthermore, local train stations are often located far from major tourist destinations, causing inconvenience for connecting travel.
To attract more tourists and enhance the experience, the railway industry needs strategic solutions: from developing flexible ticket pricing policies and offering attractive discounts to travel companies, to improving the modern booking system that allows for temporary reservations. Most importantly, it requires continued upgrading of train carriages, improving the quality of restrooms, diversifying menus with local specialties, and organizing relaxing entertainment activities or providing guided tours on board. These improvements will not only attract more tourists but also solidify the future position of railway tourism.
