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This year's National Day celebration on September 2nd in Hanoi is not only resplendent with flags, flowers, and commemorative activities, but also offers a truly unique travel experience: The Hanoi Train, a double-decker train. This novel tourism product, combining nostalgia and modernity, promises to create an attractive highlight, drawing tourists from both within and outside the country.
The Hanoi Train consists of 10 double-decker carriages, inspired by the successive layers of culture across different eras. Initially, 7 carriages will be in operation. Five of these special passenger carriages are named after five famous ancient gates of Hanoi: Quan Chuong Gate, Cau Den Gate, Dong Mac Gate, Cau Giay Gate, and Cho Dua Gate. The remaining two carriages will be communal spaces, catering to the diverse needs of tourists for photo opportunities and experiences. In the next phase, the remaining three carriages will be redesigned in the style of old-fashioned restaurants and cafes, adding unique services to the journey.
Hanoi will launch a double-decker "5 city gates" train, connecting cultural heritage sites with a unique night tourism experience.
Each train carriage is clad in a sophisticated, muted color scheme, evoking a sense of nostalgia. The interior is a refined blend of classic and modern styles, predominantly featuring wood, soft lighting, and decorative motifs characteristic of Hanoi. Notably, each carriage boasts large windows and a vaulted ceiling, allowing passengers to enjoy panoramic views along the route, from ancient streets to the bustling city life. Traditional cultural imagery is subtly interwoven into the exterior and interior, creating a harmonious whole that is both aesthetically pleasing and deeply rooted in the city's identity.
This is the first time a tourist train has been specially designed to showcase Hanoi's culture through a railway journey, combining nostalgic elements with modern amenities.
The train is expected to operate 3 trips per day, departing from Hanoi station, passing through Long Bien, Gia Lam, Yen Vien and Tu Son (Bac Ninh) stations, and then returning.
The Hanoi Train will operate three trips daily, departing from Hanoi Station, passing through Long Bien, Gia Lam, and Yen Vien stations, and stopping at Tu Son Station (Bac Ninh) before returning. Flexible departure times of 8:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 8:30 PM allow travelers to choose to explore Hanoi during both its vibrant daytime atmosphere and its dazzling nighttime beauty.
Beyond transportation, passengers can participate in various entertainment activities and artistic performances throughout the journey, enhancing interaction and creating memorable moments. In addition, integrated services such as package tours, train tickets, accommodation, sightseeing, and dining will be provided, meeting all the needs of travelers.
The interior blends classic and modern styles, using wood materials, soft lighting, and decorative motifs reminiscent of old Hanoi.
The launch of The Hanoi Train is expected to give a strong boost to the capital's tourism industry, especially during the National Day holiday on September 2nd. It's not just a means of transportation, but also a cultural experience, a way for tourists to reminisce about the past and feel the development of Hanoi.
The appearance of this double-decker train comes amidst positive signs for Hanoi's tourism industry. According to data from the first seven months of 2025, the city welcomed approximately 18.36 million visitors, an increase of 11.6% compared to the same period in 2024. Total tourism revenue is also estimated at 73 trillion VND. Recently, Booking.com also recorded Hanoi as the most searched destination by Vietnamese people for the upcoming National Day holiday. This demonstrates the enormous potential of the capital's tourism market and the positive reception of tourists towards new and unique products.
Besides The Hanoi Train, the railway industry is also researching the renovation of stations such as Long Bien, Gia Lam, and Co Loa into spaces for cultural exhibitions and events, and building a railway museum at the Gia Lam Locomotive Factory. These efforts not only contribute to diversifying tourism products but also preserve and promote the cultural and historical values of Vietnam's railway industry.
