Vietnam’s National Day break offers four distinctive rail adventures, led by a new Hue-Phong Nha heritage train offering 50% discounts during its launch week.
Travelers planning a trip during Vietnam’s September 2 National Day holiday can consider four distinctive railway journeys, including the country’s newest tourism train, the “Wonder Journey – World Heritage” route connecting the former imperial capital of Hue with Phong Nha.
Hue-Phong Nha: A new journey between heritage destinations
Beginning August 29, just ahead of the National Day holiday, Vietnam’s railway sector will launch the HQ1/HQ2 train pair, branded “Wonder Journey – World Heritage,” connecting Hue with Phong Nha in Quang Tri Province.
The eight-carriage train can accommodate more than 300 passengers and features a contemporary design inspired by the culture, tourism and prominent heritage attractions of Hue and Quang Tri.
Five carriages are equipped with rotating seats, allowing passengers to turn comfortably toward the scenery along the route. The train also includes a 24-seat VIP carriage, a community carriage and another dedicated to entertainment and services.
HQ2 departs Hue Station at 7:15am and arrives at Tho Loc Station at 11:55am. In the opposite direction, HQ1 leaves Tho Loc at 1:15pm and reaches Hue at 5:25pm.
The journey covers approximately 190 kilometers.
Along the way, the train stops at Hue, Dong Ha, My Trach, Dong Hoi and Tho Loc stations, connecting travelers with attractions including Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, Vinh Moc Tunnels and the Phong Nha-Ke Bang cave complex.
During the launch week from August 29 to September 5, fares will be discounted by 50%, bringing the price of a one-way Hue-Tho Loc ticket down to around VND210,000-380,000 ($8-14).
From September 6 through the end of the year, fares will remain 15% lower, while passengers purchasing round-trip tickets will receive an additional 10% discount on the return leg.
The railway sector expects the five-star train to become a new tourism product connecting central Vietnam’s major heritage centers and destinations by rail while offering visitors a different travel experience.
Inside a carriage on the new Hue-Phong Nha “Wonder Journey – World Heritage” train. Photo: VNRFive carriages feature rotating seats designed to make it easier for passengers to enjoy views along the Hue-Phong Nha journey. Photo: VNR
Hue-Da Nang: Crossing one of Vietnam’s most scenic railways
The tourism train connecting Hue and Da Nang is known as the “Central Heritage Connection.”
Its air-conditioned soft seats are positioned beside windows so travelers can enjoy the scenery along the Hue-Da Nang railway, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful rail journeys in Vietnam.
The experience goes beyond the views. A group of artists performs traditional Hue chamber music aboard the train, including Nam Binh, Phu Luc and Co Ban pieces.
A dedicated food carriage serves a range of Hue specialties, including banh it, Vietnamese pork sausage and Hue-style fermented pork rolls, alongside beverages.
One of the journey’s highlights comes at Lang Co Station, perched along the Hai Van Pass, where the train stops for 10 minutes so passengers can step off and take photographs.
From Hue, HD1 departs Hue Station at 7:05am and arrives at Da Nang Station at 10:10am. HD3 leaves Hue at 2:30pm and reaches Da Nang at 6:15pm.
In the opposite direction, HD2 departs Da Nang Station at 7:05am and reaches Hue at 11:05am, while HD4 leaves Da Nang at 3:20pm and arrives in Hue at 6:15pm.
Hanoi-Hai Phong: Ride the train, then follow the food
Two premium carriages on the Hanoi-Hai Phong train feature natural wood floors, sofas, a bar, free Wi-Fi and live music.
The premium “Red Flamboyant” train between Hanoi and Hai Phong includes a 34-seat VIP carriage with five-star, Indochine-inspired interiors.
Its 56-seat carriages feature a new generation of seats capable of rotating 180 degrees.
The carriages also offer spacious wash areas and modern, well-ventilated restrooms. Standard 64-seat carriages are available with flexible fares to accommodate different travel needs.
The train journey between Hanoi and Hai Phong takes around three hours in either direction.
Two particularly luxurious carriages feature natural wood flooring, individual armchairs, long sofas, a bar, free Wi-Fi and live musical performances.
Once in Hai Phong, visitors can embark on a food tour around the city center before returning to Hanoi the same day or staying overnight.
For a day trip, travelers can stop for photographs at Hai Phong Station, the city’s Opera House and museum.
Visitors can also rent motorbikes to explore the port city’s celebrated food scene, sampling specialties such as crab noodle soup, snails, seafood, spicy fish noodle soup, banh duc tau and Hai Phong’s signature spicy baguettes.
Hanoi-Bac Ninh: A moving stage for northern Vietnamese culture
Passengers experience Vietnamese traditional culture through live performances aboard the Hanoi-Bac Ninh train.
The “Hanoi Five Gates – The Hanoi Train,” operating the “Thang Long – Kinh Bac” journey, has attracted considerable interest from travelers.
Its carriages combine classical and contemporary design, with warm wooden interiors, soft lighting and nostalgic details intended to evoke the atmosphere of old Hanoi.
Large windows maximize the view as the train moves through the capital, passing weathered tiled roofs beside the tracks, busy neighborhoods and the Red River.
Passengers do more than simply watch the scenery. The train itself becomes a cultural space, with live performances of quan ho folk singing, ca tru, cheo traditional theater and xam singing transforming the journey into a moving showcase of northern Vietnamese performing arts.
A highlight of the trip is a visit to the Do Temple complex in Bac Ninh, a Special National Monument dedicated to eight kings of the Ly Dynasty, which left a profound mark on Vietnamese history.
There, visitors can take part in activities such as making Dong Ho folk paintings, wrapping banh phu the, a traditional husband-and-wife cake, and listening to quan ho folk singing.
Interest in railway tourism is expected to rise during the September 2 National Day holiday, so travelers are advised to check schedules and book tickets early.
Vietnamnet.vn
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