On the evening of Lunar New Year’s Eve, the vibrant "Spring Train" departed Hanoi Railway Station at 10:10 PM, marking a unique celebration for passengers traveling to Ho Chi Minh City.

This special train, part of a project by Vietnam Railways, offers a festive journey for those welcoming the New Year on board.

A festive journey across Vietnam

The SE1 train, named the "Spring Train," connects Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with a specially designed community carriage.

This unique carriage, adorned with colorful Tet symbols in shades of red and pink, is the highlight of the train.

The staff, dressed in traditional ao the and khan xep (formal attire from northern Vietnam), prepared special ceremonies before the train began its journey.

The SE1 train departed Hanoi with 108 passengers and is scheduled to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City at 6:00 AM on the second day of the Lunar New Year.

At the stroke of midnight, during the sacred moment of transition into the Year of the Snake, the train was set to pass Nam Dinh Station.

A rolling celebration of art and tradition

Beyond the special carriage, the remaining compartments of the SE1 train continued to operate as usual, carrying passengers on their regular journeys.

The community carriage, however, stood out as a moving piece of art.

Inside, passengers were treated to traditional games like chess and co ca ngua (a Vietnamese dice game) to keep them entertained during the long trip.

Prominent artists, including Phan Minh Bach and his 12 colleagues, contributed their talents to transform the carriage into a masterpiece.

Their artwork depicted the iconic image of Vietnam Railways, stretching across the length of the country.

One standout piece by artist Dao Tuan featured a snake, the zodiac animal of the Year of the Snake, symbolizing 2025.

Dao Tuan shared his excitement, saying, "This is my first time painting on a train, and my piece will be completed exactly as we welcome the New Year."

Passengers like Ai Minh, seeing the decorated carriage for the first time, expressed their admiration for its beauty and meaningful design.

A pair of festive trains ring in the New Year

This wasn’t the only train spreading Tet joy.

Earlier, at 7:30 PM, the SE2 train departed from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, also featuring a similarly decorated community carriage.

This northbound train is expected to arrive in the capital on the morning of the second day of Tet, creating a parallel celebration of art and tradition.

These two trains, adorned with festive charm, symbolize a cultural journey that brings people closer, even as they travel far from home during the New Year.

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The special SE1 train, named "Spring Train," connects Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with a single carriage decorated with a "new look." It departs at 10:10 PM on Lunar New Year’s Eve (29th day of the lunar calendar) and travels through provinces along the length of the country.
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Inside the carriage, it is beautifully decorated with iconic symbols of Tet in pink and red tones. The staff, dressed in traditional áo the and khăn xếp attire, prepare the necessary rituals before the train departs.
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The SE1 train departed from Hanoi Station with 108 passengers and is expected to arrive at Saigon Station, Ho Chi Minh City, at 6:00 AM on the second day of Tet. At the stroke of midnight on Lunar New Year's Eve, the train will pass through Nam Dinh Station.
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Aside from the special community carriage, the remaining carriages of the SE1 train continue to welcome and transport passengers as usual every night.
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Ai Minh took a photo with the special carriage of the SE1 train. Minh shared that this was the first time seeing a train carriage decorated so beautifully and meaningfully.
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Artist Phan Minh Bach, along with 12 other colleagues, participated in creating the artwork on the community carriage of the SE1 train.
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Artist Dao Tuan created a painting of a train featuring the image of a snake, the symbol of the Year of the Snake.
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Inside the community carriage, the organizers also provided chess and Ludo boards to entertain passengers throughout the journey.
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The passengers on the SE1 train, which departed Hanoi Station at 10:10 PM, included a significant number of international tourists.
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Earlier, at 7:30 PM, the SE2 train from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, featuring a similarly decorated community carriage, also departed and is scheduled to arrive in the capital on the morning of the second day of Tet.

Pham Hai