A train route named “Central Heritage Connection” linking Huế ancient capital in the central province of Thừa Thiên - Huế and nearby Đà Nẵng City has been put into operation. Photo kenh14.vn

HÀ NỘI Travelling by train is currently a new trend, as rising prices of domestic air tickets are leading to an increase of 10-15 per cent in tour prices. The railway industry, therefore, is striving to innovate and coordinate with tourism businesses to improve quality and associate tourism with “awakening” heritage.

Nguyễn Công Hoan, General Director of Flamingo Redtours, said that organising sightseeing tours by train to central localities such as Quảng Bình, Thừa Thiên-Huế, Đà Nẵng, and Quảng Nam helps reduce prices and, at the same time, increase experiences. In fact, railway services are improved and able to meet the increasing needs of tourists.

At the recent Hanoi Tourism Festival, Flamingo Redtours launched tours across Việt Nam by train, with five-day itineraries such as Quảng Bình - Phong Nha Cave - Bang Onsen Hot Mineral and Huế - Đà Nẵng - Hội An ancient city with prices of around VNĐ5 million (US$197).

In late March, a train route named “Central Heritage Connection” linking Huế ancient capital in the central province of Thừa Thiên - Huế and nearby Đà Nẵng City was put into operation. It is a new product that combines transportation and tourism services, promising new and interesting experiences of history, culture, and heritage for passengers.

During the about three hours of this train journey, tourists can admire the magnificent natural beauty along Hải Vân Pass, dubbed Thiên Hạ Đệ Nhất Hùng Quan (the world’s most magnificent gate) and also among the 10 most beautiful drives in the world as selected by renowned US magazine Travel Leisure, with one side being Trường Sơn Mountain Range and the other the sea before reaching Đà Nẵng, which boasts one of the six most beautiful beaches on the planet. On the way back, from Đà Nẵng to Huế, they can set foot in the former capital of Huế, home to various heritage sites.

In particular, riding either trips departing Huế for Đà Nẵng and vice versa in the morning or the afternoon, tourists can enjoy the splendid sunrise or sunset on Lăng Cô, one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world, and taste signature local delicacies.

The train used for this route consists of five modern passenger carriages and another for community activities. It is expected to become an impressive “mobile” check-in place for travellers.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, railway travel has seen positive developments. In 2023, the number of domestic holiday-makers traveling by train reached 10 million, a year-on-year increase of 15 per cent; and 1.5 million foreign tourists, up 20 per cent. The growth of the railway industry has shown the recovery and an outstanding development of Việt Nam's railway tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic and, at the same time, reflected the trend of increasing demand for using this means of transportation.

Việt Nam's North-South railway, also known as the Reunification Express, stretches about 1,730 kilometres between the country’s two biggest cities of Hà Nội and Hồ Chí Minh City over the course of two days.

Last year, the British travel guide Lonely Planet named it one of the most incredible rail trips in the world.

“Some railways rattle through historic cities; others swoosh beside spectacular coastlines. A few have an epic history, and one or two are remarkable for the colourful characters onboard. The Reunification Express line fulfills all these criteria,” said Lonely Planet.

The site also stressed that travellers cannot find a more atmospheric way to travel between Việt Nam's metropolises. VNS