Strengthening inter-regional transport potential

The Hanoi–Dong Dang railway, which runs through Bac Ninh, is considered the “backbone” of inter-regional freight transport, linking Hanoi with northern industrial provinces.

Passengers enjoy local specialties and traditional Quan ho melodies on Hanoi train.

It plays a key role in carrying domestic cargo and cross-border goods and passengers, serving as a trade gateway through Lang Son province to China. Goods from major industrial parks such as Yen Phong, Tien Son, and Que Vo in Bac Ninh are consolidated at Yen Vien (Hanoi) and Kep stations before being transported to Lang Son and China.

As the economy recovers, railway activity has surged. In the first ten months of 2025, the Hanoi–Dong Dang line operates 12 domestic and international trains daily, up by four trips from a year earlier.

Eight of these trains carry goods and passengers to China, mainly agricultural produce, electronic components, and industrial materials, averaging 1,800 tonnes per train.

Key stations like Yen Vien, Tu Son, and Kep have become major logistics hubs supporting import-export firms and enabling Vietnamese goods, including those from Bac Ninh, to access the Chinese market more efficiently.

Bac Ninh holds a strategic position within the national network. The Vietnam Railways Corporation is coordinating with local authorities to expand rail-based logistics services, allowing enterprises in industrial zones to load cargo directly onto trains at nearby stations, reducing transport costs and delivery times — a step toward bringing “border gates deep into the hinterland.”

Introducing cultural tourism by rail

To maximize railway potential, the industry launched the “Hanoi Five City Gates” cultural tourism train in September 2025. The route, named “Thang Long – Kinh Bac,” connects Hanoi Station with Tu Son Station in Bac Ninh, offering a one-hour cultural journey linking the ancient capital with the land of Quan ho folk songs.

A freight train passes through Kep station.

The two-story train features a nostalgic wooden interior, with five carriages named after Hanoi’s historic gates: O Cho Dua, O Dong Mac, O Quan Chuong, O Cau Den, and O Cau Giay.

Passengers can enjoy local specialties such as green rice cakes and lotus tea, while listening to traditional Quan ho melodies amid scenic views of villages and countryside. After arriving at Tu Son, visitors continue to the Do Temple, a national special relic dedicated to eight kings of the Ly Dynasty.

Since its launch, the service has operated 77 trips, carrying about 17,000 passengers — both domestic and international — marking a new highlight in cultural tourism linked with heritage preservation.

The Party’s 13th Congress Resolution and Politburo’s Conclusion No.49-KL/TW (February 28, 2023) identified railways as a priority sector for investment due to their efficiency, low cost, and environmental benefits. Following this direction, Vietnam Railways has implemented multiple safety and modernization measures on the Hanoi–Dong Dang route.

For passenger transport, the focus is on improving frequency, punctuality and comfort. For freight, the goal is to develop a wider logistics network to meet the surging export-import demand.

A key factor in improving operational efficiency is the signaling and information system. Previously managed manually, train operations have now been upgraded with automated signaling at major stations such as Yen Vien, Tu Son, Kep, and Dong Dang, enhancing safety and reducing train intervals.

The railway sector is also digitizing its control network to connect operation centers with stations, enabling early fault detection and real-time monitoring. These upgrades have increased transport productivity by 15–20% and strengthened safety for both passengers and cargo, paving the way for smart railway logistics.

From 2026 to 2030, Vietnam Railways plans to establish a closed cargo transfer system directly connecting major industrial zones like Yen Phong, Que Vo, Tien Son, Dinh Tram, and Quang Chau to nearby stations, helping reduce road congestion and logistics costs.

By 2030, under the Ministry of Construction’s plan, the Hanoi–Dong Dang railway will be gradually modernized into a regional logistics corridor, with Bac Ninh as a “strategic transit point” between Hanoi and the northern border region.

The province is developing warehouse and logistics zones in Tien Son and Yen Phong, adjacent to the national rail line, to strengthen multimodal connections between rail, road and seaport transport.

Railway industry, ecosystem must be developed in modern, sustainable way: PM

The PM stressed the importance of promoting technology transfer and gradually mastering technology in the railway industry, helping develop the sector and its whole ecosystem, including both conventional and metro rail systems.

 

Railway tourism brings new momentum to Vietnam’s travel industry

The “Hanoi 5 Cua O” (Hanoi’s Five Gates) train, also known as The Hanoi Train, is drawing interest from visitors to the capital city, marking the first time a tourist train has been specially designed to showcase Hanoi’s culture through a railway journey.

 

Vietnam eyes 140,000-strong workforce to power high-speed rail network

Between 2025 and 2030, some 35,000 people are expected to undergo training, focusing on high-speed rail, electrified lines and urban metro systems. The plan includes 1,000 postgraduate students, 14,000 university graduates, 11,000 college-level trainees and 9,000 intermediate-level workers.

 

Vietnam, China push forward railway cooperation projects

The first meeting of Vietnam – China Joint Railway Cooperation Committee aimed to implement the common perceptions reached by the two countries’ high-ranking leaders on strengthening cooperation and expediting cross-border railway projects.

 

Bac Ninh provincial leader works with Nanning Urban Rail Transit Group

BAC NINH – Pham Van Thinh, Standing Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee (PPC) and Head of the province’s National Assembly delegation, held talks with Nanning Urban Rail Transit Group during his working trip to Nanning, China, on September 18.

Hyundai Rotem seeks partnership with Vietnam on high-speed rail development

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc hosted a reception for Chairman of automaker Thaco Tran Ba Duong and CEO and President of the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Hyundai Rotem Lee Yong-bae in Hanoi on September 9, during which Lee voiced the company’s interest in partnering with Vietnam on high-speed railway projects.