The first group of passengers recently boarded the cultural tourist train from Hanoi Station to Tu Son Station in Bac Ninh, a 40-minute ride. Along the way, visitors enjoyed the elegant space of the two-tier train, designed with dark tones and rustic wooden interiors that evoke nostalgia.

Delegates and visitors interact with Quan ho artists at Do Temple.

The five carriages are themed after Hanoi’s famous gates: Quan Chuong, Cau Den, Dong Mac, Cau Giay and Cho Dua.

Each carriage not only recalls memories of ancient Thang Long but is also equipped with tables, chairs, drinks, coffee and pastries, giving passengers the sense of sitting in a mobile cafe while watching city streets and rural landscapes roll by.

Visitors arrive at Tu Son station to experience tourism in Bac Ninh.

Folk melodies and Quan ho songs blended with the rhythmic sound of wheels on the tracks, bridging past and present.

Nguyen Hong Linh, Deputy General Director of the Railway Transport Joint Stock Company, said: “We want to make this journey a cultural experience, where passengers can immerse themselves in the memories of old Hanoi while enjoying modern comforts.”

Visitors arrive at Tu Son station to experience a train tour from Hanoi’s five gates to Bac Ninh.

At Tu Son Station, tourists continued on to Do Temple, a national special relic dedicated to eight kings of the Ly dynasty. Passing through the moss-covered three-entrance gate, visitors found peace under the shade of ancient trees.

After the incense-offering ceremony, they listened to stories about the Ly kings’ contributions, deepening pride in the Thang Long – Kinh Bac heritage.

Many were excited to explore the region’s culture—listening to Quan ho songs at the Water Pavilion, learning traditional Dong Ho woodblock printing from artisans and tasting local specialties.

Bac Ninh has long been renowned for its unique cultural heritage. The rail tour from Hanoi to Do Temple is not just a journey of discovery but also a creative way to promote and bring visitors closer to Kinh Bac’s cultural space.

Visitors explore Do Temple by train.

As the cradle of Lac Viet civilization, Bac Ninh is linked to the legend of Kinh Duong Vuong, the nation’s ancestral king, and is also the birthplace of the Ly dynasty, which built the flourishing Dai Viet.

Through centuries of history, Bac Ninh has been seen as both a northern stronghold defending Thang Long and a land of remarkable heritage.

The goal is to make rail tourism a distinctive product that embodies the spirit of Kinh Bac—not only a novelty but a sustainable, long-term development.

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