Published on
October 19, 2025
The Hanoi 5 Cua O, or The Hanoi Train, is making waves in the travel industry as an offbeat travel experience in Hanoi, Vietnam. The tourist train introduced to highlight the rich heritage of Hanoi takes passengers on a cultural-themed tour from the capital city to Tu Son, a historic town in Bac Ninh Province. This new project is the ultimate combination of transportation and cultural discovery, providing tourists with an insider’s experience into the depths of the history of Hanoi.
A Heritage-Themed Train Journey
Inspired by the five historic gates of Hanoi, the Hanoi 5 Cua O train aims to provide visitors with a cultural exploration through the Hanoi-Tu Son route. The train takes passengers through areas known for their rich cultural significance, allowing them to reconnect with the unique cultural values of the Kinh Bac region, often referred to as the cradle of Vietnam’s civilization.
Tao Duc Hiep, Chairman of BHL Tourism and Trade Services JSC, emphasized that the train is designed to offer a heritage-rich experience that combines transportation with historical exploration, offering a fresh and innovative way to engage with Vietnamese culture. The train offers more than just a means of getting from point A to B—it’s an experience that ties together the past and present of the region, enabling passengers to experience Vietnam’s heritage in a modern, engaging way.
Connecting Hanoi with Heritage Sites
The Hanoi 5 Cua O train serves not just as a mode of transport but as a cultural bridge between Hanoi and Bac Ninh Province, allowing travelers to connect with several heritage sites along the route. This includes regions that have shaped Vietnam’s history and identity, making it more than a train ride, but a journey through time.
Hanoi, with its centuries-old history, offers an incredible array of architectural landmarks, temples, and historic structures. The train aims to bring these cultural gems into sharp focus, guiding passengers through the essence of the Kinh Bac area, which played a vital role in the development of Vietnamese civilization.
Integrating Tourism and Transportation
In recent years, transportation systems around the world have been evolving beyond their traditional role of simply moving people from one location to another. The Hanoi 5 Cua O train is a part of this global trend, where transportation systems are becoming a key component of the tourism experience. By integrating cultural exploration with everyday transportation, cities are transforming rail and metro lines into mobile tourist experiences that offer immersive cultural engagement.
This shift towards experiential tourism through urban rail and inner-city trains is evident in Hanoi’s focus on using public transportation not only to transport locals and visitors but to enhance their understanding of the city’s culture. Visitors no longer just “move” through the city but also learn about its heritage as they travel. The concept is a win-win: it boosts tourism, increases local engagement, and enhances the overall visitor experience.
Tourism Products Along Metro and Rail Lines
Hanoi has also embraced this trend with the development of tourism products tied to its growing metro and railway systems. For example, Metro Line 2A (Cat Linh – Ha Dong) and the elevated section of Metro Line 3 (Nhon – Hanoi Station) now serve as more than just commuter routes. Two new tourism products have been introduced along these lines: “Hanoi Metro Green Journey – Van Phuc Silk Village” and “Hanoi Metro Green Journey – Temple of Literature – Phu Luong Depot”.
These tours provide travelers with an opportunity to experience Hanoi’s famous landmarks while traveling by metro, ensuring that cultural tourism is incorporated into the travel experience from the moment visitors step onto public transportation. These offerings demonstrate how metro systems can serve as tourist attractions in their own right, offering convenient, affordable, and enriching experiences.
Affordable Travel and Expanding Tourist Access
Hung, a representative of Hanoi Metro, emphasized that the city is working to develop more distinctive tourism products that extend beyond the central tourist hubs. This strategy not only gives visitors access to affordable accommodations and attractions outside the city center but also helps in reducing the pressure on Hanoi’s main tourist areas. With the introduction of daily and weekly metro passes, visitors can access multiple attractions at lower costs, making it easier for tourists to explore more of Hanoi at their own pace.
This expansion into more affordable and diverse travel options helps ensure that a broader range of visitors, including those traveling on a budget, can enjoy the capital’s cultural offerings. The push for more affordable tourism makes Hanoi a more inclusive destination, where all tourists, regardless of budget, can experience the rich heritage of the region.
Enhancing the Passenger Experience: Modern Train Services
In addition to innovative cultural tourism products, the Vietnam Railways Corporation has made significant investments in modernizing its rail services. New developments include upgrades to passenger carriages, incorporating features such as semi-automatic doors, LED screens, free Wi-Fi, and contemporary interior designs that reflect the local culture and architecture. These improvements are designed to enhance the comfort and enjoyment of the travel experience.
These upgrades are aimed at attracting more tourists to travel by train and experience the beauty of Vietnam in comfort. Additionally, premium services, such as the Hoa Phuong Do (Flamboyant Flower) train and The Vietage carriage, offer luxurious travel experiences, further diversifying Vietnam’s rail tourism offerings.
Expanding Regional Tourism: More Products and Services to Come
As part of its strategy to further develop the tourism rail sector, the Vietnam Railways Corporation plans to cooperate with localities across Vietnam to create more region-specific products. These offerings will focus on connecting tourists to less-explored regions and helping stimulate local economies by creating new pathways for cultural tourism. The corporation also aims to introduce new all-inclusive rail tours and premium services on key routes, encouraging tourists to explore Vietnam’s vast diversity of cultures, landscapes, and history.
A New Way to Experience Hanoi’s Culture
The Hanoi 5 Cua O train is a new face of experiential travel in Hanoi. By combining the comfort of contemporary railway travel with the cultural richness of the city, this project provides travelers with an ideal means to discover Vietnam’s past while riding in comfort and efficiency. With Hanoi at the forefront of innovation with transportation and travel experiences, the city is fast becoming a model of how transportation networks can be a central part of encouraging cultural tourism and creating a positive experience for visitors. This effort not only enhances tourism but also reinforces the city’s identity as a cultural center in Southeast Asia.
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