Railway connects journey to discover Hai Phong
The Ha Noi – Hai Phong railway not only connects destinations but also provides an opportunity to experience the culture, cuisine and pace of life of the port city.
One train, multiple experiences
During the National Day holiday, Ha Noi Railway Station was bustling with passengers boarding trains to Hai Phong. Among them was Nguyen Thu Ngan, who chose rail travel for a short trip with her friends.
As the train left Ha Noi Railway Station, rows of buildings quickly receded into the distance. The group chatted, admired the scenery and looked forward to the food tour they had planned in advance.
While the group of young friends was looking for new experiences, Pham Duc Anh from Phu Tho was taking a trip specifically for his family. During the National Day holiday, he traveled to Hai Phong by train with relatives and several families of friends, instead of driving as they usually did.
For a family with both adults and young children, traveling by train also creates time for everyone to talk, relax and enjoy the scenery along the way.
At exactly 10:30 am, the train arrived at Hai Phong Railway Station, and the two journeys continued in different ways. After checking in at the station entrance, Ngan’s group got on the motorbikes they had rented in advance and set off to find food spots and explore the city. Meanwhile, Duc Anh’s family took a taxi and spent time enjoying local specialties, visiting the city and making the most of their holiday together. For each person, Hai Phong is experienced from a different perspective – beginning with the very railway tracks leading to the city.
Connecting tourism products
The 99-km Ha Noi-Hai Phong railway was put into operation in the early 20th century. Along the journey, railway stations, bridges, rural landscapes and urban areas successively appear through the train windows, creating a constantly changing “picture.”
According to Tran Van Hanh, Director of the Hai Phong Railway Transport Branch, this is also one of the factors that make the route attractive. Visitors can experience the transition from rural landscapes in Ha Noi and Hung Yen to an urban setting as they approach Hai Phong. Historic structures and railway stations, including Long Bien Bridge, also leave an impression on many passengers, particularly international visitors and overseas Vietnamese returning to their homeland.
A new highlight is the Red Flamboyant train. The signature image of the port city has been brought onto the train, adding a “touchpoint” of culture and destination identity to the journey to Hai Phong.
The combination of transport and tourism is creating clear momentum. Over the one-year period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, the Ha Noi-Hai Phong railway carried 976,298 passengers to Hai Phong. During the summer alone, the figure reached 520,652.
Passengers’ destinations after getting off the train are becoming increasingly diverse. While food tours were once the most appealing “invitation” for many visitors from Ha Noi, the journey now includes more cultural and historical attractions, as well as new recreational spaces.
HAI HAU - HOANG PHUOC