Ninh Binh tests luxury rail service linking Hanoi with heritage destinations

The trial service themed Connecting Heritage Regions brought together representatives from the provincial People’s Committee, Vietnam National Railways, Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and about 130 representatives from travel and tourism companies nationwide.

The 14-carriage train has been designed as a premium travel product, featuring high-end passenger carriages and a restaurant carriage. Rather than treating rail travel simply as a means of reaching a destination, the service combines transport, dining and onboard experiences as part of the journey itself.

After arriving at Ninh Binh Station, the group travelled on to Thung Ui, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and Tuyet Tinh Coc before returning to Hanoi.

The trial also provides an opportunity to assess how effectively the train can connect with tourism sites after passengers leave the station. Tourism authorities, railway operators and travel companies can review the full service chain, from journey times and operational quality to onboard services and onward connections to attractions in Ninh Binh.

Nguyen Van Minh, director of the Tourism Information and Promotion Centre under the Ninh Binh Department of Tourism, said the luxury train has been designed not only to connect the two destinations but also to link two spaces shaped by heritage, culture and landscapes.

From the historical and cultural values of Hanoi to Ninh Binh’s heritage sites, natural landscapes and local way of life, the journey could offer visitors a more seamless experience, with the means of transport itself becoming part of the tourism product, he said.

The approach is expected to diversify ways of accessing destinations, improve the quality of the visitor experience and enhance the appeal of travel between Hanoi and Ninh Binh. It could also open up new opportunities for rail tourism by combining transport with dining and cultural experiences, supporting a greener and more sustainable approach to tourism.