The Hanoi Train: A Two-Deck Glass-Roof Journey from Thăng Long to Kinh Bắc
The Hanoi Train is Vietnam's first two-deck tourist train with expansive glass roofing, offering a luxurious, heritage-focused ride between Hanoi and Từ Sơn (Bắc Ninh)—a curated cultural journey that blends scenic views, live traditions, and stops at historic sites.
What Makes The Hanoi Train Unique
Two-level panoramic design: The train features two passenger decks with large panoramic glass windows and a glass roof that maximize natural light and viewing angles for countryside and city scenes.
"Moving boutique hotel" interiors: Each carriage mixes nostalgic, traditional design elements with modern comforts—air conditioning, premium seating, and refined wood-toned décor—to create a relaxed, upscale atmosphere.
Themed carriages: Five main passenger cars are themed after the historic five gates (cửa ô) of Thăng Long, each telling part of the capital's cultural story and often featuring different musical or artistic programming.
VIP carriage: The Ô Chợ Dừa car is positioned as the VIP cabin with priority services and an elevated onboard experience.
Typical Itinerary — Thăng Long to Kinh Bắc
- Departure times: Morning departure around 08:00 and an afternoon departure around 13:30 from Hanoi Railway Station.
- Long Biên Station stop: A scheduled ~20-minute stop at the historic Long Biên Station gives passengers photo and exploration time at the more-than-100-year-old terminal.
- Destination — Từ Sơn (Bắc Ninh): Upon arrival at Từ Sơn Station, shuttle transport takes guests to visit Đền Đô (the Lý dynasty temple complex honoring eight Lý kings) with guided cultural interpretation.
- Return: The train returns to Hanoi at the end of the round trip, completing the heritage circuit.
Ticket Prices & Booking Details
- Price ranges (reference): Standard fares range from 550,000 VND to 750,000 VND depending on carriage and deck; the Ô Chợ Dừa (VIP) seat is priced at 750,000 VND.
- Deck pricing: Ground-level seats typically quoted at 550,000 VND; upper-deck and stacked seating at about 650,000 VND; VIP at 750,000 VND.
- Children's policy: Children under 6 (under 1.12 m) travel free if sharing an adult seat; children 6–10 (under 1.32 m) receive a 15% discount; children over 10 or taller than 1.32 m pay adult fare.
- Senior & concessions: A 10% discount is offered to eligible Vietnamese citizens (60+), persons with disabilities, war invalids, and policy beneficiaries with proper ID.
- Booking & contact: Tickets are available at Hanoi Railway Station ticket counters, via the operator's online channel, and through authorized resellers; a hotline and an official website handle reservations and schedule updates.
Practical Travel Tips
- Book early: As a new and distinctive product, seats sell quickly—reserve at least one to two weeks in advance for weekends or holiday periods.
- Choose your departure: Morning departures provide the best natural light for photography inside the glass-roof carriages; afternoon departures are better for sunset views.
- Carry ID: Bring identity documents for all passengers, especially when claiming discounts or concessionary fares.
- Prepare for photos: Long Biên Station and the themed carriages are excellent photo locations—consider outfits that suit the nostalgic, elegant setting.
- Read up on destinations: Learning basic background about Đền Đô and Quan Họ folk culture enhances appreciation of the onboard storytelling and stops.
What to Expect Onboard
- Live cultural performances and storytelling that reflect Hanoi's heritage and regional traditions.
- Onboard refreshments and light seasonal snacks, plus souvenir options and guided commentary.
- Comfortable seating capacity per carriage typically ranges from 40 to 60 passengers, and passengers may move between cars during the journey.
Why Travelers Are Excited
The Hanoi Train is promoted as more than transit: it's a multisensory cultural product that showcases Thăng Long's thousand-year history while giving visitors new perspectives on Hanoi's urban and rural landscapes from an elevated, glass-roof observation format—making it a standout experience in Northern Vietnam travel.
