Heritage train service between Hanoi and Vietnam's renowned tea land officially launched

The train enters regular service after a successful trial run during the 2026 Thai Nguyen International Tea Festival, organized from October 30 to November 7.

The six-car train consists of five air-conditioned soft-seat coaches and one community carriage dedicated to cultural activities, including Then singing, tea appreciation and tastings of Thai Nguyen’s local specialities.

The train departs Hanoi Station at 6:25 am and arrives at Luu Xa Station at 8:25 am, stopping at Hanoi, Long Bien, Dong Anh, Pho Yen and Luu Xa stations along the way.

A round-trip ticket between Hanoi and Luu Xa costs VND180,000 ($7).

Passengers may explore Thai Nguyen independently or join organized tours.

The return service leaves Luu Xa Station at 8:50 am and arrives in Hanoi at 10:50 am, allowing visitors from Thai Nguyen to enjoy day trips to the Vietnamese capital.

To attract passengers, Vietnam Railways is offering several promotions, including buy-two-get-one-free deals for groups of three and special discounts for larger groups and round-trip bookings.

According to Do Trong Hiep, chairman of the Thai Nguyen Tourism Association, six pilot trips operated during the 2026 Thai Nguyen International Tea Festival achieved an average occupancy rate of 85 percent, with positive feedback from visitors.

Nguyen Huu Cuong, director of Trang An Travel, said the company offers three package-tour options for the journey.

The first and second one-day tours cost VND790,000 ($30.75) per person and include round-trip train tickets, visits to historical and cultural sites, tea plantations and tea-tasting experiences.

A more extensive two-day, one-night tour costs VND1.85 million ($72) per person and includes visits to Cau Da Tea Hill, Cua Tu Stream, Nui Coc Lake and several cultural attractions.

Tourism officials expressed hope that the new heritage train will boost visitor flows between Hanoi and Thai Nguyen while creating a unique tourism product centered on the province's tea culture.