123-year-old station in Vietnam’s Hai Phong becomes tourist attraction

Built in 1902, Hai Phong Station stands as one of Vietnam’s oldest railway stations.

Designed in classical French style, the station is a cultural and architectural relic that has witnessed more than a century of the city’s evolution.

It holds historical significance as well—most notably serving as the arrival point for late President Ho Chi Minh upon his return to Hanoi from the Fontainbleau Conference on October 21, 1946.

Speaking at the announcement ceremony on Saturday, Tran Thi Hoang Mai, director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said that the city is home to 942 historical and cultural relics, including Lan Ha Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, five special national relics, and numerous national and municipal-level heritage sites.

The station now becomes the 12th tourist destination in Hai Phong, joining other iconic landmarks like Hai Phong Opera House and Hai Phong Post Office, demonstrating local authorities’ effort in preserving the heritage while transforming it into a vibrant cultural and tourist hub.

With a railway network dating back nearly 145 years, Vietnam boasts a number of century-old railway sites.

The North-South Railway was named one of the world’s nine most spectacular train journeys by travel guide Lonely Planet in 2023.

Vietnam Railways has recently introduced a variety of new travel experiences designed to boost tourism and enhance passenger comfort.

These include high-quality trains between Hanoi and Da Nang, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, and routes connecting heritage sites between Hue and Da Nang.

Other additions include the Da Lat night train and the luxury Sjourney line.

Notably, the Flamboyant Flower Train on the Hanoi-Hai Phong railway line debuted on Saturday, featuring 20 carriages, including two VIP cars with 34 Indochine-style seats.

It also offers 56 seats with 180-degree rotation and 64 economy seats with flexible pricing.

Its amenities include semi-automatic doors, LED displays, free Wi-Fi, spacious hand-washing areas, and clean restrooms.

The exterior features a dominant red color inspired by the flamboyant flower, an iconic symbol of Hai Phong City.

The launch of the new train reflected the city's and Vietnam Railways’ joint commitment to modernization, cultural pride, and green tourism, offering both residents and visitors an upgraded and immersive travel experience.