Vietnam's Ninh Binh test premium tourist train to Hanoi

The service is being developed under the theme 'Connecting Heritage Regions.'

About 140 people joined the trial, including officials from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Ninh Binh Province and Vietnam National Railways Group, as well as representatives of travel companies.

The participants assessed onboard services and connections between Ninh Binh Railway Station and tourist attractions in the province.

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

The proposed train would have 14 carriages, including premium passenger cars and a restaurant car, according to the plan under study.

The service is expected to operate daily in both directions between Hanoi and Ninh Binh once it is completed.

By combining transportation, dining, services and onboard experiences, the tourism and railway sectors hope to create a new tourism product in which the visitor experience begins as soon as passengers leave Hanoi.

Ninh Binh has advantages for developing railway tourism as it lies on the North-South railway line, providing a direct connection with Hanoi.

The province is home to major tourist destinations including the Trang An Landscape Complex, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and Tam Coc-Bich Dong, as well as ecological, cultural and craft village attractions.

Ninh Binh is estimated to have received more than 21 million visitors in the first nine months of 2026, including about 2.4 million international visitors.

Tourism revenue during the period was estimated at nearly VND22 trillion (US$836 million).

Visitor arrivals increased 25.5 percent year on year, while international arrivals rose 51.7 percent.

The Hanoi-Ninh Binh service is intended to connect the historical, cultural and scenic attractions of the two localities and strengthen cooperation among railway operators, travel companies and tourist destinations.

The trial will help assess the full service chain, including train operations, onboard services and connections from Ninh Binh Railway Station to tourist attractions, as they refine the service and develop tours for the coming period.