If you want to see Hanoi from a different angle — slower, softer, and steeped in cultural storytelling — the new Hanoi heritage train (aka the “Hanoi 5 Cửa Ô” train or “The Train Hanoi”) is a smart choice. Rather than sprinting between landmarks, you ride through them, with performances, craft demonstrations and scenic views built into the journey.
This is the kind of travel experience that doubles as a moving mini-museum: you sit back, sip lotus tea, watch the Red River glow under the Long Biên Bridge, and let the music and stories come to you.
What to Expect
Scenic Route & Comfortable Design
The train departs from Hanoi Central Station and rolls past iconic sites such as Long Biên Bridge, Gia Lâm, and Yen Viên before terminating at Từ Sơn Station in Bac Ninh Province.
It uses double-deck carriages (ten cars in total, including check-in / “photo coach” cars) themed after the old gates of Thăng Long: Ô Quan Chưởng, Ô Cầu Dền, Ô Cầu Giấy, Ô Chợ Dừa and Ô Đống Mác.
Interiors blend heritage motifs with modern comfort: panoramic windows, wood accents, soft lighting, and seating designed for relaxed observation.
Onboard Entertainment & Culture
This isn’t a silent rail commute. Expect traditional music performances — quan họ (love-duet folk singing from Kinh Bắc), ca trù, xẩm, and chèo — plus live demonstrations of Dong Hồ folk painting and “Phu The” cake making, as well as craft workshops built into the train experience.
You’ll also receive regional snacks and drinks, such as sticky rice, lotus-scented tea, seasonal treats, and possibly light meals depending on the departure.
Easy Access to Bac Ninh Heritage
Once the train arrives at Từ Sơn, you’re positioned close to several of Bac Ninh’s cultural gems: Đô Temple (Temple of the Lý Kings), villages steeped in Quan Họ folk music, ancient pagodas, and small craft homes. Bac Ninh is also a recognized stronghold of Kinh Bắc cultural heritage, making it a natural extension of a heritage rail journey.
I boarded at Hanoi Central Station just after 8 a.m., climbing into a polished double-decker car decorated with motifs of ancient city gates. The upper deck gave me sweeping views as we crossed Long Biên Bridge and followed the Red River’s winding path out of the city.
Soon enough, music began: a duo singing quan họ from Kinh Bắc, shifting into xẩm folk tunes, while a craftsman moved quietly between seats painting mini Dong Hồ prints. I sipped on warm lotus tea and munched on sticky rice — the slow pace and gentle rhythm turned what could have been a simple transit ride into a softly theatrical experience.
Pulling into Từ Sơn Station, the countryside felt close, human, and calm. I stepped off and explored Đô Temple, just a short walk away, then drifted into a small Quan Họ village where local singers were practicing for an upcoming festival. By the time I returned to the train for the trip back to Hanoi, I felt like I’d traveled both distance and time — not just kilometers, but generations.
Suggested a Half-Day Itinerary
This is how you could build a half-day or full cultural outing around the heritage train ride:
Time Activity
08:00 – 09:00 Board heritage train at Hanoi Central Station, enjoy the moving cultural show
09:00 – 10:30 Arrive at Từ Sơn Station, walk to Đô Temple and explore the temple complex
10:30 – 11:30 Visit a nearby Quan Họ village or local craft stop (folk singing, village atelier)
11:30 – 12:30 Lunch at a local Bac Ninh restaurant (go for regional specialties)
12:30 – 13:00 Return to Từ Sơn Station and reboard the train
13:00 – 13:40 Scenic return leg — relax, enjoy tea, take photos
13:40 – 14:00 Back in Hanoi — drop off at Central Station or nearby, ready to continue your day
If you want to stretch it, take the afternoon train instead (14:00 departure), extend your time in Bac Ninh, or return on the evening train for a calm nighttime rail ride back through Hanoi’s lights.