On September 6th, 2025, a new kind of train pulled out from Hà Nội station. Its name is Hà Nội 5 Cửa Ô - The Hanoi Train, a tourist train launched by Vietnam Railways. The name immediately evokes nostalgia, because “5 Cửa Ô” refers to five historic gates of the old Thăng Long citadel. This train is a cultural journey, a way of remembering.
What It Is And What It Offers
The new train service connects Hà Nội and the nearby town of Từ Sơn in Bắc Ninh Province. The route runs through Long Biên, Gia Lâm, and Yên Viên, with a full round trip taking around 3.5 hours. Operated with two or more departures daily, typically in the morning and afternoon, the train offers not just transport, but a chance to explore the cultural heritage of northern Vietnam.
Each of the five main carriages is designed with inspiration from one of Hà Nội’s five historic city gates, or “cửa ô”, which once served as the official entrances to the old citadel. The train cars are two-level, air-conditioned, and equipped with comfortable seating, seasonal refreshments, and visual displays. Passengers also have access to audio or printed guides sharing stories about the places and traditions associated with the journey.
While relatively short in distance, the trip combines sightseeing with hands-on experiences, offering a slower and more reflective way to encounter the history and everyday culture of the Red River Delta.
One of the highlights comes at the Bắc Ninh stop, where visitors are transferred by shuttle to Đền Đô (Do Temple), a temple dedicated to the eight kings of the Lý Dynasty. There, they can attend performances of Quan họ, a style of traditional duet singing, and take part in local craft workshops, such as making Đông Hồ folk paintings or wrapping Phu Thê (Husband & Wife) cakes, a type of sweet associated with northern wedding customs.
A New Way To Remember
The “Hà Nội 5 Cửa Ô” tourist train offers a bridge between past and present. It honors a heritage of walls, gates, rivers, markets, and people who used to pass through those gates every day.
If you’re visiting Hà Nội, this train can be a beautiful way to see history sliding by from the window, history that still matters. It reminds you that in a city’s memory, names, gates, neighborhoods even when the physical stones are gone, still shine through. And sometimes what you gain most is what you didn’t even know you were looking for: a sense of belonging to thousands of years of life, movement, change.
How To Buy Tickets- Call the hotline 1900 2695 or for consultation and booking support.- Book tickets via text message/Zalo: 0335 023 023.- In-person urchase at Hà Nội Station or at any station along the route.Note: An online booking system will be launched soon. Ticket purchases are also available through domestic travel agencies. Ticket PricesPrices range from 550,000 VND to 750,000 VND (approx. 22-31 USD) per ticket, depending on the car and seating level.