80 reasons to rediscover Hanoi: A festive journey through culture, cuisine, and connectivity

THE HANOI TIMES —The product suite titled 80 Unmissable Hanoi Experiences During the Historical Festive Season, recently launched by the Hanoi Department of Tourism, is expected to offer rich, memorable travel experiences amid the cool autumn atmosphere of the city.

80 fresh options for an 80-year milestone

Tran Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, recently introduced the 80 Hanoi tourism products at the conference Connecting Tourism Businesses with the Railroad Sector in Hanoi in 2025, held in the capital.

These tourism offerings aim to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and Vietnam’s National Day (September 2). In anticipation of the occasion, Hanoi’s tourism sector has been rolling out a variety of initiatives to refresh the city’s appeal.

Of particular note is the official launch of a complete product series titled 80 Unmissable Hanoi Experiences During the Historical Festive Season.

The offerings are divided into eight themed categories: heritage, culture and history; ecology, leisure and nature; cuisine, shopping and urban experiences; art, nightlife and creativity; agriculture, craft villages and modern countryside; and transport, including metro, rail, waterways and aviation.

“We will enable tourists to experience Hanoi in motion. With 14 products linked with tourist vehicles, from cyclos, electric cars, double-decker buses, to the Cat Linh - Ha Dong elevated railway, inner-city trains, or cruises along the Red River, tourists will see a multi-layered, multi-perspective Hanoi.

Each means of transport is a different way to feel the pulse of the city. Hanoi does not stand still; Hanoi always invites visitors with open routes,” Hieu emphasized.

Several products were officially announced and put into operation at the event for the first time, including railway tourism products developed by Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) and Hanoi Metro. These newcomers are expected to become stand-out experiences within the series, attracting greater interest from both domestic travelers and foreign visitors.

Rail tourism - a promising direction for Hanoi

Rail tourism is seen as a forward-looking strategy for Hanoi, offering safe, convenient travel with unique experiences. At the conference, travel agencies and railway service providers signed cooperative agreements to develop this tourism segment.

“I believe that if we continue to keep up the spirit of cooperation, information sharing, and improving products and services, the linkage between the tourism and railway sectors will become a model for inter-industry relations, bringing economic and social benefits and a beautiful image for the country,” said Hieu.

According to Hieu, the tourism and rail sectors have long enjoyed a close connection. While the railway provides a safe, economical and environmentally friendly mode of transport, tourism delivers a stable and diverse passenger base. Collaboration between the two industries has helped extend visitor stays, increase spending, and provide tangible benefits to local communities.

In today’s context, where green and experience-based tourism is in demand, this combination opens the door to themed charter trains, cultural rail carriages, and itineraries linking heritage sites, festivals, and inter-regional destinations.

Hanoi’s Metro: A moving cultural experience

Nguyen Van Ngoc, Deputy Director of Hanoi Metro, said that the city currently operates two urban railway routes: Cat Linh-Ha Dong and Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station.

The first one passes through a number of the capital’s key heritage landmarks and major tourist destinations, connecting Ba Dinh Square, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Temple of Literature, Vincom Mega Mall Royal City, Van Phuc Silk Village, and well-developed Phu Luong Depot.

To date, Hanoi Metro has introduced two model tours based on the Cat Linh-Ha Dong line, including the Green Journey - Van Phuc Silk Village and Green Journey - Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) - Phu Luong Depot.

In addition, tourism products using Vietnam Railways’ traditional network are being developed. These include 10 stations and two key routes that pass through Hanoi Railway Station, which boasts over 100 years of history and distinctive architectural value.

Recently, the SJourney Luxury Train Hanoi, an eight-day, seven-night itinerary, was launched, demonstrating Vietnam’s ability to deliver premium travel experiences.

On August 19, a cross-city railway line known as The Hanoi Train will debut, offering travelers a nostalgic journey through the capital’s timeless urban character.

Through this line, the Hanoi Department of Tourism aims to promote the city’s latest tourism product set, particularly the new rail tourism offerings, developed by reputable and high-quality travel providers.

The department is actively encouraging tourism businesses to design tour packages that incorporate rail travel, especially those aligned with seasonal and cultural events. At the same time, the railway sector has been asked to enhance service quality, introduce specialised tourism carriages, and improve passenger comfort and onboard experiences.

Hanoi authorities remain committed to supporting the railway sector in the creation and implementation of new tourism products, offering favorable policies, promotional support, pilot programs and long-term development plans.

“If we work together, I believe that Hanoi will become a railway tourism destination with the most creative heritage experiences. And each train will be an experience-rich journey, helping Vietnam shine brightly and appeal to domestic and foreign tourists,” Hieu stated.

From modern metro lines weaving through historic quarters to immersive countryside rail journeys and elegant luxury trains, Hanoi is inviting the world to discover its rhythm from a fresh perspective.

As the capital marks a major historical milestone, the city promises to offer travelers a truly unique and dynamic experience.