All aboard for a Hanoi-Bac Ninh spring journey through memory and heritage

THE HANOI TIMES — In the fresh air of the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, The Hanoi Train on February 17 (the first day of the Lunar new year) launched its special spring program “Bringing Spring Home”, offering travelers a slow and immersive cultural journey connecting the two historic lands of Hanoi and its neighboring province of Bac Ninh.

Running through March 8, the Thang Long – Kinh Bac route offers more than transportation. It creates a moving sanctuary where families and friends can pause, breathe and reconnect with the spirit of Tet (Lunar New Year).

This is the first official tour linking Hanoi and Bac Ninh Province, marking a fresh option for holiday travel that blends nostalgia with discovery.

In Vietnamese culture, Tet is the season of reunion and gratitude, a time to turn back toward one’s roots. Though modern life has streamlined many rituals, the longing for a warm, traditional spring gathering remains strong. The Hanoi Train transforms that longing into a tangible experience.

Five carriages, named after Hanoi’s five historic gates – Cau Den, Quan Chuong, Cau Giay, Cho Dua and Dong Mac – evoke the charm of old Hanoi living rooms. Stepping aboard feels like entering a carefully curated memory.

Wood tones, vintage details and thoughtfully arranged spaces create an atmosphere that bridges generations. Here, culture, heritage, art, cuisine and spirituality unfold in one seamless journey.

The program is envisioned as an annual spring ritual, where memory and renewal meet. Rather than presenting heritage behind glass, the train brings it to life.

Travelers can taste traditional Tet delicacies, listen to seasonal stories and watch live performances of quan ho, ca tru, cheo, xam and trong quan folk music from the Red River Delta. The performances take place up close, dissolving the distance between artist and audience.

Departing from Hanoi Railway Station, the train heads northeast to Tu Son Station in Bac Ninh Province.

Known historically as Kinh Bac, this region gave birth to the Ly Dynasty and nurtured quan ho folk singing, now recognized by UNESCO. The landscape itself feels like a living archive of northern Vietnam’s cultural roots.

A highlight of the trip is a visit to Do Temple, dedicated to eight Ly Dynasty emperors. In the crisp air of early spring, visitors light incense and offer prayers for peace and prosperity, following a tradition that has endured for centuries.

On the return, the train stops for about 20 minutes at Long Bien Station in Hanoi. Passengers step out to admire the century-old Long Bien Bridge and capture photographs in two open-air cars, framed by the timeless skyline of the capital.

The experience balances reflection and comfort. Grandparents recount Tet stories of the past, parents rediscover a sense of calm and children encounter heritage firsthand.

The route weaves together two historic lands – Thang Long and Kinh Bac – connecting present-day urban life with the deep cultural layers beneath it.

Ticket prices remain stable during Tet, ranging from VND550,000 (US$21) to VND750,000 ($29). The package includes round-trip travel, traditional cuisine and curated cultural activities in Bac Ninh. Children under three ride free, and families and groups receive discounts.

With five double-deck seating cars and two open-space cars accommodating 287 passengers, The Hanoi Train functions as a mobile cultural gallery.

Each carriage seats between 44 and 65 passengers and features wide panoramic windows, allowing uninterrupted views of the countryside as the train glides through fields, villages and river landscapes.

In a season defined by reunion, “Bringing Spring Home” offers a different kind of homecoming. It invites travelers to slow down, look inward and rediscover the enduring heartbeat of northern Vietnam – one rail at a time.