While air travel becomes more expensive, the railway sector has worked to unlock its tourism potential to meet high travel demand during the upcoming Liberation of the South - National Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labour Day (May 1) holidays.
According to the Việt Nam Railways Corporation (VNR), it is busy with arranging night trips to Đà Lạt City in the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng, providing visitors an opportunity to enjoy the splendour of the city of the thousands of flowers.
Before the official launch on April 14, free tickets are offered on the trips from April 11 - 13.
The DL11 train will leave Đà Lạt Station at 18:15 while DL12 departs from Trại Mát Station at 19:15, with free artichoke tea and wifi on board. Particularly, a cine dome that screens a railway documentary will be inaugurated at the Đà Lạt Station on April 14, bringing new experiences to visitors.
Earlier, a train route named “Central Heritage Connection” linking Huế City in the central province of Thừa Thiên Huế and Đà Nẵng City was put into operation at the end of March.
During about three hours of this train journey, tourists can contemplate the magnificent natural beauty along Hải Vân Pass, dubbed as "the world’s most marvelous wonder" and also among the 10 most beautiful drives in the world as selected by renowned US magazine Travel Leisure, with one side being Trường Sơn Mountain Range and the other the sea before reaching Đà Nẵng, which boasts one of the six most beautiful beaches on the planet.
On the way back, from Đà Nẵng to Huế, they can set foot in Huế City which is home to various heritage sites.
In particular, riding either trips departing Huế for Đà Nẵng or vice versa in the morning or the afternoon, tourists can enjoy the stunning sunrise or sunset scenes on Lăng Cô, one of the most beautiful bays in the world, and taste typical local delicacies.
The VNR said although the route was freshly operated, it has garner widespread interest from both domestic and international visitors.
According to Chairman of the VNR Member Council Đặng Sỹ Mạnh, the train on this route consists of five modern seating carriages and another for community activities, expected to be an impressive mobile check-in place for passengers. The train will be equipped with wifi in April.
At Đà Nẵng and Huế stations, there are VIP waiting rooms and automatic bicycle hire services.
The SE11/SE12 trains have been added to the Hà Nội – HCM City route to serve growing travel demand during the summer peak period.
An array of promotional programmes has been rolled out, including discounts for round-trip fares and tickets for groups of passengers. VNS