News Detail - Quang Tri Portal

Nguyen Van Phuong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Nguyen Danh Huy, Deputy Minister of Construction, presented gifts and congratulated passengers on the inaugural tourist train journey connecting heritage destinations

Attending the ceremony on behalf of Quang Tri Province were Nguyen Van Phuong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Le Hong Vinh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; Pham Thi Han, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Council; Truong An Ninh, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Head of the Provincial Party Committee’s Commission for Communications and Mass Mobilization; Le Vinh The, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Chief of the Provincial Party Committee Office; and Hoang Xuan Tan, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, along with representatives of relevant departments and agencies.

Delegates attend the launch ceremony of the “Phong Nha - Hue Imperial City: World Heritage Journey” tourist train

Representatives from the central government included Nguyen Danh Huy, Deputy Minister of Construction, and leaders of relevant agencies. Vietnam National Railways was represented by Dang Sy Manh, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Members’ Council, together with leaders of the railway corporation and its member companies. Representatives from Hue City’s Department of Tourism and other relevant departments and agencies also attended the event.

Delegates attend the launch ceremony of the “Phong Nha – Hue Imperial City: World Heritage Journey” tourist train

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Dao Anh Tuan, General Director of Vietnam Railways Transport Joint Stock Company, said the introduction of the “Phong Nha - Hue Imperial City” tourist train marks a new step in developing railway tourism products associated with the culture, history and landscapes of each destination. The service is designed not only to meet passengers’ transportation needs but also to offer distinctive experiences throughout the journey. At the same time, it aims to make railways an important link in Vietnam’s tourism ecosystem, where transportation does more than serve tourism - it works together with tourism to create new value for local communities, businesses and destinations.

Mr. Hoang Xuan Tan, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, speaks at the launch ceremony

Speaking at the ceremony, Hoang Xuan Tan, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, emphasized that the launch of the “Phong Nha - Hue Imperial City: World Heritage Journey” is an important event that translates cooperation agreements among the participating parties into practical action. The service is expected to strengthen connectivity, expand the scope of cooperation, link World Heritage sites and establish a distinctive new railway tourism product for Vietnam.

An overview of the launch ceremony

The tourist train serves as an important bridge between two prominent destinations in central Vietnam. The service opens access to a combined population market of approximately 3.2 million people in the two localities, while also connecting with domestic and international tourist markets. The two destinations are expected to welcome approximately 18 million visitors in 2026, with the figure projected to reach 20 million in subsequent years.

Quang Tri provincial leaders and delegates take a tour and experience the train

More importantly, the train is expected to help develop a “World Heritage Journey - Multi-Experience Services” tourism product, combining cultural heritage with natural wonders, expanding tourism markets, increasing the attraction of international visitors and helping reduce the seasonality of tourism.

Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, tours the train carriages

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Hoang Xuan Tan also emphasized that the event will create additional opportunities to promote the province’s image, enhance the appeal of its destinations and drive tourism development, particularly as Quang Tri is set to host Vietnam National Tourism Year 2027. The initiative will also strengthen connectivity with Hue City and other localities across the region.

Passengers can enjoy a wide range of services on board

To ensure the effective operation of the tourist train, Vice Chairman Hoang Xuan Tan called on Vietnam National Railways to continue directing its member units to improve service quality. He also urged closer coordination with relevant agencies, organizations and tourism businesses in Hue City and Quang Tri Province to develop attractive travel packages and services, while intensifying promotion and tourism marketing in key source markets, particularly international markets.

“Phong Nha - Hue Imperial City: A World Heritage Journey” spans approximately 190 km

Quang Tri Province pledged to continue supporting and coordinating with Vietnam National Railways and businesses throughout the operation and development of the service, with the goal of gradually improving its efficiency and maximizing the value of the railway tourism product.

Delegates attend the ceremony to unveil a commemorative plaque marking a project in celebration of the 145th anniversary of Vietnam’s railway sector and the 80th anniversary of Vietnam Railway Tradition Day

During the ceremony, delegates unveiled a commemorative plaque marking the project in celebration of the 145th anniversary of Vietnam’s railway sector and the 80th anniversary of Vietnam Railway Day. They also officially pressed the button to launch the tourist train.

Delegates press the button to officially launch the tourist train service

Immediately after the ceremony, the train departed from Dong Hoi Railway Station, carrying its first passengers on a journey to Hue Imperial City and opening a new railway tourism connection between Quang Tri Province and Hue City.

Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, attends the launch ceremony

The “Phong Nha - Hue Imperial City: World Heritage Journey” covers approximately 190 kilometers, directly connecting two of central Vietnam’s leading tourism hubs, home to UNESCO-recognized heritage sites and passing through areas closely associated with the nation’s history. The train’s stops and passenger pick-up and drop-off points serve as gateways to major attractions, including the Complex of Hue Monuments, Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Hien Luong – Ben Hai Riverbanks, Dong Hoi, and Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park.

Quang Tri provincial leaders and delegates tour the train and experience its services

The railway tourism service is expected to help connect destinations, encourage longer stays and increase tourist spending, while providing fresh momentum for the development of tourism and related services in the localities along the route.

The stations where the train stops to pick up and drop off passengers serve as gateways to prominent tourist destinations

The “Phong Nha - Hue Imperial City: A World Heritage Journey” tourist train operates on a daily basis. On the outbound journey, train HQ2 departs from Hue Station at 7:15 a.m. and is scheduled to arrive at Tho Loc Station at 11:55 a.m. On the return journey, train HQ1 leaves Tho Loc Station at 1:15 p.m. and is scheduled to arrive at Hue Station at 5:25 p.m.

Quang Tri Portal