On November 17, a large number of tourists flocked to Hanoi station to experience the special train journey heading to Gia Lam train factory, where the 2023 Hanoi Creative Design Festival takes place. What's interesting about this special train ? Let's explore the train trip with Autour Asia in the article below!
1. Introducing the special train journey to Gia Lam
The Vietnam Railway Corporation (VNR) has unveiled plans to introduce specialized train services shuttling between central Hanoi and the Gia Lam train factory, serving as the focal point for the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023, scheduled from November 17 to 26.
This dedicated train voyage bridges the Red River's expanse, embarking from the Hanoi railway station, traversing the iconic Long Bien bridge-an architectural symbol standing for over 120 years-and concluding at Gia Lam railway station. Passengers can then easily access the adjacent former Gia Lam train factory, now transformed into a vibrant community space hosting booths showcasing diverse domestic creative brands and products spanning various domains, from handicrafts to fashion, and communications and advertising.
On the festival's inaugural day, the train is scheduled to depart from Long Bien bridge at 7:50 pm, returning from Gia Lam railway station at 10:25 pm, reconnecting travelers with the heart of the city.
Throughout the festival duration, morning services will ferry passengers to Gia Lam station, with return trips to Hanoi railway station in the city center available during the afternoon.
Beyond the Gia Lam train factory, the city's landmarks like the Hang Dau water tower and Long Bien bridge will undergo transformation into captivating installation art spaces, welcoming visitors throughout the festival.
2. Train schedules to Gia Lam
The speacial train journey is Hanoi Station - Long Bien Station - Gia Lam Station and vice versa. A single trip fare amounts to 20,000 VND.
Citizens and tourists who want to buy train tickets to participate in the festival can visit the website:
https://dsvn.vn/#/ or at stations and ticket agents nationwide.
3. Experiences the train trip to Gia Lam
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Tuyen, upon learning of a train trip from Hanoi station to Gia Lam Railway Factory, embarked on a 60-kilometer trip from Bac Giang to enroll for participation, marking the morning of November 18 on his calendar.
Partaking in the 2023 Hanoi Creative Design Festival, he, accompanied by his 6-year-old grandson, commenced their journey at 5 a.m., striving to board the inaugural train departing at 8 a.m.
Though a familiar traveler on this route, Mr. Tuyen cherishes the fleeting 20-minute passage across the Long Bien bridge, relishing the panoramic view of the Red River on either side. Beyond the standard passenger cars, this special train journey boasts two additional carriages, furnished with plush sofas, comfortable foam chairs, and a dedicated play area catering to young passengers.
"The hallmark lies within the design ambiance within Gia Lam Train Factory. It's an excursion where adults traverse through time, revisiting memories of yesteryears, while children delve into historical narratives," expressed the 50-year-old enthusiast. He eagerly mentioned plans to revisit Hanoi the following week, intending to explore Hang Dau station.
Eager to enrich her sons' weekends with meaningful experiences, Ms. Vo Thi Quynh Trang, a 43-year-old residing in Ba Dinh district, Hanoi, took the initiative to join Mr. Tuyen by registering for the same train journey.
Stepping into the train factory for the first time, Ms. Trang found herself astounded by the expansive interiors where numerous production zones were ingeniously transformed into distinctive design spaces. "The sheer magnitude of the space is remarkable, offering a canvas where both parent and child can seamlessly blend into environments steeped in historical nuances," remarked Ms. Trang, reflecting on the immersive experience.
Having avidly followed the Hanoi Creative Design Festival for years, 22-year-old Que Chi from Hoang Mai district expressed that this edition stood out as her most remarkable experience, especially within the historical setting where she marveled at the array of design works on display.
"Typically, Gia Lam would be out of my usual route due to its distance. However, this special train journey provided a unique chance to delve deeper into the locomotive creation process," Chi explained, emphasizing her newfound appreciation. Yet, she encountered challenges with certain art displays lacking informative captions, prompting her to seek assistance from the coordinator for a comprehensive understanding.
Open to public visits, the Gia Lam Train Factory, established in 1905 across a sprawling 20-hectare expanse, has ingeniously repurposed spaces like workshops 3B1, 3B2, 5B, and power station 33B into 16 exhibition sections, amalgamating striking visual effects to captivate visitors.
A significant draw for visitors lies in the "steam locomotive" precinct nestled within the longan garden grounds. Here stands locomotive number 141-179, fondly referred to as the "Tu Luc locomotive," proudly representing one of the three steam locomotives from the esteemed Mikado series. These locomotives were meticulously researched, designed, and crafted by the dedicated engineers at the Gia Lam Locomotive Enterprise back in 1964.
Residing in Gia Lam for over five decades, 53-year-old Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoan reminisced about her childhood days when regular visits to the great train journey with her parents made the surroundings feel like a second home. Upon hearing about the forthcoming creative design festival, she rallied ten friends to don the elegant traditional Vietnamese ao dai, intending to visit the factory and capture timeless moments amidst the locomotive.
"In such a unique ambiance today, I yearn to don the traditional Ao Dai and revive the beautiful memories I shared with the locomotive," expressed the nostalgic 53-year-old.
In conclusion, this
special train journey ensures a plethora of captivating experiences awaits. If you are looking for a special train trip, don't hesitate to try coming here. Please visit
our website for more useful information!
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