Sail Back in Time
Train Hanoi to Halong
Travel Hanoi to Halong by train
Road transport infrastructure in Vietnam is more and more developed, making it more convenient for the railways in many years.
After the failure of a five-star train between Ha Noi and Ha Long due to lack of passengers, the Yen Vien railway (Gia Lam, Ha Noi) - Ha Long (Quang Ninh) is now only maintaining on trip a week on Friday.
The train is composed of a passenger carriage only, a coal power fan that came from the 80s of the last century and two cargo cars with agricultural products.
Only 5 minutes from departure the train number 51501 for Ha Long will start, Yen Vien station in Hanoi didn't even one passenger.
Actually the only passenger, Pham Thi Binh (69 years old) from Vinh Yen, Vinh Phuc, took the train from Vinh Yen to Yen Vien station seven hours ago. She slept in the waiting room to go to Ha Long. Ms. Binh said that although the passenger buses are very convenient but she often sick in a car and have to go by train.
According to the regulations of the railways, Binh is entitled to a 15% discount price for the elderly (from 60 years old and above). Ms. Binh does not go all the way but only buy tickets to Mao Khe station, Quang Ninh for 46.000 VND (aprox 2 USD)
At 4:50 am, the train number 51501 leaves Yen Vien station, Ha Noi to Ha Long city, Quang Ninh.
The train consists of a tractor pulling a cargo coach and a passenger car. Passenger car with hard seats designed from the 80s of the last century, when departing from Yen Vien station the only passenger is Ms Pham Thi Binh.
Although there is only a passenger carriage, but most seats are empty and passengers can lie on the bench to sleep.
Coming to Kep station (Bac Giang), the train is connected with one more cargo car. Goods mainly belong to regular traders
Agricultural products transported to Halong to be taken on board from the train station.
The traders have been largely engaged with the train for several decades.
Like the trains of the old days, Mr. Nguyen Van Chuan (69 years old) has been selling tea for many years with each journey for a profit of 50.000 VND. In addition to selling tea, he is also hired to carry goods on and off the train and earn more money
Many passengers used to train from decades ago do not want to abandon the familiar atmosphere of the train that lasted for a long time.
Children traveling on the train will be less sick than going by car. They are so comfortable to sleep during the journey.
The old fan that has been used for decades not in use regularly
The train 51501 has to stop sharply to avoid accidents caused by this woman when crossing the railway without observing. All along this railway line there are many crossroads of people with no barriers or signs. Nguyen Ba Vinh, captain of the train on the Yen Vien - Ha Long route, said that since the number of trips dropped one time a week, the number of accidents decreased more than before.
Mrs Nguyen Thi Nhung has been trading fruits for several decades brings along her grand children as there is nobody at home to look after them. Nhung, like other traders wishes to travel on the train everyday as she says it is safer, cheaper and less sick than by car. (travel to Halong bay)
Because there is only one passenger and thus there is only one ticket collector is Ms Hoang Thi Phuong Thanh.
11.20 am the train 51501 arrived at Ha Long station. This is a newly built modern terminal but every week only one train arrives and departs on Friday.
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