On September 2nd, Vietnam’s National Day, a unique new tourist attraction debuts: the “Hanoi – 5 Gates” train, inspired by the remnants of the ancient Thăng Long Citadel. Each of the five carriages is named after a historic gate – O Cau Den, O Quan Chuong, O Cau Giay, O Cho Dua, and O Dong Mac – reflecting the capital’s millennial identity and the traditions of the Red River Delta.
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Hà Nội 5 Cửa Ô, usually translated as Hanoi 5 Gates, is a cultural tourism train operated by Vietnam Railways (VNR). It was introduced at a ceremony at Hanoi Station on August 19, 2025, ahead of Vietnam’s 80th National Day on September 2, and began commercial operation on September 6, 2025. The name refers to five historic gates of ancient Thăng Long: Ô Cầu Dền, Ô Quan Chưởng, Ô Cầu Giấy, Ô Chợ Dừa and Ô Đống Mác. Each of the five carriages is named after one of them, a nod to the remnants of the ancient Thăng Long Citadel.
The train consists of five double-decker carriages, each offering 40 to 60 seats, along with two carriages designed for photos and “check-in” moments. Large windows allow unobstructed views of the cityscape and the surrounding countryside.
More than just a tourist attraction, the project reflects the desire of Vietnam Railways and its partners to combine cultural preservation with innovation. It aims to restore the railway’s central role in urban life while highlighting intangible heritage and boosting tourism offerings.
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The interior is themed differently in each carriage, giving the ride an atmosphere that is both stylish and nostalgic.
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Inside the Hanoi 5 Gates train
Throughout the journey, travelers can enjoy performances of Vietnamese art forms such as quan họ, ca trù, chèo and xẩm. Ticket descriptions also mention lotus tea and phu thê (husband and wife) cake, a Bac Ninh specialty.
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Vietnamese Cultural Symbols
After the train reaches Tu Son Station, a shuttle takes passengers to Đền Đô, a temple dedicated to the eight kings of the Lý dynasty. According to Vietcetera (September 2025) and VTC News (February 2026), visitors can watch quan họ singing there and try activities such as Đông Hồ folk painting or wrapping phu thê cake.
The train leaves Hanoi Station at 8:00 and 13:30 on days when both services run, and the full round trip, including the visit to Đền Đô, takes about 3.5 hours.
| Service | Departs Hanoi Station | Back at Hanoi Station |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 8:00 | about 11:33 |
| Afternoon | 13:30 | about 17:00 |
The route runs from Hanoi Station through Long Biên, Gia Lâm and Yên Viên to Từ Sơn in Bac Ninh province, then returns via Long Biên Station to Hanoi Station. The ride between Hanoi and Từ Sơn takes about 40 minutes each way (Vietnam News, September 2025). VTC News (February 2026) reports a stop of about 20 minutes at Long Biên Station on the way back, so passengers can see the bridge. Times are from Vietnam News (September 2025) and a third-party train ticket reseller, last checked on October 26, 2026.
Check the date before you plan. VietnamPlus reported in August 2026 that the train runs roughly once a day, and a Klook listing checked on October 26, 2026 shows the 8:00 and 13:30 departures as depending on the date.
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A round-trip ticket costs VND 550,000 for a first-floor seat, VND 650,000 for a second-floor seat and VND 750,000 for the Ô Chợ Dừa VIP carriage, according to VTC News (February 2026). Children under 3 ride free according to VTC News, although another report says under 6, so ask the seller when you book.
| Seat | Price per person (VND) |
|---|---|
| First floor | 550,000 |
| Second floor | 650,000 |
| Ô Chợ Dừa VIP carriage | 750,000 |
VTC News lists the following as included: round-trip travel, the shuttle from Từ Sơn Station to Đền Đô, a guided visit, quan họ singing, Đông Hồ painting and phu thê cake. Resellers add their own service charges (one lists USD 6 per ticket), so the total on a booking platform can be higher. On October 26, 2026, Klook listed US$25.19 for a first-floor seat and US$29.05 for a second-floor seat.
All five carriages have two levels and differ by theme and price. Four carriages (Ô Cầu Dền, Ô Quan Chưởng, Ô Cầu Giấy and Ô Đống Mác) sell first-floor seats at VND 550,000 and second-floor seats at VND 650,000, while Ô Chợ Dừa is the VIP carriage at VND 750,000 (VTC News, February 2026).
| Area of the Ô Cầu Dền carriage | Seats | Price per person (VND) |
|---|---|---|
| First floor | 24 | 550,000 |
| Loft | 6 | 650,000 |
| Second floor | 34 | 650,000 |
This layout of the Ô Cầu Dền carriage (64 seats) comes from a third-party ticket reseller, checked on October 26, 2026. Layouts for the other carriages were not available, so treat the numbers as one example.
Seats are assigned when you book rather than chosen. Klook’s listing says seats are randomly assigned and that it will try to seat groups together. Reviewers on Klook (April to September 2026) say the first floor is where you can wave to people along the tracks and at the Train Street cafes, and one reviewer who booked the upper deck arrived early and took photos before it got busy. Another reviewer noted that passengers could not walk between carriages, so check which carriage your ticket names before you board.
According to Vietcetera (September 2025), tickets can be bought by hotline (1900 2695), by text or Zalo (0335 023 023), in person at Hanoi Station or other stations on the route, or through travel agencies, and an online booking option was announced for later. International platforms such as Klook also sell the ride. Confirm that the contact details are still current before you rely on them.
Foreign visitors are asked for a passport and the electronic ticket (the Grand Mercure Hanoi guide lists national ID card or passport plus the e-ticket). Vietnamese passengers can board using a biometric verification system linked to their national electronic ID card, based on the civil registry database. The VNeID app is planned to allow ticket verification through digital identity, so a physical document would no longer be needed.
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No official refund or change policy for the Hanoi 5 Gates train was found in the sources checked on October 26, 2026, so the rules depend on who sold the ticket. 24hmoney advises contacting the operator’s hotline (1900 2695) about refunds and changes, and notes that the round-trip ticket must be kept for the return journey.
Resellers set their own terms. Klook lists the ticket as conditionally cancellable, with confirmation within 48 hours. One reseller charges 10% of the ticket price for cancellation 15 or more days before departure, 20% from 7 to under 15 days, 30% from 72 hours to under 7 days, and nothing is refunded within 72 hours; it also says tickets cannot be transferred or exchanged. Read the seller’s terms before you pay.
Klook, which sells the ticket, showed a 4.5 out of 5 rating from 101 reviews and more than 3,000 bookings on October 26, 2026. Most of the reviews shown on the page give five stars. The points they raise most often are below, with the month of each review.
| What reviewers liked | What reviewers flagged |
|---|---|
| Carriage design with wooden interiors and warm lighting (April 2026) | Little scenery on the ride, mostly vegetation (April 2026, a 4-star review) |
| Live traditional music on the outbound and return legs (September 2026) | A crowded temple stop of about an hour and a chaotic return to the shuttle (May 2026) |
| Snacks and drinks provided and attentive staff (April 2026) | A 20-minute wait at Long Biên Bridge on the return (May 2026), which other reviewers describe as a photo stop |
| A chance to step out near Long Biên Bridge for photos (April and September 2026) | Heat and few food options near the temple, so eat beforehand (April 2026) |
| Announcements in English (February 2026) | A boarding gate that was hard to find, with only a seat number on the ticket (September 2026) |
These are individual opinions from a platform that sells the tickets.
Book ahead. VietnamPlus reported average occupancy of around 80% in the train’s first year, and the Grand Mercure Hanoi guide recommends booking in advance for weekends and public holidays. It also suggests arriving 15 to 30 minutes before departure to check in and take photos.
Is the Hanoi 5 Gates train the same as Train Street?
No. Train Street is a residential lane in Hanoi where cafes sit beside an active railway line, while the Hanoi 5 Gates train is a tourist service that runs from Hanoi Station to Tu Son in Bac Ninh province. Some Klook reviewers say the train passes the Train Street area and that passengers wave to the people watching from the cafes.
Can foreign visitors ride the Hanoi 5 Gates train?
Yes. VietnamPlus reported in August 2026 that international visitors make up about 40% of passengers. Foreign visitors are asked for a passport and the electronic ticket, according to the Grand Mercure Hanoi guide, and tickets are sold by travel agencies and platforms such as Klook.
Can children ride the Hanoi 5 Gates train?
Reports differ on the age limit. VTC News (February 2026) says children under 3 ride free, while 24hmoney says children under 6 ride free and share a seat with an adult. Klook states that infants and children must still be included in the passenger headcount. Ask the seller before you book.
Does the Hanoi 5 Gates train run every day?
Not necessarily twice a day. VietnamPlus reported in August 2026 that the train runs roughly once a day, and a Klook listing checked on October 26, 2026 shows the 8:00 and 13:30 departures as depending on the date. Confirm the date and departure time before you book.
Where does the Hanoi 5 Gates train depart from?
It departs from Hanoi Railway Station at 120 Le Duan Street. A Klook reviewer in September 2026 noted that the boarding gate was on the second floor of the station at that time, so check your ticket and allow time to find it.
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If you're traveling from Australia and want to book tickets for the Hanoi – 5 Gates Train in advance for October, here’s how you can do it:
Call from Australia: Dial +84 335 023 023 (via phone or Zalo, the popular messaging app in Vietnam). Use the full international dialing format: 0011 84 335 023 023.
Message via Zalo: If calling is hard, you can use the Zalo app to send a message in English. Ask for tickets and details, and they’ll help arrange everything.
Hotel or Travel Agency Help: Many hotels or travel agencies in Hanoi can assist in booking and sending you an e-ticket.
Advice:
Since October is a busy time (due to festivals and weekends), it's best to book early. I’d recommend using Zalo or calling directly so you can secure your tickets and avoid long lines at the station. Don’t forget to ask for an e-ticket and online payment options for a smoother process!