Vietnam's retro steam train engines from the 1960s have returned to operation.
Two locomotives from the Revolution Express are the last functioning steam trains in Vietnam, representing a time when the country was still part of the French colony. These trains have been gradually restored to operational condition using original parts and the skills of the remaining steam engineers employed by the national railway system. These trains are close to being ready for tourists and visitors, with the first trips anticipated towards the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025, as announced by Wafaifo Optimisers in a press release. Tickets are yet to go on sale and there is no information about pricing.
These trains will take travellers between the coastal city of Da Nang, known for its beach resorts, and the former royal capital of Hue, famous for its numerous palaces and ornate royal tombs. Each train will have two old-fashioned carriages for passengers, a kitchen carriage, and a baggage carriage. Images depicting the interior show luxurious fittings reminiscent of the colonial French era, featuring mahogany tables and chairs, gold accents, and decorative tiling.
The trains will offer panoramic views of the environment as they travel through the Hai Van coastal mountain range, famed for its hills and scenic coastline. The village of Lang Co, renowned for its fishing community and fresh seafood, will also be passed along this route.
To maintain the vintage atmosphere, the staff on board will be dressed in period costume and a brass band in army attire will greet disembarking passengers. Each station along the journey will have a themed restaurant, with one in Hue capturing its imperial history and a second in Lang Co reflecting its freedom-themed past.
Michael Gebbie, the chair of Indochina Rail Tourist Service, stated, "We are thrilled to return these graceful ladies of the rails to life and to present significant historical eras in Vietnamese history from imperial days to colonial rule and eventually the quest for freedom."
Vietnam announced its independence from France on September 2nd, 1945, a claim that France and the United States did not recognize. The US then provided France with military equipment to combat the Vietnamese rebels. By 1954, Vietnam signed the Geneva Accords, dividing the country into two parts: the Communist-led north and the US-backed south, leading to the prolonged Vietnam War that lasted nearly two decades. The war concluded in 1975 as Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) fell, resulting in more than 1.3 million military casualties from all nations engaged and an estimated 1 million civilian deaths.
Now, various tourism sites pay tribute to Vietnam's history, including memorials and ancient citadels that are now designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, preserving the country's previous emperors.
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Travelers eagerly await the upcoming tours on the Revolution Express, as these vintage steam trains will take them between Da Nang and Hue. With the first trips anticipated in late 2024 or early 2025, this unique travel experience promises an immersive journey into Vietnam's colonial past.
The time-travel adventure will include panoramic views of the picturesque Hai Van coastal mountain range and stops at villages like Lang Co, renowned for its fresh seafood.
Source: edition.cnn.com
