Tourism industry pins hopes on high-speed rail

Tran Trong An of Hanoi recalls his experience traveling from Taipei to Kaohsiung in Taiwan, a 350-km trip, in just 90 minutes on a high-speed train.

"On the train, you can comfortably read, enjoy a cup of tea, even sleep because it runs so smoothly," he says.

"The thought of taking a high-speed train from Hanoi in the morning and enjoying com tam (broken rice) in HCMC makes me really excited."

Dieter Buchner, a German living in Hue, says he used to take a high-speed train from Cologne in Germany to Paris in France, covering 600 km in just three hours.

Traveling between provinces in Vietnam by car is challenging for him due to the chaotic traffic, he claims.

He too looks forward to a high-speed train connecting major tourism cities to make travel across the country easier.

According to the Ministry of Transport, construction of the high-speed railroad is expected to begin in late 2027. Ngoc Hoi station in Hanoi's Thanh Tri District and Thu Thiem Station in HCMC's Thu Duc City will be the northern and southern ends of the line.

Running through 20 provinces and cities, it will operate at speeds of up to 350 kph and is expected to cost $67.34 billion and financed without foreign loans.

Dr. Trinh Le Anh, head of the department of event management at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, says high-speed rail has been a major driver of tourism in countries like China, South Korea and Japan.

"France's TGV connects Paris with cities like Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux in just a few hours, boosting tourism within the country. Similarly, the Eurostar links London with Paris and Brussels, reducing travel time to just two-three hours and fostering cross-country tourism without relying on air travel."

A 2022 study by Chinese researchers found expanding high-speed rail systems could boost tourism revenues by 1.2% and traveler numbers by over 9%.

By the end of 2021 China's high-speed rail network spanned nearly 41,000 km, connecting 93% of cities with populations over 500,000 and serving as the primary mode of transport for tourists.

Japan's Shinkansen system has similarly improved connections between cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, while South Korea's KTX train system has reduced travel time between Seoul and Busan, making weekend getaways and short trips more feasible.

If Vietnam builds a high-speed rail, it can enhance connectivity between the capital and central provinces.

"Domestic tourism will become more convenient, much like how the French enjoy weekend trips between Paris and other cities," Anh says.

With its long coastline and numerous scenic spots, the north-south high-speed railway can persuade both domestic and international tourists to experience journeys between major cities and coastal destinations, he says.

In recent years rising airfares have driven many travelers to opt for trains, but the existing system struggles to meet the demand for long-distance, high-speed transportation, he says.

"High-speed rail could be a potential solution for improving transport quality and satisfying tourist demand if the project is properly funded and implemented."

He hopes the project will avoid delays, unlike other rail works, allowing Vietnam to fully tap its tourism potential.

Pham Anh Vu, deputy general director of Viet Travel Company, points out that Vietnamese travel companies prioritize high-speed trains in countries where they run due to their efficiency and the unique experience they offer.

They are also a "perfect replacement" in destinations with high domestic airfares such as China, he adds.

Nguyen Ngoc Tung, director of Danh Nam Travel, said high-speed trains also ease the pressure on road and air travel during peak periods.

His company plans to offer tours such as Hanoi–Ninh Binh and the Central Heritage route once the railroad becomes operational.

Vu adds: "Ticket prices will also be a key factor in ensuring the high-speed trains' popularity among both the tourism industry and society as a whole."