Two steam locomotives dating back to the 1960s are being refurbished in Vietnam and will start running on a new heritage tourism experience by 2025. The pre-industrial trains are being reintroduced for the Revolution Express, after Indochina Rail Tourist Service joint stock company and Wafaifo Optimisers have signed a management agreement for Wafaifo Optimisers to manage the steam trains.
The two locomotives are the last remaining working steam ones in the country, both built locally in Vietnam, based on the French Mikado design. The restoration process took several years, using original parts and utilising the skills of the last remaining steam engineers working for Vietnam Railways.
The Revolution Express will make a return trip between Danang city and the former royal capital of Hue each day on two fully appointed retro-styled carriages that can seat up to 57 passengers each, as well as a custom-made kitchen carriage and a baggage carriage. Each journey will traverse the scenically Hai Van coastal mountain range and stop at Lang Co adjacent to a lagoon and beach destination.
We are proud to bring these old dames of rail back to life and to showcase important periods in Vietnamese history from imperial through colonial rule and finally the struggle to independence.
Michael Gebbie, Indochina Rail Chairman
“We seek to give visitors an interactive sense of Vietnam’s history and future”, said Michael Gebbie, Indochina Rail’s Chairman. “Whether you enjoy learning about history or trains, or just want to ride an authentic heritage steam train over the famously scenic Hai Van Pass, the Revolution Express will offer a magical experience for young and old alike.”
Highlights of the tourist experience will include themed dining at the three railway stations on the route: Kim Lien (Danang), Lang Co and Hue. Each station will have its own menus and entertainment schedules to meet the arrival of the Revolution Express. The train stations are being designed to also attract other road and VNR (Vietnam National Rail) passengers travelling between Danang, Lang Co and Hue on the scenic coastal route.
Onboard, passengers will be served by employees in periodic costumes and will be able to choose from a selection of light food and drinks. Moreover, when the Revolution Express will arrive at the three stations, a brass band in army regalia will greet disembarking guests.
In Hue, the original train maintenance building is being refurbished as the Station Restaurant. The venue is being themed in an imperial manner befitting the history of Hue, the last bastion of the dynastic era in Vietnam. In Lang Co, the restaurant will be themed to mark the independence of Vietnam. Apart from a full restaurant offering, food carts will be on the station platform offering homemade ice cream, freshly squeezed fruit juices, Vietnamese coffee and fresh pressed sugar cane. The third restaurant, at the station on the outskirts of Danang, has not yet been confirmed. If built, it would be themed in a colonial manner to reflect a different era in Vietnam’s national journey.
