On its inaugural departure on February 2, 74-year-old Tran Xuan Binh boarded the train with his wife, Tran Thi Thuc, travelling from Ha Noi to Nghe An Province following his treatment at Ha Noi Medical University Hospital. Their son had booked the tickets in the hope of providing a more seamless journey for his parents. “I expected rail travel to be exhausting, but I never imagined it could feel this comfortable,” Binh remarked softly.
The carriage was immaculate, bathed in warm lighting, with staff meticulously attending to every detail. Thuc smiled as she observed her fellow passengers chatting whilst awaiting departure. “Seeing everyone so cheerful makes me happy too,” she said. For the elderly couple, the attentive hospitality transformed the trip into a cherished memory. “If we travel again, we shall certainly choose this train,” Binh declared with confidence.
In another carriage, To Thi Huong, 72, travelled alongside her husband, Tong Tran Tien, 76. The couple rarely venture far, and even more seldom by rail. This journey marked their return to Ha Tinh Province to reunite with family and grandchildren for the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival, following a surgical procedure in Ha Noi.
“It has been a long time since I felt this light-hearted.” For Huong, the joy was found not in the distance covered, but in being cared for like family. Tien recalled rail travel from decades past, when conditions were far more basic. “It is unrecognisable now. From the initial welcome to the smallest comforts, it puts elderly folk like us entirely at ease. It was truly touching to receive Tet gifts from the onboard staff as well,” he said, gesturing towards two gift bags resting by the carriage berth.
On the same service, 42-year-old Phung Thi Huong opted for the railway for the first time on her commute from Ha Noi to Dong Hoi (Quang Binh Province) for work. The tidy carriage, adorned in spring-themed colours, helped alleviate her end-of-year fatigue. The nearly 10-hour trip, she noted, was no longer a journey to be endured, but a rare opportunity for respite.
Meanwhile, Y Nhi, 30, from Quang Tri Province, boarded the southbound train for Tet with a sense of profound emotion. Nhi remarked that the vibrantly painted exterior, featuring the national flag and motifs representing various regions, sparked a sense of pride. “It feels as though I am traversing the entire country with this train,” she said, viewing the journey as a gentle, hopeful new beginning for 2026.
Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang, an onboard service attendant, regarded the launch of the “Happiness Train” as a career milestone. “I feel deeply honoured to serve on this inaugural service. Ensuring safe operations and seeing satisfied passengers is our greatest reward,” she shared.
The voyage of these passengers on the “Happiness Train” offered more than just transport; it provided a cultural experience rooted in human values, where happiness is found in the simplest gestures.
For the railway industry, the train represents a concerted effort to revitalise the image of rail travel in modern life, bridging heritage and history with contemporary experiences. When passengers feel truly valued, the journey becomes a fond memory, fostering trust in public services and social responsibility.
Discussing the programme’s vision, Le Quoc Minh, member of the Party Central Committee (PCC) and Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, explained that the “Happiness Train” concept stems from a desire to manifest the newspaper’s core values—the wellbeing of the people—through an accessible, everyday medium.
According to Minh, who also serves as Deputy Head of the PCC Commission for Communication, Education, and Mass Mobilisation and Chairman of the Viet Nam Journalists Association, the train serves as a platform to promote Viet Nam’s image both at home and abroad through traditional cultural and culinary activities. Partnering with a railway sector currently undergoing a major transformation has brought this vision to life.
Unless you are travelling for urgent business or need to fly, I encourage you to board the ‘Happiness Train’ at least once to experience the evolution of Viet Nam’s railways.
Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper Le Quoc Minh
Minh noted that the launch of the “Happiness Train” celebrates the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the success of the 14th National Party Congress, and the 2026 Lunar New Year. “Unless you are travelling for urgent business or need to fly, I encourage you to board the ‘Happiness Train’ at least once to experience the evolution of Viet Nam’s railways,” he said.
Dang Sy Manh, Chairman of the Members’ Council of Viet Nam Railways Corporation, affirmed that the train serves as a profound symbol of humanity. He added that 2026 is a pivotal milestone for the industry, marking 145 years since its inception and 85 years of established tradition. The railways possess a rich legacy of stations, routes, and iconic passes that offer immense value to the nation.
Manh also highlighted two strategic objectives for the industry in the coming years: ensuring safe, efficient operations on existing lines to meet high growth targets, while preparing to manage and operate new high-speed lines. These tasks require seamless coordination between various agencies and organisations.
As the “Happiness Train” pulled out of the station, more than 300 passengers embarked on their journey across the country. The trip eventually reached its destination, but it opened a fresh perspective on rail travel. In its wake, a sense of care, shared experience, and peace of mind remains. Sometimes, such simple experiences are all it takes to prove that a train can carry genuine joy into everyday life.
