Lean Rider (left), an American tourist, visits Vietnam to see his son Dan (right), who works in Hanoi. He stated that he loves Vietnamese pho and found this new tour interesting, enjoying a meal inside a recreated tram car.

The first visitors participated in the "Hanoi - Touching Memories" tour, launched on 27/12 by the Hanoi Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Ba Dinh ward People's Committee.

The journey takes visitors on a walking tour through 9 heritage stops. Guests begin at the national special relic Den Quan Thanh, proceed to Den Thuy Trung Tien, and then visit 5 two-story tram cars named Pho - Bun - Soi; Cafe - Ca phe - Coffee; Bep - Chan - Mam; Lua - Thoc - Gao; Tra and Bat Nha Pleasures; a typical subsidy-era apartment; and conclude at the Traditional Bronze Casting Exhibition House.

The tour is designed as a closed loop around Truc Bach Lake and the Ngoc Xa islet area.

At Den Quan Thanh, visitors watch a documentary explaining the significance of the stele depicting American naval major John Sidney McCain kneeling with his hands raised in surrender. The stele is located between Den Quan Thanh and Thuy Trung Tien. McCain was the pilot of an A4 aircraft shot down by the capital's military and people at the Yen Phu power plant on 26/10/1967.

Wooden tables and chairs, traditional tea, and peanut candy are interspersed between the tram cars as rest stops, offering visitors a glimpse into the daily life of Hanoians of yesteryear.

Den Thuy Trung Tien, the next destination, is situated on a small island northwest of Truc Bach Lake. The temple, also known as Cau Nhi, was built during the Ly dynasty and is associated with the spiritual culture of dog worship among Vietnamese people.

In the late Le dynasty, the temple was renamed Thuy Trung Tien, meaning "fairy in the water." It was recognized as a City-level scenic relic in 2017, part of the Ho Tay - Truc Bach Lake scenic complex, where people often come to pray for health, luck, and peace.

A recreated Hanoi wedding scene from the subsidy era (1976-1986), featuring a peacock-patterned tablecloth and betel and areca trays for the engagement ceremony. White gladiolus wedding bouquets were a popular trend among brides of that era.

The "Pho - Bun - Soi" tram car has two stories, with chefs preparing pho on the first floor and serving tourists on the upper floor.

Beyond tasting, visitors learn about the history of pho noodles, bun, vermicelli, and banh da, along with the regional differences of these dishes.

On the Truc Bach walking street, Ngoc Xa islet, visitors can check in at a retro tailor shop, prominently decorated with hundreds of colorful spools of thread.

The "Cafe - Ca phe - Coffee" tram car invites visitors to explore the world of Vietnamese coffee, from its origins to its distinct bean varieties.

Guests gain insight into coffee extraction methods, both traditional and modern, and can try their hand at making Hanoi's famous egg coffee.

Dan Rider expressed his love for "Vietnamese coffee" but noted he only drinks it before lunch if he wants to sleep well at night, as Hanoi coffee is strong.

Judy, from Taiwan, enjoys tea in the "Tra and Bat Nha Pleasures" tram car, which highlights the traditional pastimes of Kinh Ky poets (zither, chess, poetry, painting, calligraphy, wine, flowers, tea).

She commented that Vietnamese tea is delicious and was surprised to learn that the tea she was drinking came from ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees.

"If Vietnamese tea were combined with Taiwanese tea brewing techniques, I believe the resulting product would be even better," Judy said.

The "Bep - Chan - Mam" tram car showcases cuisine and unique economic activities from the subsidy era. Visitors can experience a meal from the 1970s-1980s, including fried tofu with spring onions, eggs, and boiled mustard greens with chili fish sauce.

The "Hanoi - Touching Memories" tour costs from a few hundred thousand to over one million VND, depending on the chosen itinerary.

The itineraries include: Leng Keng Heritage (3-4 hours, 650,000 VND per person); Leng Keng to the Land of Memories (2,5 hours, 240,000 VND per person); and Heritage Road (3-4 hours, 750,000 VND per person). A special tour lasts 6 hours and costs over one million VND.

The "Hanoi - Touching Memories" tour is part of the "Tram Line 6" project, a prominent tourism product for Hanoi aimed at preserving and promoting the capital's cultural and historical values.

Inspired by the tram system, a familiar mode of transport in Hanoi during the 1901-1991 period, Tram Line 6 has become a living memory and heritage, a "street museum" in the heart of the city, according to Vice Chairman Nguyen Dan Huy.

Visitors watch a hau dong performance at Den Thuy Trung Tien.

In addition to the tour's destinations, visitors can explore Chau Long traditional market, Chau Long Pagoda, Than Quang Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and the Ngoc Xa islet night food area.

In 2025, Hanoi expects to welcome over 33,7 million tourists, a 20,8% increase compared to 2024. Of these, an estimated over 7,82 million will be international visitors, up 22,7% from 2024. Total tourism revenue is projected to reach over 134,4 trillion VND, a 21,5% increase from last year.

Phuong Anh

Photos: Tung Dinh