The launch coincided with celebrations marking the 195th anniversary of Thai Nguyen Province's establishment and the opening of the 2026 Thai Nguyen International Tea Festival.
Nearly 100 guests joined the inaugural journey, including spouses of ambassadors and heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Vietnam, Foreign Ministry representatives and tourists.
Thai Nguyen People's Committee Chairman Nguyen The Manh and provincial officials welcomed the delegation at Hanoi Railway Station and accompanied them on the journey.
During the journey from Hanoi Railway Station to Luu Xa Station in Thai Nguyen, passengers can enjoy traditional tea, local cuisine, Then singing and performances on the Tinh, a traditional stringed instrument.
In Thai Nguyen, visitors can explore the Tan Cuong tea-growing region, Thai Hai Ecological Stilt House Village, the Museum of Cultures of Vietnam's Ethnic Groups and an exhibition marking the province's 195th anniversary.
The itinerary also includes domestic and international tea displays and activities associated with the Thai Nguyen International Tea Festival.
The heritage train operates two daily services during the launch period, departing Hanoi at 6.20 am and returning from Thai Nguyen at 5.10 pm.
Six services are scheduled on October 30-31, November 1 and November 5-7 during the festival period. Afterwards, the service is expected to operate twice weekly at weekends.
According to the Thai Nguyen Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the service was developed through cooperation between Vietnam Railways and the Thai Nguyen authorities under a memorandum of understanding on railway tourism development for the 2026-2030 period.
The proposed route runs from Hanoi through Gia Lam, Dong Anh and Pho Yen to Luu Xa, with connections to major tourist attractions across Thai Nguyen.
The province plans to introduce several travel packages, including a one-day tour titled A Day in Thai Nguyen, a two-day, one-night experience called A Night in Tea Country, and longer tours under the theme Discover Tea Country.
These packages will link destinations such as Tan Cuong tea plantations, Thai Hai Ecological Stilt House Village, the Museum of Cultures of Vietnam's Ethnic Groups, Nui Coc Lake, Ba Be Lake and the Dinh Hoa revolutionary historical site.
The initiative aims to promote railway tourism, showcase Thai Nguyen's tea culture and encourage visitors to explore the province's cultural and natural attractions.