During the 30-minute journey, passengers will pass by the hundred-year-old Long Bien Railway Station and the iconic Long Bien Bridge. From the Gia Lam Station, they can continue their journey back to the past by visiting the nearby Gia Lam Train Factory to contemplate old French-style buildings and the Tu Luc locomotive – a symbol of the Vietnam railway.
Manufactured circa 1965 by engineers of the Gia Lam Train Factory, the locomotive transported goods, foodstuff, weapons and soldiers to support the nation’s resistance war against the Americans.
“After the festival, we will evaluate the interest of tourists as well as the effectiveness of this route in attracting tourists and reviving Ha Noi’s heritage, from which we will have proposals to operate this experience tour regularly,” said Deputy General Director of Vietnam Railway Hoang Nang Khang.
The old factory transformed into an art complex
An old factory that is scheduled to be relocated out of the inner city, Gia Lam Train Factory has been transformed into an art complex, aiming to ‘awaken’ heritage to create new and creative values for the capital city.
The once-abandoned factory now is a major venue hosting a feast of art and music performances during the festival.
A number of exhibitions that blend visual splendours and unique installation artworks will take place at different workshops and warehouses in the factory.
Inspired by Mother Nature, the Tieng Goi (The Call) installation exhibition by artist Thu Tran presents more than 40 silk paintings. Besides, an installation using more than 2,000 metres of silk and cotton fabric has conveyed the message “Be grateful and cherish and preserve what Mother Nature has created for us”. The exhibition is at the factory’s Workshop 3B1.
The factory’s Power Station 33B hosts the exhibition Qua Ap (Overvoltage) by artists Vy Trinh and Van Do. The display showcases installations created from materials associated with the railway industry that were collected in the factory and neighbouring areas.
Artist Trinh Minh Tien unveils his artworks made from an old bonnet and car outer panels at his exhibition Thuy Phu (Water World), while sculptor Nguyen Manh Hung depicts the life of ants through his creative works.
A rock concert featuring a lineup of Vietnam’s favourite bands such as Khat, Thuy Trieu Do, Gas Station and Purple Blues will take place on an outdoor stage at the factory’s main yard tomorrow.
The ‘King Royal Pride 2023’ will gather graffiti artists who have been creating works on the walls of abandoned workshops in the factory. A performance combining graffiti and EDM (electronic dance music) will be held on November 24.
Viet Nam News
Asia News Network