The year 2026 marks several significant milestones for Viet Nam's railway sector: the 80th anniversary of Viet Nam railways' traditional day, the 145th anniversary of the establishment of Viet Nam's railway system, the 125th anniversary of the Hai Phong–Kunming Railway (1901–2026), and the 120th anniversary of the first train operating on the railway lines in Lao Cai. These anniversaries provide an opportunity to reflect on the railway's history, honor generations of railway workers, and look toward its future development.

A cultural performance celebrates the opening ceremony.

Within Viet Nam's railway network, the Hai Phong–Lao Cai railway is one of the country's earliest railway lines and has played a vital role in freight transport, passenger services, and international trade. Along the Hai Phong–Kunming transport corridor, Lao Cai station serves both as the terminal station of the railway within Vietnam and as the international border station connecting railway transportation and exchanges between Vietnam and China.

Over more than a century, the railway's significance has extended far beyond transportation. It has facilitated the movement of goods, expanded markets, encouraged population mobility, and contributed to the development of railway stations, station towns, and economic centers along the route. Trains have also carried knowledge, lifestyles, and social connections, fostering cultural exchange among different regions and communities.

Leaders cut the ribbon to officially open the exhibition.

The exhibition not only recounts the history of a railway line but also highlights the many layers of value that have accumulated over more than a century. These include historical value, engineering and industrial heritage value, economic, urban, and spatial value, social, cultural, and memorial value. 

The railway also possesses significant landscape and regional connectivity value. The journey from the seaport to the border passes through diverse natural, historical, and cultural landscapes, forming a heritage corridor capable of connecting localities, destinations, and communities through a shared historical narrative.

Through photographs, archival materials, artifacts, and personal stories, the exhibition offers visitors a deeper understanding of the railway's role and its multifaceted significance. It aims to foster public pride, encourage heritage preservation, and inspire new approaches to conserving and promoting this unique cultural and historical resource.

Delegates tour the exhibition.

On this occasion, the organizers also launched a campaign to receive donations of artifacts, documents, and historical materials for the Viet Nam Railways Corporation's Traditional House. Delegates participated in the seminar “Memories on the Railways,” where former railway employees and guests shared personal stories and memories of working on Vietnam's railways, paying tribute to generations of railway workers who devoted their strength, intellect, and youth to building and operating the nation's railway network.

The exhibition “From seaport to border – a century on the railways” is expected to become a meaningful cultural destination at Lao Cai Railway Station, contributing to heritage education, enriching the experiences of passengers and tourists, and creating new opportunities for cooperation in preserving and promoting Vietnam's railway heritage.