From today (June 26, 2026), the railway industry officially operates the PL1/PL2 specialized train pair to transport medical staff, officials and employees of Bach Mai Hospital to move between the Hanoi facility and the Ninh Binh facility (old Phu Ly city area).
Bach Mai Hospital, Ninh Binh facility, with a scale of 1,000 beds, is expected to contribute to fundamentally solving the overload situation at the main facility in Hanoi, while bringing high-tech medical services closer to people in the Southern Red River Delta region. However, the coordination of nearly 1,300 medical staff working in rotation between the two facilities poses a major requirement for transport infrastructure connecting Hanoi and Ninh Binh.
Vietnam Railways Corporation coordinates with Bach Mai Hospital to develop a plan to operate specialized train pairs PL1/PL2 on the Hanoi station - Phu Ly station and vice versa.
Trains operate from Monday to Friday every week. In the departure, train PL1 departs from Hanoi station at 6:15 am, arrives at Phu Ly station at 7:22 am. In the return, train PL2 leaves Phu Ly station at 5:20 pm and arrives at Hanoi station at 6:30 pm. Both trips stop to pick up and drop off passengers at Giap Bat station.
To meet the daily travel needs of more than 500 officials and medical staff of Bach Mai Hospital, the railway industry arranges a train consisting of 9 soft seated carriages, equipped with air conditioning systems and utilities and services on the train, ensuring rest space for the medical team throughout the journey.
In particular, Ninh Binh province has arranged shuttle buses at Phu Ly station to pick up and drop off medical staff between the station and Bach Mai Hospital in Ninh Binh, forming a closed, convenient and safe travel process.
In the initial operation phase, stations on the route will increase personnel to support passenger traffic diversion, ensure safety and save travel time, creating favorable conditions for the professional work of doctors and nurses at the Ninh Binh facility.
Previously, in September 2025, the railway industry put into operation the HP15/HP16 pair of trains to serve officials and civil servants of Hai Phong City going to work. After 9 months of operation connecting the West bank and East bank areas of the city, the pair of trains has become a familiar means of transportation for many officials and civil servants. To date, nearly 400 train trips have been safely organized, transporting more than 170,000 passengers with a seat occupancy rate of over 90%.
After the success of the "official train" model in Hai Phong, the railway industry continues to replicate this transport solution by putting into operation the PL1/PL2 pair of trains. The model is assessed to promote the advantages of railway transport, not only serving social security but also contributing to reducing traffic congestion pressure during peak hours in major cities.
The appearance of train pairs HP15/HP16 and PL1/PL2 shows a change in the market approach thinking of the railway industry. Instead of passively waiting for passengers to arrive at the station, the railway industry has proactively cooperated with agencies and units to build specialized journeys suitable to practical needs.
