On social media, posts about the “very Hanoi” ticket for the Nhơn – Hanoi Station metro have become a viral trend. The ticket is round in shape and features an image of Khuê Văn Các.
Nhơn – Hanoi Station Metro Ticket Takes Social Media by Storm
Hearing that the elevated urban railway line Nhơn – Hanoi Station began commercial operation on August 8, Đức Anh (29 years old, from Cầu Giấy District) arrived at the station early in the morning.
After waiting in line, he was surprised to receive a black round ticket printed with the image of Khuê Văn Các, which is different from the usual rectangular paper or plastic tickets.
“The ticket looks like a cookie; its simple design is very Hanoi,” he said.
When passing through the ticket gate, Đức Anh and other passengers used the ticket to scan and open the gate. Upon exiting, they inserted it into the ticket validation machine to open the door. The ticket is only valid for 20 minutes after purchase; if passengers do not board the train, they must go to the ticket counter to update it.
The train ticket featuring Khuê Văn Các – a symbol of Hanoi (Photo: Provided by the subject).
After work, Nguyễn Minh (35 years old, from Hà Đông District) took the opportunity to experience the Nhơn – Hanoi Station train. What impressed him most was the unique round ticket design, which is different from the rectangular tickets of the Cát Linh – Hà Đông line he usually takes.
“The ticket is an upgrade from traditional paper tickets, preventing it from getting wrinkled. However, its small size makes it easy to lose during travel, especially for the elderly and children. I had to put it straight into my wallet after boarding the train,” the office worker remarked.
Later in the afternoon, Trần Anh Đạt, a 20-year-old third-year student at Hanoi University of Industry, invited four friends to walk to Nhơn Station to take the train and take photos with the unique ticket. The student commented that the ticket’s design is interesting and carries the unique characteristics of the capital.
“The ticket is delicate and compact while embodying the soul of Hanoi with the image of Khuê Văn Các. It truly leaves a remarkable impression. I think other public transport systems should consider making a switch,” Đạt said.
Đạt’s group (in the middle) holding the trending train ticket from social media in recent days (Photo: Provided by the subject).
On social media, posts about the “very Hanoi” ticket for the Nhơn – Hanoi Station metro have become a viral trend. Many young people are taking check-in photos with the ticket, encouraging others to experience the train service.
According to the Hanoi Urban Railway Management Board, the ticket for the Nhơn – Hanoi Station railway is used in the form of a token, designed in a round shape, featuring the image of Khuê Văn Các – a symbol of Hanoi.
The token is black to avoid reflections that could affect the reading ability of the TVM (automated ticket vending machine) or gates.
A representative from the Traffic Management and Operation Center of Hanoi, under the Hanoi Department of Transport, stated that the basic technical requirement for the token is simply a round shape in a dark color, while the image on the token will be designed and researched by the center.
“Hanoi’s policy allows children under six years old traveling with adults to ride for free, so there’s no worry about losing tickets,” the representative said.
Passengers enjoying the modern electronic ticket (Photo: Thành Đông).
According to quick statistics from Hanoi Metro, the Nhơn – Hanoi Station line welcomed over 34,000 passengers on its first day of operation.
In addition to the number of locals coming to experience it, many workers and students have already used this transport for their commutes.
This is not the first time Hanoi has introduced an electronic round ticket featuring Khuê Văn Các.
In November 2023, Hanoi piloted an integrated multi-modal electronic ticket system for public transport, used across 13 regular bus routes and the BRT rapid bus line.
Accordingly, the electronic token ticket, either white or blue, features Khuê Văn Các. When boarding, passengers just need to present the electronic ticket to the card reader on the bus to complete the payment. The electronic ticket will be collected at the exit doors.
BRT bus token in round blue shape, featuring Khuê Văn Các (Photo: Minh Nhân).
Khuê Văn Các – A Symbol of Hanoi
Khuê Văn Các was built in 1805 and is one of the five gates that divide the inner area of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám into five different spatial layers. The Khuê Văn Các gate belongs to the second spatial layer – Thành Đạt area, situated between the Đại Trung and Đại Thành gates.
Located within the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám heritage complex, it symbolizes the development of Vietnamese culture. Historically, Khuê Văn was a place for gathering and reviewing outstanding literary works from candidates who passed the royal exams.
The highlight of the ancient architecture lies in the central pavilion, with circular openings on all four walls, and eight wooden beams extending outward.
Symbolically, this represents the Khuê star sparkling in the sky with rays of light radiating outward, implying the concentration of the essence of heaven and earth around human learning…
Khuê Văn Các – A Symbol of Hanoi (Photo: Hữu Nghị).
The Khuê Văn Các structure is an octagonal pavilion with eight roofs, consisting of four upper and four lower roofs, built on a square foundation made of Bát Tràng bricks, elevated about 1 meter above the ground. The upper level is a two-story wooden structure, with a roof also composed of two levels and covered with cylindrical tiles.
The four sides of the pavilion are adorned with intricately carved wooden eaves, surrounded by balustrades. Each side of the pavilion features a circular window, with wooden beams radiating outward, symbolizing the rays of the Khuê star.
With profound thoughts and philosophies, honoring the traditional scholarly spirit of the Vietnamese people, Khuê Văn Các is regarded as a representation of Vietnam’s cultural heritage. In 1999, Khuê Văn Các was officially chosen as the symbol of Hanoi.
