Vietnam is now  one of the  very well off countries in SE Asia but corrupt commie govt has not improved the railway system  linking   the  north to south. I guess they wanted to maintain the allure of the past to draw in tourists who wanted the feel of it...  The fact the rail network was the most heavily targeted infrastructure during the war,  it  has very historical implications.  Viet Communist  are smart  as chinese  in terms of business outlook.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMIkh0qBsBU