"Getting into the taxi, looking at the empty cockpit, without a driver, I started to feel nervous. I became more tense and my heart skipped a beat every time the car was about to reach an intersection.

The thought crossed my mind, could it be that the car couldn't stop at the red light in time and crashed into the middle of the intersection full of other vehicles?" said Doan Phuoc Truong (HCMC).

Video of the driverless car ride Mr. Truong experienced in Wuhan

Last November, Mr. Truong had a trip to explore Wuhan City (Hubei, China). Although he had been to China many times, this was the first time Mr. Truong visited this city.

"I planned to go to Wuhan in 2019, but the Covid-19 epidemic suddenly appeared and broke out strongly, all flights were temporarily suspended. Until now, when mentioning Wuhan, many people are still hesitant.

However, I still dreamed of coming here, admiring the scenery in Wuhan and the rapid changes of the high-tech city after the pandemic. In mid-November, the flight route from Ho Chi Minh City to Wuhan reopened, I immediately set off," Mr. Truong shared.

During his trip to Wuhan, Mr. Truong visited many famous destinations here such as the Yellow Crane Tower (Hoang Hac Lau), Dong Ho Park, Linh Son Mountain, Wuhan University...

In particular, he experienced the upside-down train and the city's driverless taxi system. He called it a "heart-stopping ride" and "a surreal experience like something out of a science fiction movie."

Mr. Truong experiences the upside-down train ride. Photo: NVCC

The upside-down railway in Wuhan offers visitors an exciting experience with advanced technology and 270-degree views. Unlike conventional railways, the tracks are located on the roof of the train cars.

From below, the train appears to be suspended high in the air.

Male tourist experiences upside down suspension train

The railway line has a total length of about 26km, the first phase of construction is 10.5km long with 6 stations. The train has 2 cars with a capacity of 220 passengers, speed of 60km/h.

The train operates fully automatically, has both travel and sightseeing functions thanks to its design with a glass floor underneath and transparent windows around, opening up a 270-degree view.

"I was surprised, even quite stunned, when this glass-bottomed train could hold hundreds of passengers. Seeing the high heels of tourists hitting the floor gave me goosebumps.

I feel like I'm on a ship of the future, only seen in science fiction movies," Mr. Truong shared.

Wuhan
Glass floor panels are designed for passengers to enjoy the view below. Photo: NVCC

The train operates from 8am to 8pm every day and there is a trip every 10 minutes.

Mr. Truong said that the entire operation process, including scanning QR codes to buy tickets, opening doors, starting, running and stopping, is completely automatic, with humans only intervening in emergencies.

"From the train, I can admire the flower fields, lakes, swamps, ecological areas, residential areas, streets... from the glass floor. This perspective is really new and attractive," said Mr. Truong.

The ticket price is 30 yuan (about 104,000 VND) for one ride (excluding the number of stations). According to the male tourist, this ticket price is quite expensive compared to other means of public transport in the city.

Wuhan
The ticket price for the upside-down suspension train experience is 30 yuan (about 104,000 VND) for one ride on and off the train. Photo: NVCC

In addition to the upside-down train, Mr. Truong also experienced a driverless taxi in Wuhan. "Currently, to book this vehicle, passengers must be phone subscribers, use an online application to register the pick-up point, destination, and pay.

I and another guest went with a local guide. This person booked the car directly. Once the booking is successful, the passenger will receive a QR code and the car's license plate number.

The car arrives to pick up the passenger, scans the QR code, if it matches the code on the car, the door will automatically open. Note that the door will only open for exactly 3 minutes and then automatically close," said Mr. Truong.

Wuhan
The fare for a driverless taxi in Wuhan (currently under trial operation) is 4 yuan/km (about 14,000 VND), while a taxi with a driver is about 18 yuan/km (63,000 VND). Photo: NVCC

These cars tend to brake more often than taxis with drivers, especially when traffic lights change or other vehicles move in their lane. They maintain a fairly steady speed, without cutting off other vehicles.

"I see this type of service being enthusiastically received in Wuhan. However, this service is not yet popular with tourists because they often do not have their own phone number or bank account in China...

In addition, the car will follow a route from the pick-up point to the destination without stopping. Passengers cannot open the door themselves if they need to. Overall, this is a new experience, but I am still scared," said Mr. Truong.

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