The number of passengers on the Vietnam–China international train has climbed steadily since services resumed on May 25, with more than 8,000 travellers so far, highlighting the line's role in promoting mobility, economic cooperation, trade and cultural exchange between the two neighbouring countries.

Goods are assembled at Nanning International Railway Port in Guangxi before being transported to Vietnam via the Vietnam–China international train.

In August, nearly 2,700 passengers travelled on the Vietnam-China railway line, up 89% from the previous month.

Vietnam and China share close geographical and cultural ties, with cross-border exchanges between their people becoming increasingly frequent in recent years.

In late May, the railways restarted the international passenger service linking Nanning in China with Gia Lam in Hanoi.

The overnight train, equipped with soft sleeper carriages, allows passengers to save on accommodation and reduce travel time, making it especially convenient for both business and leisure travellers.

For Chinese entrepreneur Zong Jianhui, who regularly visits partners in Vietnam, the service is his preferred option. “If I travel during the day, I lose valuable working hours. With the overnight train, I arrive in the morning and can start work immediately. It’s very convenient,” he said.

Vietnamese students studying in China, particularly in Guangxi, have also found the service practical and economical. Nguyen Phan Nhan Tran, a Vietnamese student at Guangxi University, noted, “Travelling by train is very convenient. It only takes one night to get from Hanoi to Nanning, and the ticket price is very affordable.”

The rail service also supports trade and tourism. In the first eight months of this year, cross-border trains from Guangxi transported 24,000 standard export containers, a year-on-year increase of 179%.

Over 20,000 tonnes of fruits from ASEAN countries, including durian, mangosteen and jackfruit, were imported via the Pingxiang rail port, feeding the Chinese domestic market.

To improve service, the China Railway Nanning Bureau Group Co., Ltd introduced bilingual Chinese–Vietnamese announcements on board and organised intensive training in passenger service, as well as Vietnamese and English for its staff.

Train crews are now proficient in both languages and familiar with the customs of both countries, acting as “cultural ambassadors” along the route.

According to Lan Qiushuang, head conductor of the international passenger train, demand has grown steadily since the service was reinstated.

Most passengers are travelling for business, tourism or study, with large numbers from both China and Vietnam, alongside travellers from more than 30 other countries, including Myanmar, Thailand and Italy. The train has become a bridge for friendship and exchange between China, Vietnam and beyond.

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