The international passenger rail route connecting Vietnam and China has served more than 31,700 passengers from over 50 countries and territories since it resumed operations a year ago, reflecting a strong rebound in cross-border travel demand after the pandemic.

The Vietnam-China international passenger train service.

​The passenger service between Hanoi and Nanning, capital of China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, restarted on May 25, 2025 after a five-year suspension caused by Covid-19 restrictions.

Under the current schedule, train T8701/MR2 departs Nanning for Hanoi each evening, while train MR1/T8702 leaves Hanoi’s Gia Lam station overnight for China.

The rail route has served not only as a key transport link but also as a channel for cultural exchange and closer people-to-people connections between countries.

Irish tourist Grainne, who recently travelled to Vietnam by train for the first time, said rail journeys offered passengers more freedom to move around and enjoy the scenery, making the experience increasingly appealing to international travellers.

To improve services for foreign passengers, operators have introduced multilingual attendants fluent in Vietnamese, Chinese and English, along with smart translation devices capable of supporting more than 70 languages in real time.

The upgraded onboard services are expected to further boost tourism and trade exchanges between Vietnam and China while enhancing the convenience of cross-border rail travel for international visitors.

Vietnam, China sign cooperation agreement on planning two railways

Regarding the Hanoi – Dong Dang and Hai Phong – Ha Long – Mong Cai projects, the Chinese side said it will follow the model of the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong line, while ensuring quality and progress with the highest level of responsibility.

 

Construction of Hanoi – Quang Ninh high-speed railway set to kick off on April 12

A groundbreaking ceremony for the strategically significant Hanoi–Quang Ninh high-speed railway project will take place on April 12 at the Ha Long Xanh Station site in Quang Ninh province.

 

PM demands swift removal of hurdles in key railway projects

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged faster implementation of a series of key railway projects, including the North–South high-speed railway, the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong line, planning for the Hanoi–Lang Son and Hai Phong–Mong Cai routes, and urban railway systems in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

 

PM pushes for overhaul as 2026 marks railway sector‘s anniversary

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed that railway projects must follow the principle of digitalistion, green transition, efficiency optimisation, smart governance, and balanced interests among the State, citizens and businesses.

 

​PM requests planning railway sector with over-100-year vision

The PM urged authorities to speed up the drafting of the railway development master plan with a vision spanning over 100 years, and this strategic planning must eliminate the waste of time, effort, capital, and land.

 

Ministry proposes restructuring VNR into national railway group

The Ministry of Finance said that the overhaul is driven by new mandates assigned by the National Assembly, the Government, and the Prime Minister, including resolutions on investment policy for the North-South high-speed railway and Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong line, which requires urgent restructuring in capital raising, human resources, and organisational model.