Vietnam-China international passenger train service resumes 

THE HANOI TIMES — The international passenger train service connecting Vietnam's Hanoi and China's Nanning will officially resume operations on May 25 after a five-year interruption.

According to Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR), the daily international transit trains MR1 and MR2 are scheduled between Gia Lam Station in Hanoi, Vietnam, and Nanning Station in Nanning, China. Train MR1 departs Gia Lam Station at 9:20 PM and arrives in Nanning Station at 10:06 AM the following morning. The return train, MR2, departs from Nanning at 6:05 PM, arriving in Gia Lam at 5:30 AM the next day. Passengers will complete streamlined immigration procedures at Dong Dang Station in Vietnam and Bang Tuong Station in Guangxi, China.

An additional direct train service between Hanoi and Beijing, China, is scheduled to begin on May 27. Departing from Gia Lam Station at 9:20 PM every Tuesday and Friday, the train will arrive at Beijing West Station on Thursday and Sunday mornings, respectively. Passengers can also continue their journey to other countries via China’s extensive international railway network.

Tickets for the Hanoi-Nanning route cost VND1 million (US$38) and VND9.3 million ($358) for the Hanoi-Beijing route. The Vietnam Railway Corporation offers attractive incentives, such as free travel for children under four, a 50% discount for children aged 4 to 12, and a 25% discount for groups of six or more. Tickets are available at Hanoi, Gia Lam, Bac Giang, and Dong Dang stations.

The resumption of this rail connection offers tourists an efficient travel option with spectacular scenery, fostering greater people-to-people connections and cultural understanding. Nanning, the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and a major source of tourists to Vietnam, is now more accessible.

Zhang Zhen Yu, a representative from the Nanning City Department of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism in China, highlighted that Hanoi is a preferred tourist destination for travelers from Nanning. Meanwhile, Vietnam is Nanning City's largest and most important source of international tourists. The renewed railway service complements the existing direct flights and bus routes that connect major tourist destinations: Nanning–Pingxiang–Hanoi and Nanning–Dongxing–Halong Bay.

The journey promises travelers not only convenience but also an enriching cultural experience. The route from Hanoi to Nanning invites exploration of picturesque destinations, such as the historic Taiping Ancient Town in Chongzuo City and the lush landscapes of Nanning. Direct rail access is expected to significantly increase tourist exchanges between Vietnam and China, offering travelers the heritage and natural beauty of both countries.