China, Vietnam passenger train resumes after 5 years

China, Vietnam passenger train resumes after 5 years marking the revival of international travel between two countries.

A passenger train, T8701, departed from Nanning in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for Hanoi, Vietnam, at 6:05 p.m. on Sunday, officially marking the revival of international rail service between China and Vietnam after a five-year break.

The Nanning-Hanoi international passenger train will now operate daily. It leaves Nanning at 6:05 p.m. and reaches Hanoi at 6:30 a.m. the next morning. In the reverse direction, the train departs Hanoi at 10:20 p.m. and arrives in Nanning by 10:06 a.m. the following day.

Currently, train tickets can only be purchased in person at select railway stations — Guilin, Nanning, Chongzuo, and Pingxiang — using a valid passport. Passengers are also required to arrange a physical visa or carry valid visa-exempt documents and must complete immigration formalities at designated border crossings.