Sunday, May 25, 2025
After a five-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the vital passenger rail service connecting Vietnam and China has officially resumed operations.
This much-anticipated restart signals a renewed chapter of connectivity between two of Southeast Asia’s most important economic and cultural partners.
The revived railway line between Hanoi and Nanning not only re-establishes a crucial transportation link but also underscores growing efforts by both governments to facilitate safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable cross-border travel.
Background: The Impact of COVID-19 on Cross-Border Transport
The Vietnam-China passenger rail service had been halted since early 2020 as part of broader travel restrictions and border closures implemented worldwide to contain the spread of COVID-19.
This suspension affected not only tourism but also the cross-border movement of people engaged in business, trade, and cultural exchange.
The prolonged hiatus created logistical challenges for travelers and disrupted economic ties between the two nations.
As global health situations have stabilized, and vaccination efforts have advanced, both the Vietnamese and Chinese governments have prioritized reopening critical transportation links to revive bilateral cooperation.
According to the Ministry of Transport of Vietnam (MOT Vietnam) and China’s Ministry of Transport (MOT China), resuming the passenger rail service aligns with their shared goals of regional integration, sustainable development, and enhancing connectivity within the Greater Mekong Subregion and beyond.
The Service: Trains MR1 and MR2 Reconnect Hanoi and Nanning
The renewed passenger rail service operates with two dedicated daily trains — MR1 and MR2 — which link Hanoi’s Gia Lam Railway Station in Vietnam and Nanning Railway Station in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. This route is a key corridor facilitating cross-border exchanges in trade, tourism, and cultural ties.
- Train MR1: Departs daily from Gia Lam Station at 9:20 PM and arrives in Nanning at 10:06 AM the next morning.
- Train MR2: Departs Nanning at 6:00 PM and reaches Gia Lam Station in Hanoi by 5:30 AM the following day.
This overnight schedule optimizes travel time, allowing passengers to rest while in transit and arrive at their destinations early the next day, convenient for both business and leisure travelers.
Border Control and Immigration Procedures
To ensure a smooth and efficient travel experience, immigration and customs clearance have been arranged at strategic stations on both sides of the border:
- In Vietnam, immigration formalities are conducted at Dong Dang Station in Lang Son province. Dong Dang is an important gateway town near the border with China and has been developed to facilitate cross-border transport and trade.
- On the Chinese side, passengers clear customs and immigration at Pingxiang Station in Guangxi province, a major border crossing point.
This dual-station clearance system allows border authorities to perform thorough immigration and customs inspections without causing undue delays or disruptions to the overall train schedule. The arrangement aligns with best practices recommended by international border management agencies to ensure security while maintaining passenger convenience.
Economic and Cultural Significance of the Rail Link
The reactivation of the Hanoi-Nanning passenger rail service is expected to yield multiple benefits for both Vietnam and China, spanning economic, cultural, and environmental dimensions.
Economic Revitalization:
The rail connection facilitates the flow of tourists, businesspeople, and workers between two rapidly growing economies.
According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), China remains Vietnam’s largest trading partner, with extensive bilateral trade reaching tens of billions of dollars annually.
Reestablishing passenger rail links supports this trade by making travel easier and more predictable for traders and entrepreneurs, thereby encouraging cross-border investment and cooperation.
Tourism Boost:
Vietnam and China have increasingly prioritized tourism as a sector for sustainable economic growth. The Vietnamese National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) highlights that many Chinese tourists favor rail travel for its affordability and comfort, especially for regional trips.
The rail service provides a greener alternative to air travel, helping reduce carbon emissions, in line with Vietnam’s commitments to environmental sustainability under the Paris Agreement.
Tourism officials from both countries anticipate that the restored rail connection will stimulate tourism flows to key cultural sites in northern Vietnam and southern China, from the vibrant capital city of Hanoi to the Guangxi region’s scenic attractions such as Guilin and the Detian Waterfall.
People-to-People Exchanges:
Cross-border train travel is also a bridge for cultural exchange, educational collaboration, and family reunions. Both governments have stressed the importance of maintaining strong social ties between their peoples, facilitated by accessible transportation options. According to reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam (MOFA Vietnam) and China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA China), such exchanges play a role in strengthening diplomatic relations and mutual understanding.
Technical and Operational Enhancements
Since the suspension of services, both Vietnam and China have undertaken infrastructure improvements to enhance the efficiency and safety of the cross-border rail link.
The Gia Lam Railway Station in Hanoi has undergone modernization to improve passenger facilities and streamline boarding procedures. Similarly, upgrades at Nanning Railway Station and border checkpoints have been completed to accommodate increased passenger volumes and comply with international standards.
Both countries have also coordinated efforts to integrate health safety protocols related to COVID-19, including vaccination verification and testing, to ensure that the resumed service operates with minimal health risks. These measures are consistent with guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Union of Railways (UIC).
Future Prospects
Looking forward, the Vietnam-China rail connection is positioned to expand further. Discussions are ongoing to potentially increase train frequency, add new routes linking additional cities, and enhance freight transport integration. These developments are part of broader initiatives under the Belt and Road framework and regional economic partnerships such as the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA).
Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport has stated its commitment to enhancing rail connectivity as part of the country’s transport development strategy for 2021–2030, aiming to reduce reliance on road transport and improve sustainable infrastructure.
China’s 14th Five-Year Plan similarly highlights the importance of cross-border rail corridors to support regional integration and economic growth.
Passenger Information and Booking
Travelers interested in utilizing the revived Hanoi-Nanning passenger train service can obtain schedules,ticketing information, and travel advisories from official railway websites:
- Vietnam Railways (Vietnam Railways Corporation)
- China Railway
Passengers should ensure they have the necessary travel documents, including valid passports and visas, and comply with any health and customs requirements. It is recommended to check for real-time updates on border regulations given the evolving nature of international travel protocols.
Conclusion
The resumption of Vietnam-China cross-border passenger rail service after a five-year COVID-19-induced hiatus marks a significant milestone in restoring regional connectivity.
By providing a reliable, convenient, and sustainable mode of travel, this railway service will facilitate enhanced trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, strengthening the historic partnership between Vietnam and China.
This development is a testament to both nations’ commitment to overcoming pandemic challenges and advancing cooperation for mutual economic growth and cultural understanding in the 21st century.
