Cross-border rail travel is so back in Asia. Belmond's luxurious Eastern & Oriental Express from Singapore to Malaysia resumed in 2024; just last week, it was announced that the KL-Bangkok direct train will resume in 2025. That's not to mention the expansion of routes like the China-Laos Railway and the Phnom Penh-Ho Chi Minh City railway, or the possible revival of a direct train between Penang and Bangkok.
Now, a rail route between China and Vietnam has quietly reopened (May 25). According to the South China Morning Post, the international service offers an 11.5-hour journey between Nanning, the capital of China's Guangxi region, and Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. It returns after being paused five years ago due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The route's reopening is expected to boost tourism for both China and Vietnam. China is now more accessible than ever – it's been expanding its visa-free entry policies and now offers up to 30 days of visa-free access to 38 countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and Thailand. That gives eligible travellers arriving in Nanning plenty of time to explore the southern city or hop onto China's high-speed rail network to cities like Kunming, a gateway to the natural wonders in Yunnan province, or Guangzhou, with its Cantonese fare and affordable shopping.
Similarly, those arriving in Hanoi will find no shortage of things to do, be it exploring the city's historic Old Quarter or cruising along the enchanting Ha Long Bay. Those keen to go further out can take a 5-hour drive to the cool, refreshing climes of mountainous Sapa. Otherwise, they can road trip south to other popular Vietnamese cities like Da Nang, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh, and the island of Phu Quoc.
Xinhua News Agency reported that the Nanning-Hanoi international train runs daily. It leaves Nanning at 6:05pm and arrives in Hanoi at 6:30am the next day. The return train departs Hanoi at 10:20pm and arrives in Nanning at 10:06am the next day. Tickets are only sold offline at railway stations in China (Guilin, Nanning, Chongzuo, and Pingxiang) and Hanoi.
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