The majority of passengers taking the ride were tourists, business travelers, and people visiting relatives between the two countries.

After a five-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the international train officially resumed service in late May, departing from Gia Lam Station (Hanoi). Travel time has been significantly reduced to around 11 hours to reach Nanning (China), compared to the previous 14 hours. Immigration procedures have also been simplified to facilitate passenger movement.

Notably, on Tuesdays and Fridays each week, the train route extends beyond Nanning to major stations such as Guilin North, Hengyang, Changsha, Zhengzhou, and the final stop at Beijing West, a key terminal on China’s North–South railway corridor. The extended route caters to a growing number of tourists, students, and people visiting family or working along the line.

Domestically, Vietnam Railways has also introduced more accessible ticketing which allows passengers to purchase tickets for the Gia Lam–Nanning route at all railway stations nationwide. Previously, tickets were only available at select locations.

Furthermore, travelers with valid visas and passports, including those with attached photographs, can now buy tickets under a written guarantee. Children aged four to 12 are eligible for a 50% discount.

Vietnam - China passenger train service up and running after five-year hiatus

VOV.VN - Vietnam Railways welcomed the first international passengers on board a train from Nanning Station (China) to Gia Lam Station (Hanoi) on May 25 evening, marking the resumption of the cross-border passenger train service between the two countries after a five-year COVID-inflicted hiatus.