China-Vietnam passenger train resumes after five years

Lu Rifeng (L), a police officer from Nanning branch of Nanning railway public security bureau, and his colleague Yang Tieming change shift at Pingxiang Railway Station in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jan. 20, 2017. Train T8701 left Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for Hanoi, Vietnam at 6:05 p.m. on May 25, marking the resumption of China-Vietnam international passenger rail service after a five-year suspension. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

NANNING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Train T8701 left Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for Hanoi, Vietnam at 6:05 p.m. on Sunday, marking the resumption of China-Vietnam international passenger rail service after a five-year suspension.

The Nanning-Hanoi international train runs daily, leaving Nanning at 6:05 p.m. and arriving in Hanoi at 6:30 a.m. the next day. The return train departs from Hanoi at 10:20 p.m. and arrives in Nanning at 10:06 a.m. the following day.

Tickets for this train are currently sold offline only. Passengers can buy tickets with a passport at railway stations in Guilin, Nanning, Chongzuo and Pingxiang. Travelers must obtain a paper visa or prepare visa-free documents in advance and complete customs procedures at border stations. ■

He Jianlin (R), a railway police officer from Nanning branch of Nanning railway public security bureau, introduces travel safety information to a passenger on a train bound for Hanoi at a railway station in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, May 25, 2025. Train T8701 left Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for Hanoi, Vietnam at 6:05 p.m. on May 25, marking the resumption of China-Vietnam international passenger rail service after a five-year suspension. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Lu Rifeng (C), a police officer from Nanning branch of Nanning railway public security bureau, patrols along the rail line with his colleagues in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jan. 21, 2020. Train T8701 left Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for Hanoi, Vietnam at 6:05 p.m. on May 25, marking the resumption of China-Vietnam international passenger rail service after a five-year suspension. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

He Jianlin (L), a railway police officer from Nanning branch of Nanning railway public security bureau, communicates with his colleague Wang Rongxin outside a train bound for Hanoi at a railway station in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, May 25, 2025. Train T8701 left Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for Hanoi, Vietnam at 6:05 p.m. on May 25, marking the resumption of China-Vietnam international passenger rail service after a five-year suspension. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Wang Rongxin (front), a railway police officer from Nanning branch of Nanning railway public security bureau, is on duty with his colleague on a train bound for Hanoi at a railway station in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, May 25, 2025. Train T8701 left Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for Hanoi, Vietnam at 6:05 p.m. on May 25, marking the resumption of China-Vietnam international passenger rail service after a five-year suspension. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

He Jianlin (L), a railway police officer from Nanning branch of Nanning railway public security bureau, is on duty with his colleagues outside a train bound for Hanoi at a railway station in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, May 25, 2025. Train T8701 left Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for Hanoi, Vietnam at 6:05 p.m. on May 25, marking the resumption of China-Vietnam international passenger rail service after a five-year suspension. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)