Cross-border rail travel between China and Vietnam surges

With the strong development of transport infrastructure and the close relationship between Vietnam and China, cross-border tourism by rail promises to continue to be a prominent development trend in the coming time.

Illustrative photo (Photo: Nguyen Linh/VNA.)

The cross-border railway tourism market between Vietnam and China is becoming a prominent trend, as the number of group tourists from Vietnam to Yunnan has increased sharply this year, especially through border gates such as Hekou, Yunnan province.

Yunnan Province is an important gateway for China to South Asia and Southeast Asia. To promote economic development, trade and especially cross-border tourism, the locality has significantly increased investment in transport infrastructure, especially railways.

Railway lines such as Yumeng, Menghe, and Nimeng have been put into operation, helping to shorten travel time and facilitate connections between China and Vietnam, especially in the context of increasingly close economic and cultural relations between the two countries.

Hekou Bei Railway Station, located right at the China-Vietnam border gate, is an important departure point for cross-border trains. Along with improving railway lines, Yunnan Province has implemented many measures to enhance the tourist experience, such as increasing the number of high-speed trains and introducing bilingual inspection and announcement devices at Hekou Bei and Honghe stations, making it easier for tourists to travel and avoid traffic congestion.

Not only focusing on the convenience of tourists, Yunnan Railway has also established an information coordination system with border agencies and travel agencies to grasp the schedule and number of tourists and make appropriate adjustments. This helps to reduce overload and ensure the convenience of travel.

By the end of June 2025, the number of group tourists from Vietnam to Yunnan via the Hekou border gate reached a record 27,200, up 74.68% over the same period last year. This figure shows a major change in the travel habits of Vietnamese people, as high-speed trains have become the main means of transportation for cross-border travel.

With the strong development of transport infrastructure and the close relationship between Vietnam and China, cross-border tourism by rail promises to continue to be a prominent development trend in the coming time, bringing great opportunities for both countries in developing the tourism industry and promoting cultural and economic exchanges.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/du-lich-xuyen-bien-gioi-bang-duong-sat-giua-trung-quoc-va-viet-nam-tang-manh-3364884.html