China, Vietnam Resume Cross-Border Passenger Train After Five Years

The direct train service between Bangkok, Thailand, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is set to resume by the end of 2025, improving regional connectivity and boosting tourism and trade. Meanwhile, China and Vietnam have reopened their passenger rail route between Nanning and Hanoi after a five-year pandemic suspension, enhancing cross-border travel and tourism. This 11.5-hour train trip supports China's visa-free entry policies for tourists from 38 countries, facilitating easier travel to major Chinese cities via the high-speed rail network. The reopening is expected to attract increased tourism and economic activity, benefiting travel agencies and rail operators on both sides. Vietnamese travelers can now enter China visa-free if part of a Chinese-organized tour group, further encouraging group tourism and cultural exchange. These rail route resumptions symbolize broader efforts in Southeast Asia to revive tourism and regional integration through sustainable and convenient transport options.