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Tourism

China and Vietnam Reopen Passenger Train Route, Boosting Tourism and Economic Recovery

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As part of China's post-pandemic economic recovery efforts, the country has reopened a passenger train route between Nanning in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, a move that analysts believe will boost tourism between the two neighbours and attract more international travellers to visit the mainland without a visa. The service, which was launched in 2009 and paused in February 2020, was resumed on Sunday, and analysts say it will serve tourism growth on both sides of the 1,297-kilometre land border. The reopening of the route is expected to make it easier for Vietnamese tourists to visit China without a visa, particularly for Western backpackers who are popular in Hanoi.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hanoi-Nanning train route was reopened on Sunday, with trains running for the 11.5-hour trip between Nanning and Hanoi.
  • The service was launched in 2009 and paused in February 2020 due to the pandemic.
  • The reopening of the route will boost tourism between China and Vietnam, particularly for Vietnamese tourists who can enter China visa-free at select ports if they are part of a tour group organised by a travel agency.
  • According to market research firm Statista, people travelling to mainland China from Vietnam accounted for 4% of all arrivals processed in 2023.
  • By the third quarter of 2024, Vietnamese travellers made up 23,500 visitors to mainland China, second only to Hong Kong as an offshore source, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
  • China offers 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of 38 countries, including Australia, Singapore and many European countries.
  • In 2023, more than 3.7 million Chinese visitors travelled to Vietnam, up 114% over the previous year, according to the Vietnam+ news outlet.
  • The reopening of the Hanoi-Nanning route will also attract more international travellers to visit China without a visa, making it easier for Western backpackers to visit Hanoi.

Statistics:

  • The train route spans 1,297 kilometres, making it one of the longest rail connections between China and Vietnam.
  • The service was paused in February 2020 and reopened on Sunday, with trains running for the 11.5-hour trip between Nanning and Hanoi.
  • In 2023, 4% of all arrivals processed to mainland China were from Vietnam, according to Statista.
  • By the third quarter of 2024, Vietnamese travellers made up 23,500 visitors to mainland China, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
  • China offers 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of 38 countries.
  • In 2023, more than 3.7 million Chinese visitors travelled to Vietnam, up 114% over the previous year, according to the Vietnam+ news outlet.

Sources:

  • Xinhua News Agency
  • Statista
  • Ministry of Culture and Tourism
  • China Highlights
  • Dezan Shira and Associates
  • Vietnam+ news outlet
  • China's Global Times

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