Travel

Vietnam welcomes first group of 400 Chinese tourists on charter train

The Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) has recently welcomed 400 Chinese tourists entering Vietnam through the Lao Cai International Border Gate on the first charter train under a cooperation programme between the Lao Cai Department of Tourism and VNR.

Chinese tourists are welcomed at Lao Cai Station (Photo: baolaocai.vn)
Chinese tourists are welcomed at Lao Cai Station (Photo: baolaocai.vn)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) has recently welcomed 400 Chinese tourists entering Vietnam through the Lao Cai International Border Gate on the first charter train under a cooperation programme between the Lao Cai Department of Tourism and VNR.

This is the largest group of Chinese tourists visiting Vietnam since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tourists traveled from Lao Cai to Hanoi Station and then embarked on a 13-day train journey to visit several popular destinations, including Thua Thien-Hue province, Da Nang city, Nha Trang city in Khanh Hoa province, Phan Thiet city in Binh Thuan province, and Ho Chi Minh City, before returning to China.

The railway sector will continue coordinating with travel agencies to organise 16 charter trains, expected to bring a total of 7,000 Chinese visitors to Vietnam.

A representative of the Railway Transport Joint Stock Company noted that China is a key tourism market for Vietnam, with around 3 million visitors annually, ranking second only to the Republic of Korea. The railway sector is actively collaborating with travel companies to tap into this potential market by offering diverse transport options, especially through chartered trains.

For instance, VNR is working with Chinese railways to operate charter trains on a 1,435mm gauge from China to Vietnam via the Dong Dang International Railway Station, reaching destinations like Ha Long Station. Alternatively, some trains come to Gia Lam Station, where passengers transfer to Vietnamese trains on a 1,000mm gauge to continue their journeys.

Chinese tourists can also enter by road and take direct trains on routes such as Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong. From Hai Phong, they can visit Ha Long by road and either return to China by train or continue traveling to southern provinces.

Currently, Chinese tourists primarily use chartered trains for transport, spending their days sightseeing and sleeping onboard at night to save time and accommodation costs, the representative said, adding that it plans to collaborate with travel agencies to enhance the onboard experiences by introducing local specialties, organising group activities, and offering entertainment in carriages to attract more passengers./.

VNA
#Lao Cai International Border Gate #charter trains #Chinese tourists #Vietnam Railways Corporation #travel agencies
Follow VietnamPlus

Post-pandemic recovery

Related News

The railway sector is to receive substantial infrastructure development and change its business model. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Railway sector to transform infrastructure, business model

Empowered to manage and use railway infrastructure, the Vietnam Railway Corporation (VNR) has begun the transformation of its business model, with the goal to streamline and improve cargo and passenger services in the modern era.

Railway sector changes mindset, moves forward

Railway sector changes mindset, moves forward

Over the past years, Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) has undergone changes in mindset, achieving better production and business results and attracting more passengers, insiders have said.

See more

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese carriers cancel, delay flights due to looming typhoon

Vietjet told passengers traveling to and from Da Nang, Phu Bai, Lien Khuong, Chu Lai, Phu Cat, Tuy Hoa, Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, Cam Ranh and Dong Hoi airports to monitor flight schedules and weather conditions before heading there, check the “My Flight” tab on www.vietjetair.com, its mobile app or airport counters for real-time changes.

Foreign tourists explore Tuyen Quang tourism. (Photo: VNA)

Vast potential for mountain tourism

Despite their natural and cultural richness, Vietnam’s geopark-based tourism remains underdeveloped, with noticeable gaps in both quality and sustainability.

Residents in the buffer zone of the UNESCO-recognised Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam's World Biosphere Reserves eye to become ideal destinations

Vietnam's World Biosphere Reserves have truly become a rendezvous for integration, cooperation, and the exchange of information and experiences among countries and international organisations in the field of conservation and sustainable development, as well as an ideal destination for domestic and international tourists, heard a conference in the central province of Khanh Hoa on November 3.

World Travel Awards help Vietnam’s eco-tourism take flight

World Travel Awards help Vietnam’s eco-tourism take flight

Vietnam outshone many strong regional nominees to claim top honours in key natural tourism categories at the 2025 World Travel Awards (WTA) for Asia and Oceania, held on October 13 in China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Hanoi is hosting numerous autumn events and festivals to attract visitors. In the photo: Scene from the 2025 Hanoi World Culture Festival at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Centre. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn)

Vietnam ramps up to attract int'l tourists during peak travel season

To attract more international visitors, Vietnam needs to expand tourism products such as MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tourism, golf tourism, and green tourism. Localities should develop and select new, distinctive tours and tourism services tailored to specific markets.

Cruise ship Piano Land carrying about 1,000 tourists from China docks at Ha Long International Cruise Port. (Photo: VNA)

Chinese tourists stream back to Quang Ninh province

Large-scale events like such as a MICE tour of nearly 1,000 Chinese visitors traveling by land, the Beihai–Ha Long cruise routes, and the charter flights between Shenzhen (China) and Van Don (Vietnam) have been a robust signal to the local tourism, which is striving to welcome 1.25 million international arrivals in Quarter 4 to complete its yearly target of 21.2 million visitors, including 4.09 million foreigners.

Chinese tourists visit Ho Chi Minh city (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam promotes itself as friendly destination for Chinese tourists

China remains Vietnam’s top outbound tourist market, with over 5.8 million visitors annually, accounting for around 30 % of international arrivals to Vietnam. In 2024, nearly 3.74 million Chinese tourists visited Vietnam, recovering over 64 % of pre-COVID levels, with nearly 3.9 million arrivals in the first nine months of this year.