A China-Vietnam cross-border train departs from Song Than station in the southern province of Binh Duong.

The Nanning branch of China Railway Group Limited reported a sharp increase in freight transport on the China-Vietnam cross-border railway last year, with trains departing from Guangxi carrying a total of 19,670 containers, marking a staggering annual increase of 1,153%.

Notably, monthly freight volumes hit record highs five times during the year, in March, April, July, October, and November.

Initially focusing on transporting construction materials and light industrial products, the railway’s cargo categories expanded to high-tech electronics, precision machinery, premium consumer goods, and specialty farm produce. Its list of transported goods now encompasses 262 categories, sourced from 25 provinces and cities across China, with the trade route connecting to multiple ASEAN countries, including Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

Currently, the Nanning branch operates three fixed weekly cross-border freight trains running through the Vietnam-China border, ensuring a steady supply of goods to the market. Daily freight services were also introduced in July last year. At the same time, a new route linking Guangzhou and Nanning (China), and An Vien (Vietnam) was launched, creating a fresh cross-border corridor for exports from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area to Vietnam.

Li Na, business director of the Nanning Public Transport Group Co., Ltd, said that its goods such as furniture, home appliances, and ceramic tiles are now regularly transported to Dong Dang and An Vien in Vietnam. Using the China-Vietnam cross-border freight train has significantly reduced shipping times for the company. Its business activities have been expanded from Vietnam to other ASEAN markets, including Cambodia and Thailand.