Vietnamese tourist arrivals in China’s Yunnan province have surged this year, with group travel via cross-border rail routes becoming increasingly popular. Yunnan, a key gateway between China and Southeast Asia, has significantly invested in transport infrastructure, especially railways, to boost trade and tourism. Key rail lines such as Yumeng, Menghe, and Nimeng have shortened travel time and strengthened cross-border connectivity between China and Vietnam, supporting their growing economic and cultural ties.

The Hekou North Station, located at the China-Vietnam border, has become a major departure point for these journeys. To enhance visitor experience, Yunnan authorities have increased the number of high-speed trains, upgraded inspection facilities, and installed bilingual signage at stations, including Hekou North and Honghe. In the first half of this year, group tourist arrivals from Vietnam to Yunnan via Hekou had reached a record 27,200, up 74.68% year-on-year. As transportation infrastructure continues to improve and bilateral ties deepen, cross-border railway tourism is expected to remain a dynamic growth trend, fostering not only tourism but also cultural and economic exchanges between the two nations.