[Vietnam Railways] Hanoi - Nanning (China) International Passenger Train
Package options
Hanoi - Nanning Soft Sleeper
What to expect
🚆 Hanoi to Nanning Railway – Cross-Border Train Journey
Travel seamlessly between Vietnam and China with the Hanoi to Nanning Railway — a comfortable, scenic, and culturally rich overland journey.
Step aboard the international railway connecting Hanoi, Vietnam’s charming capital, with Nanning, the vibrant capital of China’s Guangxi Province. Ideal for travelers seeking an affordable, relaxed alternative to flying, this cross-border train route combines convenience, comfort, and unforgettable landscapes.
📍 Route Details:
Departure: Hanoi (Gia Lâm Railway Station) at 21:20
Arrival: Nanning (Nanning Railway Station) at 10:00
Travel Time: Approx. 11–12 hours (overnight train)
Border Crossing: Dong Dang (Vietnam) – Pingxiang (China)
🛏️ Train Features:
Air-conditioned soft sleeper cabins for restful overnight travel
Shared restrooms
Customs & immigration procedures handled at the border stations
🌏 Why Choose This Train?
Budget-Friendly: Cheaper than most flights
Eco-Conscious: A greener way to travel
Scenic Journey: Enjoy views of rice fields, limestone mountains, and rural landscapes
Cultural Experience: Connect with locals and fellow travelers on an authentic rail journey
Whether you’re heading to China for business, tourism, or adventure, the Hanoi to Nanning train offers a stress-free way to cross borders while enjoying the romance of classic railway travel.
Border Crossing Procedures – Midnight Immigration
This part of the journey can be quite memorable (and a little challenging), as border formalities occur late at night:
📍 At Dong Dang Station (Vietnam) – around 00:55–02:50 (Vietnam time): All passengers must bring all luggage off the train to the station hall for Vietnam exit procedures.
Show your passport and ticket to immigration officers, then return to the train after clearance.
Please make sure your Vietnam visa remains valid until the date of exit (+1 day from your departure date), as immigration procedures take place after midnight.
📍 At Pingxiang Station (China) – around 04:31–05:05 (China time): The train crosses the border and stops at Pingxiang Station.
Once again, all passengers must bring all luggage to the station for China entry procedures.
You will need to fill out an Entry Card (distributed onboard or available at the station) and present your passport (with visa) to Chinese immigration officers. Your luggage may be scanned or inspected before reboarding.
💡 These procedures take place in the early hours of the morning, when you might feel sleepy.
Stay alert, keep your passport and documents ready, and follow the guidance of train staff and border officers.
Pack light if possible, as you’ll have to carry your bags twice during the night.
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Good to know
Confirmation
- You'll get confirmation within 24 hours. If you don't receive a confirmation email, reach out to our customer support.
Luggage Information
- Maximum of 1 standard luggage and 1 handbag per person
Eligibility
- Important: Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount
- Children aged 3+ will be charged the same rate as adults
- Children aged 0-3 can travel free of charge provided they will not occupy separate seats
Booking Requirement
- All passengers must have their travel documents (passports, ID cards, valid visas) ready prior to boarding
Disclaimer
- Klook and the operator are not responsible for any damage or loss to your personal belongings
- We (Booking platform, the supplier and Vietnam Railways) are not responsible for the validity of passengers’ travel documents during the booking process and will not provide refunds in cases where the passenger’s documents are deemed invalid or unacceptable by authorities.
Additional information
- Staff is available for guests requiring disability assistance
Location
Contact us
Reviews
It was a pleasant trip. A few details to keep in mind: make sure to arrive between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM to exchange your ticket for a paper one (1.5 hours before the train departs). Do not arrive earlier, because the ticket agent who handles this won't be there yet, and you won't be able to make the exchange. There are no charging outlets on the train (bring a power bank), and be sure to bring toilet paper with you (it is never provided in the restroom). I had all of these with me, and hopefully, this will be useful to you.
5 stars! It matched the description and met my expectations. However, given that you really have to get up twice (at 2 AM and 4:30 AM Beijing time) to go through customs, and getting an upper bunk is also quite inconvenient, I don't think everyone would be able to accept that. So, I'm leaving my comment here as a kind reminder! Also, regarding charging ports: there's 1 per compartment, 1 next to the sink in each car, and 3 in the corridor. So, it's best to bring enough portable power banks.
Everything went smoothly—only two people were in the four-person sleeping cabin.
It was a very exciting experience. The staff provided excellent service. We booked in advance through Klook, which was very convenient, and we could easily choose our payment method. There were four of us, and we requested to stay in the same room with two upper bunks and two lower bunks, so we didn't have to share with others. There was also a door between the rooms. During the journey, we stopped for border checks when leaving Hanoi at the Dong Dang checkpoint and for immigration into China at the Ping Xiang checkpoint. We had to take all our luggage off the train for inspection. Thai citizens can inform the officials that they have a Free Visa to enter China, but upon entering China, you must fill out documents. It will be faster if you register online for entry beforehand. On the way there, we arrived in China around 10 AM China time. Upon arrival, we had to quickly buy return tickets because they couldn't be purchased online and required cash only. However, our plans went a little awry; there were no train services on the day we planned to return, so we had to postpone our return by one day. For anyone who hasn't traveled internationally before, I highly recommend trying it at least once.
I booked a train from Hanoi to Nanning but accidentally selected the wrong date. I couldn't change the date. When I went to pick up the ticket at Hanoi station, the staff informed me that it could be changed and that I would receive an 80% refund. I'm still waiting and don't know what Klook will do.
FAQs
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