Resumption of China-Vietnam train service offers new opportunities for tourism

The first train of the China-Vietnam international passenger rail service arrived in Hanoi at 5:30 local time on Monday, marking its return after a five-year suspension.

The Nanning-Hanoi international train operates on a daily schedule, departing from Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, at 18:05 and arriving in Hanoi the following day. The return train departs from Hanoi at 22:20 and arrives in Nanning at 10:06 the following day.

"I came to take this train. It's a special experience to travel on this meaningful carrage. As a transportation enthusiast, I really want to try this cross-border train. You can see the ticket for this train is different from those for domestic trains," said Zhao Shuaiqi, a Chinese traveler.

Tickets for this train are currently sold offline only. Passengers can buy tickets with a passport at railway stations in Guilin, Nanning, Chongzuo and Pingxiang. Travelers must obtain a paper visa or prepare visa-free documents in advance and complete customs procedures at border stations.

"We hope this train will become the first choice for tourism, exchanges, visits, and business trips by people of China and Vietnam," said Nguyen Chinh Nam, Deputy General Director, Vietnam Railways.

As China expands visa-free entry for travelers, the route could also make it easier for foreigners to visit China.

Resumption of China-Vietnam train service offers new opportunities for tourism

China's movie industry is increasingly deriving its earnings from broader consumer economy.

Released during the 2025 summer season, the film "Nobody" became China's highest-grossing two-dimensional animated film -- and its success went beyond theaters.

Through licensing and brand partnerships, the movie has generated 2.5 billion yuan (about 358.3 million U.S. dollars) in retail sales to consumers, with more than 800 licensed products on the market.

Ranging from plush toys to food and home goods, the movie-related merchandise can be purchased from over 3,000 online and offline outlets.

Meanwhile, souvenir stores are crowded at Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia themed land, with hats, plush toys, and collectibles seeing steady demand from visitors.

"China's film industry is no longer defined by box office revenue alone. It has become a new growth engine that links and energizes multiple cultural sectors. At the heart of every successful film is strong storytelling. High-quality productions create cultural value, which in turn enhances the commercial value of intellectual property and opens up new consumption opportunities. I believe China's film industry delivered an outstanding performance in the past year," said Chen Xiaoda, vice dean of Shanghai Vancouver Film School.

Film IP fuels expansion of consumer market