Rail route connects Yunnan to Haiphong in Vietnam

A rail route connecting Kunming in Yunnan province with Haiphong in Vietnam opened on June 12, strengthening transportation links between China and Southeast Asia.

The 854-kilomter route is China's first to open to the south of the Eurasian Land Bridge, which connects passengers and freight from China and the Russian Far East to Europe.

A service between Kunming, passing through Lao Cai and Hanoi, before arriving at Haiphong, will operate daily.

The first train to set off on the route carried an 850-ton cargo aboard 32 containers.

"The launch of the train route helps Kunming become an important transport hub as well as boost its economic development," said a spokesperson from Kunming Railway Bureau.

The first train from Kunming to Haiphong sets off from Wangjiaying West Container Center in Kunming, Yunnan province, on June 12. [Photo/Yunnan Daily]

Editor: Eric Wang