The first cargo train from Hanoi carrying commodities reaches the northern Chinese province of Hebei. (Photo: sjzdaily.com.cn)

The train, which carried 800 tonnes of wood, tapioca starch, and other products on 35 containers, arrived at the Chinese port after a five-day journey.

The trip carried out by Vietnam Railway and the Shijiazhuang Inland Porttook less time than it would have done if it had been taken by sea, whilst customs procedures were also simpler compared to border crossings taken by trucks.

Previously, there had only been a one-way cargo train running from China to Vietnam. On July 24, the first cargo train from the northern Chinese city of Shijiazhuang also arrived in Hanoi, carrying with it 800 tonnes of equipment, chemicals, and fertilizers.

By exploiting both ways, a number of quality Vietnamese products are now capable of reaching Chinese consumers, contributing to strengthening trade exchanges between Vietnam and major provinces in northern China.