First cargo train from China's northern city reaches Hanoi

The train with 23 cars carrying 800 tons of equipment, chemicals and fertilizers arrived on Wednesday after a four-day journey to cover the 2,700 kilometers.

The trip took less time than by road and customs procedures were simpler compared to border crossings by trucks.

Vietnam Railway and the Shijiazhuang Inland Port are committed to operating at least one round trip per week and increasing the frequency should demand rise.

Shijiazhuang, a city of over 11 million people, is a key point in the railroad network between Hebei and Beijing and Tianjin.

Shijiazhuang is also connected by rail with Russia, Europe, central Asia, Mongolia, and other Southeast Asian countries.