Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) said the train departed from Shuangzhai Station in Qinghai on May 27 and arrived in Hanoi on June 2 before continuing to its final destination at Trang Bom Station in Dong Nai.
The service was organised by Qinghai's Department of Commerce in cooperation with Vietnam's railway sector and follows agreements reached during Party General Secretary To Lam's state visit to China in April.
The nearly 4,000-km journey cuts transport time to around seven days, including customs procedures, compared with 12-15 days previously.
The train crosses the Pingxiang-Dong Dang rail border gate between China's Guangxi region and Vietnam's Lang Son Province before customs clearance at Yen Vien Station in Hanoi.
Cargo is then transferred to Vietnam Railways wagons for the final leg to Dong Nai.
According to VNR, the route currently operates in one direction, transporting goods from China to Vietnam. Efforts are under way to develop two-way freight services to improve efficiency and reduce empty return trips.
The new route is expected to strengthen trade links and expand rail freight connectivity between Vietnam and China.
