Train from Song Than station to China once a week

On the afternoon of February 21, the first international freight train of the year departed from Song Than station, Binh Duong to China. The train consists of 21 carriages, carrying agricultural products, and is expected to arrive in Zhengzhou and Henan of the neighboring country after 9-10 days. This is a train jointly organized by the railways of Vietnam and China to strengthen logistics connections, promote consumption and import and export on the freight transport route between the two countries.

After the first train, it is expected that there will be a transit train organized every week from Song Than station (previously 1-2 trips per month) and increased depending on the actual situation to meet the needs of businesses. Goods in Binh Duong and neighboring areas are gathered at this station, then transported to Yen Vien, Giap Bat station ( Hanoi ), transferred to international transit train to China.

A freight train departs from Song Than station on the afternoon of February 21. Photo: Ha Giang

Mr. Hoang Gia Khanh, General Director of Vietnam Railway Corporation , said that international rail transport between Vietnam and China is undergoing many changes, with output continuously increasing. Many businesses choose rail transport because it shortens the time compared to waiting for transshipment at the border, especially when there is congestion. The process of import and export procedures for cargo ships is also more convenient.

At the train's departure ceremony, Mr. Truong Ton Vy, General Director of HH Au Viet Thong Ha Nam Company (China), said that a large proportion of Vietnamese agricultural products are exported to this country, but the amount transported by rail is much less than by road. This enterprise hopes to receive more policies to support cargo trains, especially shortening the transportation time from Song Than to Dong Dang in Lang Son.

"This will help rail transport compete with other modes, re-establishing an advantage for international intermodal transport," he said.

Song Than is the largest cargo terminal in the South. Currently, the Ministry of Transport is implementing many projects to upgrade and renovate the station, with the expected capacity to increase to 3.5 million tons per year in the 2025-2030 period. At that time, this station will be organized to run trains going directly from China, transiting to third countries and vice versa, instead of having to transfer at domestic stations.

Ha Giang