Chinese Belt and Road initiative is rising in significance in rail freight transport not only to Europe or Central Asia but also towards the countries of south-east Asia. A new intermodal connection between China and Vietnam was launched at the beginning of August. It now connects the capital of Chinese Hebei province, Shijiazhuang, and Yen Vien station in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi.
After travelling the 2,700 km route with a transfer time of 4-5 days, the first 23 wagons delivered 800 tonnes of cargo, including chemicals, fertilisers and metal equipment. Vietnam Railways Corporation (Đường sắt Việt Nam, or VNR) held a special event on this occasion at the receiving station. During the event, a cooperation agreement was signed between Railway Transport and Trading Joint Stock Company (Ratraco) and the Shijiazhuang International Port Storage Company Limited.
