A China-Vietnam cross-border cargo train departs from Nanning. [Photo by Mo Yujie/China News Service]

A China-Vietnam cross-border express cargo train arrived at Vietnam's Dong Dang Station on June 13 after a journey that lasted 11 hours and 25 minutes, the fastest trip from Nanning to Dong Dang since the route was opened in 2017.

The train, loaded with cargo such as coated paper and empty cans, made the journey six hours faster than normal.

A "fast pass" model is being applied for the train, as enterprises can complete one-stop customs clearance and inspections upon departure and do not need to go through additional procedures at checkpoints. Qin Wei, chairman of Guangxi Free Trade Zone Fandong International Supply Chain, said that the new model has saved the enterprise 7 to 13 percent in transport costs. 

More efforts have been made to increase the transportation efficiency of China-Vietnam cross-border cargo trains such as by optimizing customs clearance processes. The 95306 online digital checkpoint platform was put into use at Pingxiang Checkpoint in July 2020, realizing the information sharing between railway, customs and checkpoint departments. The platform shortened the customs clearance time from the previous three to four hours to several minutes. 

To date, a total of 834 China-Vietnam cross-border cargo trains have operated, with 147 operating this year, a year-on-year increase of 26.5 percent.