Kunming(Yunnan)–Haiphong(Vietnam) Railway

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The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway (滇越铁路) is a historic 855 km (531 mi) railway that connects Haiphong, Vietnam with Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. It was built between 1904 and 1910 by the French colonial administration, primarily to facilitate trade and access to resources in Yunnan.

Historical Background

The French, during the colonial era, aimed to establish a more efficient transport network to connect Indochina with south-western China. This project was part of France’s larger effort to export European goods to China and access Yunnan’s natural resources. These included minerals, opium, and agricultural products like rice and dry fish.

Before the railway, travel between Haiphong (the nearest seaport to Yunnan) and Kunming was a long and arduous journey. It took 28 days, with 16 days spent by steamer, followed by a 12-day overland route.

The French obtained the right to build the railway after China’s defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–95). The railway, at a cost of 95 million francs (approximately €362 million), was one of the most ambitious colonial projects undertaken by France. It was officially opened on April 1, 1910.

Route and Gauge

The railway consists of two main sections:

1. Kunming–Hekou Railway (昆河铁路) – 466 km long in China

2. Hanoi–Lào Cai Railway – 389 km long in Vietnam

The line uses a 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3/8 in) meter gauge due to the challenging mountainous terrain along the route. It remains the only major railway in China using this gauge.

Closure and Decline

During World War II, under pressure from Japan, the railway was closed on July 16, 1940, in order to cut off supplies to China during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The line was partially used to transport supplies for Japan’s military efforts. After the war, the railway’s operations were severely disrupted, with parts of the infrastructure destroyed.

In 1979, during the Sino-Vietnamese War, the Nanxi River bridge on the border was destroyed, halting the flow of trade between China and Vietnam for several years.

Gebishi Railway

A branch line, known as the Gebishi Railway, was built in 1915 from Bisezhai toward Shiping, spanning 176 km. It was a narrow gauge line with 600 mm (1 ft 11 5/8 in). The last section of the railway, covering 72 km, was closed in 1990.

Current Status

Passenger Service

As late as 2000, there was a twice-a-week cross-border passenger service. Passengers had to transfer between Chinese and Vietnamese trains at the border. However, frequent landslides led to delays, and passenger services were eventually terminated on the Chinese side in 2005. Most of the passenger coaches were donated to Myanmar.

In 2008, a small section (37 km) of the railway resumed limited passenger service, with trains running between Kunming and surrounding areas. As of 2016, 2 daily trains operated on this section.

Freight Service

Freight services continue to operate on the Kunming-Hekou Railway. Notably, fertilizers are exported from China to Vietnam, while sulphur and zinc ore are imported in the opposite direction. In 2017, 166,200 tons of freight were transported along the line, marking a significant increase in cargo traffic.

New Kunming–Hekou Railway

A new Kunming–Hekou railway line, built with standard gauge (1,435 mm), began construction in the 1990s and opened in stages through the 2010s. The new line is different from the older meter-gauge line, passing through areas like Tonghai and Jianshui instead of the original route through Yiliang and Kaiyuan.

• The first section to Yuxi opened in 1993.

• The Yuxi–Mengzi section opened in 2013, and passenger services began the same year, reaching Mengzi North.

• The Mengzi-Hekou section opened in December 2014, allowing for regular passenger services to Hekou North Railway Station.

The new railway line is integrated with China’s standard-gauge network, providing better connections for freight and passenger trains.

Connections to Standard-Gauge Network

There are key connections between the old meter-gauge railway and the standard-gauge network, allowing for cargo transfer. In Vietnam, the Hanoi-Gia Lâm Railway connects to the standard-gauge system, linking Hanoi to China. On the Chinese side, Kunming is served by both meter-gauge and standard-gauge lines, and the two networks are connected via a short line near Hekou North Station.

The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway has played a crucial role in the trade between China and Vietnam, particularly during the early and mid-20th century. Although its role has diminished with the opening of modern rail links, freight services continue, and the new Kunming-Hekou line provides enhanced connectivity for future cross-border trade.