Guide: Kunming to Hekou (Vietnam Border) by Train
The train from Kunming to the Chinese border town of Hekou is popular with travellers heading overland from China to Vietnam.
From Hekou, the Chinese-Vietnamese border is only a few miles away, and once across, a convenient train will take you onward to Hanoi.
This guide explains what to expect from the journey and how to book tickets.
The Kunming-Hekou train. ©AndyBTravels
Booking the Kunming to Hekou train
The easiest way for foreign tourists to book Chinese train tickets is to use Trip.com.
You can use the search box below to find and book your train ticket from Kunming to Hekou.
Trains on the Kunming to Hekou high-speed railway line depart multiple times a day.
When searching for your ticket, make sure you select Kunming Main Station (listed as Kunming or Kunming Zhan, 昆明站) and Hekou North (Hekou Bei, 河口北), as these are the stations you will need.
Kunming station
The journey begins at Kunming’s main railway station, where you will find plenty of places to buy something to eat or drink before departure.
As with all Chinese train travel, your passport serves as your ticket.
When booking online, you must provide your passport details exactly as they appear, as these are required for travel.
At the station, simply present your passport at the automatic check-in gates.
It will be scanned, and if it is linked to a valid ticket, a green light will appear, allowing you to proceed and board your train.
On the Kunming to Hekou train
The Kunming to Hekou service is a C-category train (chéngjì, 城际), a short-distance high-speed service.
This train offers second-class seating in a 2+3 layout and more spacious first-class seating in a 2+2 arrangement.
The fastest journey between Kunming and Hekou takes 4 hours and 6 minutes, covering the route through Yunnan Province.
It is a pleasant ride along an elevated high-speed line, with attractive views of the surrounding hills.
Second class on the Kunming-Hekou train. ©AndyBTravels
View from the train. ©AndyBTravels
Arrival in Hekou
Once you arrive at the terminus station of Hekou North (Hekou Bei), the Vietnamese border is only a short distance away.
Taxis are readily available outside the station to take you to the Chinese border post, but the local bus offers an equally convenient option.
It costs just 2 yuan (cash accepted) and covers the journey in around 10 minutes.
The bus from Hekou railway station to the border with Vietnam. ©AndyBTravels
Crossing the Hekou-Lào Cai border into Vietnam
The border crossing from China to Vietnam at Hekou-Lào Cai is extremely straightforward and is usually completed very quickly.
All you need to do is clear Chinese exit immigration and customs at the border building, then walk across the bridge over the river to the Vietnamese border post to complete immigration there – and you will find yourself in Lào Cai, Vietnam.
From Lào Cai, there is both a daytime and overnight sleeper train that will take you to Hanoi – both of which can easily be booked on 12Go.
If you need to spend the night, there are plenty of good hotels in Lào Cai.
Alternatively, you can take a short bus or taxi ride from Lào Cai to nearby Sapa, a beautiful mountain resort town that is well worth visiting before continuing on to Hanoi.
The modern border station where you exit China. ©AndyBTravels
Conclusion
A convenient way to travel overland from China to Vietnam is by taking the train from Kunming to the border town of Hekou.
From Hekou station, it is only a short 10-minute bus or taxi ride to the border and the Vietnamese town of Lào Cai.
Once in Lào Cai, you can continue by train to Hanoi or take a brief bus or taxi ride to the mountain resort town of Sapa.
