The visiting Vietnamese President To Lam on Thursday embarked on a remarkable journey across China, traveling more than 2,400 kilometers from Beijing to south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on a high-speed train. In around ten hours, he experienced firsthand the sweeping landscapes, advanced infrastructure and the vibrant pace of Chinese modernization.

"This trip is truly special," said To Lam, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, as he gazed through the train window.

Thursday's journey marked To Lam's second high-speed rail trip during his visit to China, following his Tuesday journey from Beijing to Xiongan New Area. Traversing Hebei, Henan, Hubei and Hunan provinces, the journey offered a unique and immersive experience of Chinese modernization.

From north to south, the Vietnamese president kept the curtains open and watched the scenery unfold. "China's level of urbanization is impressive," To Lam said, adding that even passing through just a few provinces, he could feel the balanced development between regions.

Outside the train, cities and countryside alternated in a striking display of prosperity and natural beauty, painting a vivid picture of China's dynamic growth. Inside, To Lam listened attentively to detailed explanations of the construction, development and operation of China's high-speed rail network. He nodded in approval and engaged in discussions about the technology and planning behind these achievements.

To Lam said Chinese leaders' long-term strategic foresight for railway development and the application of scientific and technological innovation are crucial to driving railway construction.

Describing the information he received during the journey as "invaluable," the Vietnamese president emphasized that such achievements would not have been possible without meticulous planning and technical excellence.

To Lam also singled out China's technical prowess for special praise. "Few countries in the world have railways capable of operating at 4,000 meters above sea level," he said, adding that China's accomplishments in rail transport are truly admirable.

At Shijiazhuang Station, To Lam personally inspected the train's cockpit, observing operations up close. "How many kilometers from Beijing to Shijiazhuang?" he asked with curiosity, then smiled: "On a plane, you can only sit, but on a high-speed train, you can move around freely. This travel experience is excellent."

Since launching its high-speed rail service in 2008, China has built the world's largest high-speed railway network, accounting for over 70% of the global total. Up to 10,000 bullet trains carry as many as 16 million passengers on average every day, with more than 22.9 billion passengers transported by the end of 2024, reducing travel times and boosting industrial development along railway routes.

According to national plans, by 2035, China's high-speed rail network will reach 70,000 kilometers, comprising eight vertical and eight horizontal main lines linking the north-south and east-west axes. Once completed, the network will cover major cities, urban clusters and key economic zones nationwide.

Vietnam on Sunday began construction on its first high-speed railway, a 120-kilometer line linking Hanoi, Bac Ninh province, Hai Phong city and Quang Ninh province, with a maximum speed of 350 kilometers per hour, according to local media outlet VnExpress.

With a total investment of around 147.37 trillion Vietnamese dong (about $5.87 billion), the project is slated for completion in 2028, helping cut travel time between Hanoi and Quang Ninh from 2 to 2.5 hours to 25 to 30 minutes, while boosting regional connectivity and economic growth, VnExpress reported.

(With input from Xinhua)