The first cross-border passenger train service between Vientiane, the capital of Laos, and Kunming, the capital city of China’s Yunnan province, launched ahead of the Lao New Year holiday. The launch of the service is a milestone for Laos and is expected to help boost the recovery of its tourism industry. The Lao government is preparing for the start of the cross-border passenger service on the China-Laos Railway to ensure a safe and smooth trip for all passengers. Laos tourism authorities estimate that around 368,000 Chinese travellers will visit Laos this year, up 21% from 2022. The China-Laos Railway is expected to become a crucial infrastructure in facilitating travel, and experts believe that millions of Chinese tourists will visit ASEAN member countries.