In the first days of 2025, export activities of agricultural products through border gates in Lạng Sơn, Lào Cai, and Quảng Ninh provinces have been vibrant and smooth.
Key export commodities include dragon fruit, watermelon, durian, jackfruit, banana, rambutan, mango, and cassava, among others.
This period coincides with the preparation for the Lunar New Year (Tết Ất Tỵ), when trade flows increase sharply. To ensure smooth customs clearance, relevant authorities are actively coordinating with businesses to simplify and expedite customs procedures, facilitating the timely flow of goods.
High Trade Volume at Lạng Sơn Border Gates
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According to Mr. Hoàng Khánh Duy, Deputy Head of the Đồng Đăng Border Gate Management Board (Lạng Sơn), during the first days of 2025, customs clearance averaged over 1,300 trucks per day, with peak days reaching 1,500 trucks, equivalent to 25,000–30,000 tons of goods daily — mostly agricultural exports.
Goods are primarily cleared through the Tân Thanh (Vietnam) – Pò Chài (Guangxi, China) specialized freight route.
To enhance efficiency, the Đồng Đăng–Lạng Sơn Economic Zone Authority frequently holds bilateral meetings with the Pingxiang (Guangxi, China) authorities to optimize customs procedures, extend working hours during peak periods, and coordinate flexible cargo flows — especially for perishable products such as fruits and vegetables.
At the Tân Thanh–Pò Chài freight route, data from January 6, 2025, show that 417 trucks (mainly carrying jackfruit, watermelon, durian, etc.) completed customs clearance. Both sides are working to raise throughput to 450–500 trucks per day by further optimizing inspection procedures and preventing congestion during the Lunar New Year peak.
Smooth Customs Operations in Lào Cai and Quảng Ninh
At the Lào Cai International Border Gate No. II – Kim Thành, import–export activities are proceeding efficiently.
The Lào Cai Economic Zone Authority has directed all border control agencies to maintain full staffing and expedite procedures, ensuring continuous cargo flow.
In Quảng Ninh province, import–export operations at Móng Cái city’s border gates and crossings have also remained stable and efficient.
According to Mr. Nguyễn Anh Tài, Deputy Director of Lạng Sơn Customs Department, total import–export turnover through Lạng Sơn’s border gates in 2024 reached USD 66.4 billion, up 27.6% year-on-year, accounting for nearly one-third of total trade between Vietnam and China — the highest level ever recorded.
This reflects the strong growth of border trade, contributing significantly to bilateral commerce, local economic development, and the improvement of living standards in border communities.
Expanding Trade Infrastructure and Logistics Capacity
Cross-border trade in agricultural products has become increasingly diverse, covering rubber and derivatives, sliced and powdered cassava, rice, sugar, fresh fruits, seafood, and wood veneers.
The growing number of border trade enterprises also highlights the need for infrastructure upgrades and logistics expansion.
Authorities are urged to:
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Develop modern logistics centers with full-service functions — transportation, warehousing, customs agency, legal consulting, and quarantine.
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Review and propose preferential investment policies to attract capital into border economic zones.
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Enhance digital customs systems to improve clearance efficiency and reduce costs for traders.
Vibrant Trade at Móng Cái: A Positive Start to 2025
At Móng Cái International Border Gate, export–import operations remained active even on January 1, 2025.
Traffic was normal at Bắc Luân I Bridge and Km3+4 Hải Yên floating bridge, as well as at Bắc Luân II Bridge, where pre-scheduled customs clearance was implemented.
By 10:00 a.m. on New Year’s Day:
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25 import trucks (137 tons of mixed goods) passed through the Hải Yên crossing.
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61 export trucks carried 1,393 tons of goods, including 880 tons of fruit, 470 tons of frozen seafood, and 18 tons of fresh seafood.
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40 trucks at Bắc Luân II transported over 240 tons of frozen products under the pre-clearance regime.
Digital Transformation and Sustainable Export Growth
According to Ms. Nguyễn Thị Mai Linh, Head of Trade Facilitation Division (Import–Export Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade), provinces should enhance trade promotion via digital platforms to help businesses access up-to-date information on border trade and market demand, particularly from China and other key markets.
Key recommendations include:
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Transition exports toward official (registered) trade rather than small-scale cross-border trading.
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Train and upskill customs and trade officers on new international regulations and best practices.
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Expand the pilot “Digital Border Gate Platform”, synchronizing data flows with physical cargo tracking to avoid congestion and improve coordination across all northern border checkpoints.