Vietnam’s Thriving Economy: Cross-Border Trade Amid Soaring Imports and Exports

Photo: VOV

Booming Cross-Border Trade Amid Flourishing Imports and Exports

Border import and export activities have witnessed robust growth, with import and export turnover through major gateways nationwide surging consistently.

Thriving Imports and Exports via Border Gateways

As per Lang Son Provincial Customs, from January to August-end, total import and export turnover through the province surpassed US$40 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of over 26.58%. Notably, the total turnover of goods declared through the Lang Son Customs Department exceeded US$3.3 billion.

The Management Board of Dong Dang – Lang Son Border Gate Economic Zone stated that during the National Day holiday on September 2, border gateways in the region would continue their regular import and export operations. This includes the international border gates of Huu Nghi, Tan Thanh, Coc Nam, Chi Ma, and the Dong Dang international station border gate.

While the Na Hinh and Na Nua border gates remain operational, no import or export goods have been cleared through them since May.

Import and export activities through border gates in the northern province of Lao Cai also thrived, with trade in goods improving in August. Customs clearance at the Lao Cai – Ha Khau international border gate proceeded smoothly, without any congestion or blockage.

Key export items included durian, peeled wood, dragon fruit, jackfruit, banana, and longan. Conversely, imports comprised flowers, ornamental plants, fresh fruits and vegetables, coke, fertilizer, machinery, equipment, confectionery, and electricity.

Currently, the value of exported goods has surged compared to previous months, mainly due to the durian harvest from the Central Highlands and the peak season for imported fruits and vegetables.

At the international railway station border gates, customs clearance activities are maintained, with 04-06 trains departing and arriving daily. The average monthly import and export value stands at approximately US$280 million, as cited by VOV.

Over the past eight months, the total value of import and export, purchase and sale, and exchange of goods through border gates in Lao Cai is estimated at nearly US$2.3 billion, reflecting a 71.65% annual increase. This performance meets 50.48% of the plan.

Notably, at Kim Thanh International Road Border Gate No. II, customs clearance activities were conducted proactively and smoothly, resulting in a total import-export value of US$1.768 billion during the eight-month period.

Major export items through this border gate include durian, dragon fruit, jackfruit, lychee, and various types of wood. Conversely, Vietnam primarily imports fruits and vegetables, fertilizers, electricity, chemicals, machinery, and equipment.

In the Mong Cai – Quang Ninh border gate area, as of mid-August, the Mong Cai Border Gate Customs Branch has served 1,071 enterprises making procedures. They include 259 local businesses and 812 firms from other localities.

The branch processed nearly 55,400 declarations, with a total import-export turnover of US$2.426 billion, indicating a 13% increase in declarations and an 18% surge in turnover compared to the same period last year.

Bolstering Cross-Border Imports and Exports

Recognizing the significance of the border gate economy to border localities and the entire country, ministries, sectors, and localities have been diligently implementing import and export solutions through these gateways.

During his working trip to Lao Cai on August 30, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien visited the Kim Thanh – Lao Cai border gate. The Minister instructed the locality to focus on investing in logistics infrastructure, warehouses, and yards, especially in the Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone. These efforts aim to facilitate smoother goods circulation and effectively harness the border gate economy. This will contribute to establishing Lao Cai as a pivotal trade link between Vietnam, ASEAN member states, Southwest China, and Eastern Europe.

In the northern province of Lang Son, competent agencies will continue to synchronously deploy solutions to enhance efficiency and facilitate customs clearance. This includes regularly updating and disseminating import-export related information to businesses while accelerating negotiations with the Chinese side to promptly address challenges.

Additionally, they will regulate the flow of import and export vehicles during peak times and strengthen administrative reforms to streamline import and export procedures.

These efforts also encompass providing guidance and orienting development planning and infrastructure investments to suit each border gate area.

UNESCO Lauds Vietnam’s Contributions to Natural Sciences

Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Natural Sciences, Lidia Arthur Brito, commended Vietnam for its significant contributions to UNESCO’s natural science initiatives during a meeting in Paris with Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO.

Brito is scheduled to visit Vietnam from September 9-12. During her trip, she will attend the 8th International Conference of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network for the Asia-Pacific region in Cao Bang province from September 5-17.

At the August 30 meeting, Ambassador Anh emphasized Vietnam’s eagerness to welcome Brito next month and reiterated the country’s commitment to collaborating with UNESCO in the fields of natural sciences and oceanography, as reported by VNA.

Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh (L), Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO, meets with Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Natural Sciences, Lidia Arthur Brito, in Paris on August 30. (Photo: VNA)

Ambassador Anh conveyed Vietnam’s appreciation for UNESCO’s support and guidance on programs related to the environment, climate, and water security.

She also expressed hopes for strengthened cooperation with UNESCO and requested continued assistance in Vietnam’s efforts to establish new global geoparks and biosphere reserves.

Brito praised the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and Cao Bang province for their diligent preparations for the upcoming conference.

The UNESCO official expressed her desire to meet with leaders of relevant Vietnamese ministries and localities to discuss ongoing collaboration programs and explore new cooperation avenues.

The conference in Cao Bang is expected to host nearly 1,000 domestic and international delegates. Held biennially in the Asia-Pacific region, it aims to share experiences, effective models, and measures to foster the development of UNESCO-designated geoparks and facilitate the exchange of best practices among network members.

Coastal, Island Locales Embrace Green Tourism

Several coastal and island localities have formulated strategies and action plans to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainable tourism, including implementing plastic waste reduction measures.

The Vietnam tourism system planning scheme for 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2045, identifies coastal and island tourism as a key product line. It underscores the importance of sustainable tourism development in harmony with environmental protection and effective climate change responses. By 2030, all tourist areas, accommodation establishments, and other coastal service businesses are expected to eliminate single-use plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic bags.

Phu Quoc, a renowned tourist destination in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, attracts approximately 5.5 million visitors annually. With a strong commitment to developing a green and sustainable economy, including tourism, the city aims to completely ban single-use plastic products in coastal tourist areas and for night market vendors by 2025. Additionally, by that target year, 80% of the areas within the Phu Quoc marine protected area are expected to be free of plastic waste, as reported by VOV.

Phu Quoc Island in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang is committed to promoting green tourism.

Similarly, Con Dao district in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, another captivating coastal and island tourist destination, has implemented a project on researching and applying circular economy models for sustainable socio-economic development from 2022 to 2025. This project entails various activities, such as training sessions on waste sorting at the source and commitments from the local tourism association and transport companies to reduce plastic use in their services.

For green tourism linked to sustainable environmental protection to succeed, it necessitates more than just awareness campaigns and pilot models. It demands the voluntary and dedicated efforts of every citizen, tourist, and service provider through concrete and practical actions.

A representative of Nicobar Con Dao Hotel shared that the hotel has replaced plastic water bottles with glass ones and now offers guests shampoo and shower gel in small, reusable glass bottles.

Similarly, The Secret Con Dao Hotel and Six Senses Con Dao Resort have made strides by installing water filtration systems to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bottles.

Vietnamese-Funded Secondary School Opens in Laos

The Vietnamese-funded Thong Nhat secondary school was inaugurated on August 31 in Khammouane and handed over to the association of Vietnamese in the Lao central province.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Vu Dai Thang, member of the Vietnamese Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Quang Binh Provincial Party Committee, stated that the school is a gift from the Vietnamese Government, with the central province of Quang Binh serving as the project’s investor. The project aims to preserve and promote Vietnamese cultural identity within the Vietnamese community in Khammouane while providing enhanced educational opportunities for local students.

Thang expressed his hope that, alongside the Laos-Vietnam Friendship School, Khammouane-Quang Binh, the Thong Nhat secondary school would symbolize the two provinces’ special solidarity and comprehensive, enduring cooperation, as reported by VNA.

Inauguration ceremony of the Thong Nhat secondary school in Laos’ Khammouane province on August 31. (Photo: VNA)

Nguyen Van Hung, President of the Vietnamese Association in Khammouane, extended his heartfelt gratitude to the leaders and people of Quang Binh for their generous support in constructing the fully equipped and modern secondary school.

He emphasized that the school would serve as a hub for preserving and promoting Vietnamese cultural identity in Khammouane. By addressing the legitimate needs of the Vietnamese expatriate community, it will focus on teaching, learning, and preserving the Vietnamese language for their children and local Lao students.

The construction of the school, with a total investment of 25 billion VND (1 million USD), commenced in April last year on an area of nearly 3,500 square meters provided by the Lao province to the association. The school boasts a three-story classroom building with a total floor area of over 1,400 square meters, including 19 rooms fully equipped for 11 theory classrooms, one practical classroom, a library, and additional facilities.

On this occasion, Quang Binh donated 150 million VND to the school for the purchase of teaching and learning materials. Following the handover ceremony, the school’s students and teachers commenced their first classes of the 2024-2025 academic year.

Son La Showcases Vibrant Festivities for National Day Holiday

The tourism sector of Son La Province has planned a diverse range of activities to cater to tourists during the National Day holiday, spanning from August 31 to September 3.

A festival celebrating the new rice season is underway in Ngoc Chien Commune, Muong La District, featuring a rice-making contest and artistic performances praising the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the locality’s beautiful landscape.

Various cultural and artistic activities are also taking place across other districts in Son La Province, including a rural market in Yen Chau District, a culture and tourism week in Moc Chau District, and a sports tournament in Thuan Chau District, as cited by NDO.

A performance at the festival celebrating the new rice season in Ngoc Chien Commune, Son La Province. (Photo: NDO)

During the holiday, visitors to Moc Chau Island Tourist Site can partake in activities imbued with the traditional cultural values of local ethnic groups, including the reenactment of a traditional wedding of Thai ethnic people and a fair showcasing local specialties and souvenirs.

They can also join exciting folk games such as stilt walking and the bamboo pole dance.