MONG CAI BORDER TRADE SURGES 45% IN Q1

Container trucks pass through Mong Cai border gate – PHOTO: VNA

HCMC – Cross-border trade through the Mong Cai international border gate in northern Vietnam surged 45% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

Customs data showed that total import-export revenue reached over US$1.31 billion between January and March. Exports accounted for US$754.4 million, while imports stood at US$557.7 million, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

The volume of goods handled during the period hit 592,120 tons, up by 57% year-on-year. At Bac Luan II bridge border gate, 28,902 vehicles transported 363,746 tons of cargo, up by a sharp 172% over the same period last year. On average, 332 vehicles and 4,181 tons of goods passed through the gate daily.

Meanwhile, at the Km 3+4 Hai Yen opening, 7,545 vehicles carried 179,220 tons of goods, soaring 111% compared to Q1 2024.

Key export items included fresh fruits, cassava starch, frozen seafood, and dried nuts. Major imported goods were miscellaneous items and fabrics.

A total of 814 enterprises conducted customs procedures through Mong Cai in the first quarter, up by 254 from a year earlier. Of these, 213 firms were first-time filers. Customs revenue from cross-border trade reached VND604.2 billion, up by 43.3% year-on-year.

Nearly 1.77 million people completed immigration procedures via the border gate in the first three months of the year, with around 879,000 arrivals.

In mid-March, the authorities of Mong Cai (Vietnam) and Dongxing (China) agreed to cooperate on the development of a smart border gate system. Their joint plans include establishing the Mong Cai-Dongxing smart gate, enhancing collaboration at Hai Yen Industrial Park and Van Ninh International Port, and promoting a cross-border e-commerce industrial zone.

The two cities also aim to boost transport connectivity through key infrastructure projects such as the Mong Cai-Dongxing international railway and Bac Luan III bridge.

On April 3, the Mong Cai People’s Committee and Vinhomes JSC broke ground on a privately funded traffic project at the roundabout area connecting Bac Luan II bridge and the Mong Cai international border gate.

The project, around 4.81 hectares, has an approved investment of VND146 billion. Construction is expected to be completed by August 2025. Upon completion, the investor will hand over the project to local authorities for management and operation.

Source: The Saigon Times