A truck enters the Bắc Luân II border gate. — Photo Đô Thị Quảng Ninh

QUẢNG NINH — Móng Cái City in the northern border province of Quảng Ninh and China’s Dongxing City have agreed to implement a pilot programme extending the operating hours of the Bắc Luân II border gate to facilitate the handling of goods, reduce congestion, and increase trade volume. 

Accordingly, from September 1, the border gate will be opened daily from 7am to 8pm (Việt Nam time), including holidays and weekends (excluding New Year holidays), for a three-month trial. 

Móng Cái also proposed that Dongxing reduce customs clearance fees for businesses, improve efficiency in handling import and export goods at the Móng Cái-Dongxing border gate pair, and adopt flexible goods control mechanisms similar to those at other Việt Nam-China border crossings. 

Regarding the construction of Bắc Luân III bridge, both cities recognised the importance of connecting transportation infrastructure and gradually opening the Bắc Luân III border gate. This development is critical for advancing trade and import-export activities between Việt Nam and China, as well as between Móng Cái and Dongxing. They agreed on this plan and will seek further approval for implementation from higher authorities. 

Additionally, the two sides also agreed to enhance cross-border tourism cooperation, address labour issues, and promote friendly exchanges between the border communities. — VNS