A ceremony was held on Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the international road passenger transport route between the Ma Lù Thàng border gate in Việt Nam's Lai Châu Province and the Jin Shuihe border gate in China’s Yunnan Province. — VNA/VNS Photo

LAI CHÂU — The international road passenger transport route between the Ma Lù Thàng border gate in Việt Nam's Lai Châu Province and the Jin Shuihe border gate in China’s Yunnan Province has been opened to traffic following a ceremony held on Tuesday.

Two transportation companies of Việt Nam and China will offer the regular service. Two 29-seat buses of a Vietnamese company will shuttle between the two sites daily.

The service has been launched in line with a protocol between the Vietnamese and Chinese governments on the implementation of a bilateral road transport agreement signed on October 11, 2011.

In his remarks, Deputy Director of Lai Châu Province’s transport department Nguyễn Văn Hưởng said the route will help satisfy the travel demand of border residents, and promote tourism of both sides.

The official expressed his hope for further transport cooperation between the two localities, contributing to the sustainable development of the Việt Nam-China friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

The department asked the company to complete procedures in order to put its vehicles into service. — VNS