In the run-up to the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, customs clearance at China’s Youyi Guan border gate in Guangxi province, adjacent to Vietnam’s Huu Nghi international border gate in Lang Son province, has sped up as cross-border traffic surges.

An overview of smart border gate pair of Huu Nghi (Vietnam) – Youyi Guan (China).

More than 2,200 trucks passed through the checkpoint on January 28, underscoring stronger year-end demand for cross-border trade.

Since the beginning of this year, the “fast-track” clearance model at Youyi Guan has been expanded to cover not only vehicles but also foreign drivers and accompanying staff.

The checkpoint is the first in China to include foreign vehicles and drivers in the border control force’s fast-track clearance system.

Under the new process, once pre-registration is completed, foreign drivers and staff can complete clearance procedures through automated devices such as document scanning, fingerprint collection and facial recognition, eliminating the need for passport stamping.

As a result, inspection time per truck has been cut sharply from about one minute to roughly 15 seconds.

The streamlined procedures significantly improve convenience, particularly for Vietnamese vehicles and travellers, supporting smoother cross-border trade flows and ensuring goods circulation during the peak year-end season.

Youyi Guan first piloted the fast-track system for cross-border vehicles in July 2020. Following multiple upgrades, the model has undergone three major overhauls, substantially reducing waiting time, optimising inspection procedures and facilitating more efficient border movement.

Con throwing festival highlights cross-border solidarity, culture

The ninth Vietnam–Laos–China “con” throwing festival is underway in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien on December 19, aiming to preserve traditional culture while promoting cross-border solidarity and mutual understanding among the three countries.

 

Vietnam, China pilot two-way cargo transport at int’l border gate pair

Vehicles transporting exports to the opposite country will return with imports after completing delivery. The pilot will run until December 9, 2026.

 

Vietnamese, Cambodian PMs inaugurate Tan Nam - Meun Chey int’l border gate pair

PM Chinh emphasised that the Vietnam–Cambodia border is not only a territorial demarcation line but also a bridge for exchange, friendship, and cooperation, reflecting the spirit of close neighbourhood and the deep, enduring bonds between the two countries and their people.

 

Lang Son, Guangxi look to tighten cross-border economic, security ties

Cross-border trade via border gates, dedicated routes, and customs checkpoints between Lang Son and Guangxi remain stable and smooth, bolstered by upgraded and expanded specialised cargo routes and the ongoing pilot smart border gate project at the Huu Nghi–Youyi Guan international border gate pair, while the restored Hanoi-Nanning passenger train has opened new channels for people-to-people exchanges, tourism, and trade.

 

Deputy PMs join groundbreaking ceremonies for boarding schools in border communes

Permanent Deputy PM Nguyen Hoa Binh attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Son Kim 1 Primary and Junior Secondary Boarding School in Ha Tinh province.

 

New logistics strategy expected to boost Vietnam’s cross-border e-commerce

Under the new national strategy, logistics is recognised as a key economic sector with high added value and a critical service driving economic growth. The strategy leverages Vietnam’s geographic advantages, maritime potential, and trends in digital and green transformation to build a modern, connected logistics ecosystem.