New Overland Border Channel Opens Doors to China-Vietnam Travel and Trade

tourists walking towards the Dongxing Port in South China's

Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

A new overland passenger border-crossing channel has been launched between China and Vietnam, marking a significant step in enhancing bilateral cooperation and boosting people-to-people exchanges. Connecting China’s Dongzhong Port in Guangxi to Vietnam’s Hoanh Mo Port in Quang Ninh province, the new route is set to facilitate smoother travel and trade between the two neighboring countries.

The newly launched channel is designed to handle up to 500,000 passenger crossings and 30,000 passenger vehicle trips annually. This new border-crossing channel is expected to create fresh momentum for tourism, cultural exchanges, and commerce, fostering closer ties between China and Vietnam.

Dongzhong Port, located in Fangchenggang city in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Hoanh Mo Port, situated on the Vietnamese side of the river, are geographically close, but the ports have not been open to tourists in the past. This new channel will help change that, providing more opportunities for travelers and businesspeople from both sides to cross the border with greater ease.

As part of China’s broader strategy to promote people-to-people exchanges, the country has been making efforts to adjust and optimize its visa-free transit policies, particularly with its ASEAN neighbors. In a recent move, China introduced a policy that allows tour groups from ASEAN countries to visit Xishuangbanna, a popular destination in Yunnan province, without a visa for stays of up to six days. This policy is just one example of China’s commitment to improving travel accessibility and enhancing tourism cooperation within the region.

The opening of the Dongzhong-Hoanh Mo border channel will not only support tourism and cultural exchanges but also contribute to the growing economic cooperation between China and Vietnam. With the ease of movement between the two countries, more Vietnamese tourists are expected to visit China, and vice versa, creating new opportunities for both nations in areas such as trade, tourism, and investment.

This new border channel is expected to open new doors for cross-border tourism, trade, and cultural exchange, offering a brighter future for travelers and businesses looking to explore the rich offerings of both China and Vietnam. As the region’s connections continue to strengthen, the flow of tourists and goods between the two countries is poised to rise, benefiting both economies and fostering closer ties within Southeast Asia.