800 container trucks stuck at Vietnam-China border

The Dong Dang International Border Gate has been receiving more than 1,000 container trucks each day, even though it can only process half of that number.

Other border gates in Lang Son have been reporting a similar situation as container trucks carrying jackfruit, durian, mango and dragon fruit arrive in large number and have to wait in the parking area for their turn to enter China.

As these fruits are now in harvest season in Vietnam, exporters are speeding up their delivery to Chinese buyers to ensure they arrive with the best quality.

The Lang Son Department of Industry and Trade has advised exporters to lower the number of containers at the border to reduce congestion. It also suggested they use other forms of transport.

The congestion of container trucks at the border gate has been happening for years, especially in the Covid-19 period from 2020 to last year when safety measures were imposed and thousands of containers had to wait to enter China.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade plans to restrict unofficial trade (lower value goods that cross the border without a great deal of paperwork) to increase official trade, which must be made with contracts, proof of payment and taxes, starting from 2025.

The ministry said that this measure will prevent congestion at land borders and will include more goods in the tax net.