The border crossings between Vietnam and China have been bustling with inbound and outbound travel as after almost three years the COVID-19 zero border crossing restrictions were finally lifted. Both residents and vendors crossed through Nanxi River Bridge to resume normal business or continue trading but sadly came to a halt in 2020.

Under lifted restriction guidelines, entry and exit requirements consisted of each staff member working at the border having to self-isolate and compulsory PCR tests where required for each individual crossing at the border up to December 2022. However, at times restrictions over the last three years created delays and issues for cross-border trading, as lines of vehicles stretched back as far as China, and some vehicles were still caught in while reopening. However, this didn't stop more than $ 2 billion dollars worth of trade from happening up to September 2022, which is expected to increase even more now.

It is also noted that Hekou port will take some time to recover from the losses of passenger flow experienced during the pandemic, but the reopening is overall a great benefit to both Vietnamese and Chinese people as well as the growing economic development of Yunnan province as stated by the government. Furthermore, the opening of the border is greatly advantageous to Vietnam for them to continue utilizing their foreign trade policy.

 
It was gathered from local authorities in Hekou port that an estimated 1000 visitors crossed the border gates on the day of resumed services. While doing so, Chinese tourists and border officers presented gifts for the first groups of individuals to enter China.

It is also worth mentioning that Vietnam-China air transport has also resumed with the need for a negative PCR 48 hours before departure. This holds great positivity not only for families waiting to reunite with loved ones but also for the Vietnamese airline industry. Vietnam Airlines, Vietnam's national airline carrier, was seen to experience the largest losses during Covid 19 with an accumulated VND28.9 trillion.

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The tourism industry also has great benefits from resuming flights as both Vietnam and China saw a decrease in visitors over the Covid 19 Pandemic. However, the intake of visitors may not happen as quickly as tourism businesses may like. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam states that trying to reach the same number of flights and intake of visitors as before may be difficult, especially for Vietnamese airlines.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam has reported that during the first 11 months of 2022, the bilateral trade between Vietnam and other countries amounted to $162 billion, which is slightly lower than the $165 billion recorded in 2021. It was also noted that China continues to be Vietnam's second-largest export market, with the United States being the largest.

Overall, the reopening of the border crossings between Vietnam and China is a significant step towards economic recovery for both countries. With the restrictions finally lifted, businesses can now enjoy the freedom to transport goods across the border and continue trading as usual.

How VICO can help?

VICO Logistics, a leading logistics provider in Vietnam, offers a wide range of services to support businesses in transporting goods across borders, including customs clearance, transportation, and warehousing. With +32 years of experience in the logistics industry, VICO Logistics is committed to providing efficient and reliable logistics solutions to its clients. 

Our team of experts is well-versed in the customs regulations and trade requirements for both China and Vietnam, which allows us to efficiently handle all aspects of cross-border logistics. We also have established relationships with trusted partners and carriers in both countries, ensuring that your cargo is handled with care and delivered on time.

Whether you are looking to transport goods domestically or internationally, VICO Logistics has the expertise and resources to get the job done right. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help your business succeed in Indochina.