Border gates bustling on the first day of the New Year

From the very first day of 2026, the flow of goods through northern border crossings offered a clear picture of active trade, pointing to renewed momentum in Vietnam’s import-export activities. From Mong Cai in northern Quang Ninh province and Tan Thanh in northern Lang Son province to Lao Cai province’s Huu Nghi gate, long lines of trucks undergoing customs clearance reflected uninterrupted trade flows and a determination to sustain growth from the outset.

On January 1, 2026, the first import and export consignments were cleared through Bac Luan II Border Gate in Mong Cai Ward 1, Quang Ninh province, marking a firm start to cross-border trade. To facilitate businesses, functional forces at Mong Cai International Border Gate continued normal operations during the New Year holiday, ensuring that cross-border supply chains were not disrupted.

Cargo clearance across Bac Luan II Bridge was conducted in an orderly manner, with a pre-scheduled mechanism applied to improve efficiency and ease congestion. During the morning alone, 30 export trucks carrying more than 540 tonnes of frozen goods were cleared, along with 12 import trucks transporting nearly 100 tonnes of electronic components, machinery and equipment.

Import-export turnover at the site reached US$11.5 million. At the Km3+4 Hai Yen opening, nearly 100 trucks completed clearance procedures, bringing total trade value through Mong Cai International Border Gate on the first day of the year to around US$20 million.

Busy conditions were also recorded at Tan Thanh Border Gate in Lang Son province. On January 1, 2026, customs officers there ensured clearance for 80 export trucks, mainly agricultural products, with a value of more than US$1 million, while processing 401 import trucks worth US$41 million.

Total turnover for the day exceeded US$42 million. According to leaders of Tan Thanh Customs, import-export volumes on January 2 continued to rise, with turnover expected to reach about US$45 million, indicating a positive trajectory from the start of the year.

In northern Lao Cai province, Vietnam-China trade also maintained its pace. On the first day of 2026, Lao Cai Customs handled 181 declarations for nearly 400 import-export vehicles, with total turnover exceeding US$3 million and state budget revenue of ovef VND11 billion.

Clearance operations at Kim Thanh Road International Border Gate No. II were carried out promptly, with truck convoys lining up from early morning. Inspection and supervision were implemented in a coordinated manner, helping shorten processing times, facilitate agricultural exports to the Chinese market and ensure swift clearance of imported machinery and equipment.

These first-day figures show the scale of import-export activity and underscore ongoing efforts by functional agencies to streamline procedures, support businesses and keep trade flows running smoothly.

From 2025 results to export expectations for 2026

The active trading atmosphere at border gates in early 2026 builds on Vietnam’s strong import-export performance in recent years. According to the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam’s exports totalled more than US$1.94 trillion over the five consecutive years from 2021 to 2025. Exports in 2024-2025 alone generated nearly US$878 billion, thus reaffirming the sector’s role as a key pillar of economic growth.

Export structure continued to be driven by electronics and technology products. Computers, electronics and components reached US$342.9 billion; phones and components US$279.3 billion; and machinery, equipment and spare parts US$237.8 billion. Traditional sectors such as textiles and garments and footwear also made substantial contributions, with respective turnovers of US$179.8 billion and US$108.8 billion.

Vietnam’s import-export sector has repeatedly surpassed major milestones. From US$100 billion in 2007 following WTO accession, total trade rose to US$200 billion in 2011, US$300 billion in 2015, US$400 billion in 2017, US$500 billion in 2019, US$700 billion in 2022 and exceeded US$900 billion by 2025. These gains were recorded amid mounting global challenges, including rising protectionism, intensifying competition and risks of supply-chain disruption.

Speaking to the press, Dr Le Quoc Phuong, former deputy director of the Industry and Trade Information Center under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that global trade prospects in 2026 are forecast to remain subject to considerable uncertainty. Both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have warned that global economic growth could slow due to tighter monetary policies, geopolitical tensions and weakening consumption.

Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has set a target of export growth of over 8% in 2026 compared with 2025, along with a projected trade surplus of about US$25 billion.

The target is widely viewed as challenging, given that exports in 2025 recorded strong growth despite tariff barriers and market constraints. To meet these expectations, the ministry has underscored the need to restructure industry toward higher value-added production, reduce reliance on raw-material exports, and promote sectors with advanced technologies and stronger innovation capacity. At the same time, more effective use of free trade agreements, market diversification and enhanced trade-remedy capacity continue to be identified as key pillars of Vietnam’s export strategy.

Vietnam-China border trade fair 2025 to open in Lao Cai

VOV.VN - The Vietnam-China international trade fair 2025 is scheduled to take place at the Kim Thanh Exhibition Centre in Lao Cai province from November 20 to 24, aiming to promote trade and cooperation among businesses from Vietnam, China, and other Asian countries.