Lao Cai prepared to reopen border gates with China
VOV.VN - The northern border province of Lao Cai is set to completely resume operation of border gates with the Chinese side as of January 8, said Ha Duc Thuan, vice director of the Management Board of Lao Cai Economic Zone, on January 6.
This is a positive sign for cooperation between the two sides due to the impact of the COVID-19 measures imposed the Chinese sides over the past two years, Thuan said, adding that with the full opening of the border gates, both Vietnamese and Chinese citizens will not be forced to face any further COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
The move will see authorities of Hekou border gate allow 200 Chinese citizens to enter the Vietnamese province through Lao Cai International Border gates, while the Chinese side is expected to welcome the same number of Vietnamese nationals to travel to the locality on this occasion, said Thuan.
Most notably, Thuan revealed Vietnamese citizens and drivers only need to make a medical declaration, as opposed to being tested for COVID-19.
The vice director said that the board had already sent a notice to relevant agencies and businesses relating to the resumption, while preparing necessary conditions to maintain smooth import-export and entry-exit activities in line with regulations.
Over the past two years, Chinese restriction measures aimed at preventing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have seriously affected import-export activities through border gates.
Statistics show the import and export value of goods and services via Lao Cai’s international border gates reached US$1.7 billion in the first nine months of 2022, an annual decline of 39.4%.