In a recent directive, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged the Ministry of Finance to instruct the customs force to prioritise the swift clearance of fresh farm produce for export.

Designating channels for agricultural products

According to Vi Cong Tuong, deputy head of the Customs Sub-department for Region VI (covering Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces), import-export activities at Lang Son’s border gates have surged since the beginning of 2025, with over 214,000 vehicles processed as of June 4, a 23% increase year-on-year. Total trade value through the province has reached nearly US$33.1 billion, with agricultural goods accounting for a significant portion.

Tan Thanh border gate in Lang Son, the province’s largest agricultural trade hub, is currently processing more than 500 tonnes of durian daily, along with other fruits such as jackfruit and mango, all cleared for export on the same day. To cope with rising lychee exports, Tan Thanh has designated a dedicated lane and expanded receiving areas to handle up to 200 lychee trucks per day. Customs procedures are completed within just 10 minutes.

At Kim Thanh International Border Gate No. II in Lao Cai province, authorities have also implemented special lanes and inspection points to expedite lychee exports to China.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment reported that Vietnam’s 2025 lychee output is expected to reach 303,000 tonnes, up 30% from 2024. While the fruit is exported to more than 20 countries, China remains the dominant market, accounting for 90% of total exports. Rapid, efficient customs clearance is essential to preserving product quality.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien recently met with leaders of China’s General Administration of Customs, agreeing to increase inspection capacity and extend working hours at border posts to minimise delays during peak harvest periods.

For lychee exports specifically, the Ministry’s Plant Production and Protection Department has assigned staff to be on standby around the clock at border gates and testing facilities to accelerate phytosanitary procedures.

Lang Son’s provincial leaders have reiterated their commitment to facilitating smooth customs procedures, especially for fresh fruit exports.

Meeting import market regulations and standards

Deputy Director of the Dong Dang-Lang Son Border Gate Economic Zone Management Board Hoang Khanh Duy noted ongoing coordination with China’s Guangxi authorities to enhance cross-border trade.

However, authorities have also advised businesses to shift towards official export channels, ensure contract-based transactions, and meet strict Chinese requirements on product quality, traceability, planting area codes, and packaging standards.

Mai Xuan Thin, CEO of Red Dragon Co. Ltd., emphasised that meeting China’s increasingly strict food safety and residue standards would boost consumer trust and strengthen Vietnamese products' position in the Chinese market.

Pilot smart border project to be launched at Mong Cai international border gate

Authorities in Mong Cai city in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, in collaboration with Viettel Post JSC, have conducted field surveys and proposed specific plans to pilot the development of a smart border gate at Mong Cai (Vietnam) – Dongxing (China) international border gate pair.