Vietnamese firms shipped just US$509-million worth of goods to China through the border, a 87 percent dive year-on-year, according to customs data.

Imports from China dropped by 52.5 percent to $3.64 billion.

Containers stuck near the Vietnam-China border in Lang Son Province in December 2021.

China’s zero-Covid strategy and tightened control of cross-border movement have had the biggest effect on trade, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said.

Lack of transport, logistic and cross-border trade infrastructure worsened the situation, it added.

Though trading through key border gates in the northern provinces of Lao Cai and Lang Son has resumed, customs clearance has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.

At Lang Son’s Tan Thanh Border Gate, Vietnam’s main point for fruit export to China, only 100 vehicles get customs clearance a day, a third of the pre-pandemic level.

The ministry has warned that the border congestion could escalate if no measures are taken.

China was Vietnam’s largest partner last year, with bilateral trade reaching $166 billion.

Vietnam exported $56 billion worth of goods to China, its second largest import market, last year.

Trading through the border accounted for $42 billion, 37 percent of it being Vietnamese exports.

Agricultural produce and electronics components are Vietnam’s top export items to China.

First Border Hoa Sim Festival to be held in Mong Cai

The first Border Hoa Sim (Rose myrtle) Festival will be held in Hai Son commune, Mong Cai city, in the northern province of Quang Ninh from May 14-15.

Bac Giang’s lychee export assisted via Lang Son’s border gates

(BGO) - On May 10, the Vice Chairman of Bac Giang provincial People’s Committee (PPC) Phan The Tuan had a working session with the Lang Son PPC about assistance and linkage to export lychee to China. He was received by Vice Chairwoman of Lang Son PPC Doan Thu Ha.

Quang Ninh sets up “green zones” for smoother border trade

The northeastern border province of Quang Ninh is setting up “green zones” and increasing discussion with the Chinese side to stabilise import-export activities through border gates, amid different Covid-19 prevention and control measures between the two sides.

Volunteers at Ukraine border: “Because we are compatriots”

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Vietnam, Chinese province eye to build safe export process at border gates

 Representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade has coordinated with authorities of China’s Yunnan province in holding a teleconference on customs clearance of goods and pandemic prevention and control cooperation at border gates between the two sides.

Source: VnExpress