(VOVworld) – Trade activities in border areas between Vietnam and China have been affected in the past month by China’s illegal placement of oil rig Haiyang 981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone, but according to VOV’s Tu Minh, border crossings in Quang Ninh seem as busy as ever. Let’s join our reporter as he checks on the real situation there.

Mong Cai Border Market isrolling along normally

The first leg of Minh’s trip along the Quang Ninh border is the Hoanh Mo border gate in Binh Lieu district. Shops, inns, and services in border areas are operating as usual on highway 18C between the Tien Yen T-junction and Hoanh Mo. In the sultry heat of early summer hundreds of people are waiting for their cargo trucks to check customs. On the first day of June, 15 cargo containers are uploading agricultural and industrial products at Hoanh Mo. Le Thanh Hung, head of the Export-Import Procedure Team of the Hoanh Mo customs branch, says: “these days, export-import activities at Vietnam’s Hoanh Mo border crossing and China’s Dong Zhong border gate are normal. Most exports are frozen products, while imports are household items. People of both countries keep crossing the border to do business or visit friends.”

Agricultural and industrial products are uploaded in boats.

Trade also is brisk at the Bac Phong Sinh and Ly Huo border gates. According to the Bac Phong Sinh Customs Branch, in the first 20 days of May tax revenues totaled more than 290,000 USD, up 147% from the previous month. In addition to frozen seafood, the volume of garment accessories and materials for bamboo mat production and construction has increased sharply. As a result, the hours of operation have been extended to 6 hours a day. Pham Van Hai, an official of the Bac Phong Sinh Customs Branch, says customs clearance has been streamlined. He added: “transactions are running normally at Bac Phong Sinh border gate these days. Export-import volume has increased since last month. The border guard, customs, and quarantine teams have optimized conditions for enterprises and individuals of both countries to do business.”

Tax check to go through at a border check point

Tourism, services, and production are rolling along normally. The flow of Chinese tourists to Mong Cai City is steady. The Loi Lai 5-star international hotel complex receives about 200 Chinese travelers a day and organizes regular tours to Ha Long Bay. Nguyen Hong Son, Deputy Director General of Loi Lai International Hotel, noted: “since the beginning of last month, the number of tourists staying at our hotel has grown to about 3,000 guests a month - 100 per day. Our rooms are filled to about 60% of capacity. Chinese people account for 70% of our business. Things have improved so much since late last year, that we are planning to build another 100 rooms.”

At Bac Luan border gate, many tourists and businessmen are passing through. The local customs teams have increased their working hours. Since the beginning of May, 1,000 containers of goods have been exported through the Bac Luan border gate. Nguyen Tien Dung, Vice Chairman of the Mong Cai People’s Committee, says activity remains normal in local border areas and Mong Cai remains a welcoming destination for investors and tourists.