Locals were hopeful when the ground-breaking ceremony was held in Tra Linh town, Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province. Just a few days ago, the Tra Linh border crossing was upgraded to an international border gate. That means Tra Linh will become an economic center of Cao Bang province.

Phan Van Tung, a resident of Coc Cang hamlet in Tra Linh town, said development of the border gate economy will give locals like him more job opportunities.

“Once the state-invested expressway is inaugurated, we can travel more easily. The route running through Tra Linh International Border Gate will pass in front of my house and through my hamlet,” said Tung, affirming, “All of us enthusiastically support the project. The Government’s large investment in the road will facilitate trade between Vietnam and China.”

Hoang Van Thuy, another resident of Trung Khanh district, said that the expressway is the wish of Cao Bang’s people because it will shorten driving times.

“It takes 6 to 7 hours right now for trucks to transport cargos from Lach Huyen International Seaport in Hai Phong city to Cao Bang. Once the road is completed, it’ll only take 3 to 4 hours,” said Thuy.

It means traders will have more time to do customs clearance for freight going to Beise and Chongqing of China, and on to Europe. Vietnamese trade goods, especially agricultural products, will get through customs faster, ensuring better quality. Everyone hopes the expressway will be completed soon, said Thuy.

Cao Bang province expects the expressway to become a traffic artery and turn Tra Linh into a hub for trade goods to and from China and other Asian countries. The project will connect economic and political centers with northeastern mountain provinces, economic zones, national tourist areas, and industrial parks and boost local and regional socio-economic development.

Hoang Xuan Anh, Chairman of the Cao Bang provincial People's Committee, said Cao Bang has been calling for investors and will continue to invest and upgrade the transportation system connecting border gates and local tourist attractions. According to Anh, although the border economy has a strong potential, it hasn’t been fully tapped. There was time when unofficial border trade was growing fast.

“With China and Vietnam both moving toward official channels of trade, investment in border crossings and border gates plays an important role,” said Anh.

Businesses operating in Cao Bang, especially logistics companies, expect that once the expressway is in operation, it will reduce time and costs and increase trade. Hoang Trung Du, director of an import-export enterprise in Cao Bang, said that his company is preparing to repair warehouses to store goods accumulating at the border gate to ensure efficient circulation.

“We hope the provincial administration and other agencies and sectors will adopt policies to attract goods to Cao Bang, which will create local jobs and boost local businesses,” Du noted. 

The 93-km Dong Dang-Tra Linh Expressway starts at Tan Thanh border gate in Van Lang district of Lang Son province and ends at the National Highway 3 intersection in Quang Hoa district, Cao Bang province. The road section built in the first phase will allow vehicles to travel at a speed of 80km per hour and is scheduled to be completed in 2026.