Border trade plays a significant role in the local economy.

On October 11th, the Deputy Prime MinisterGovernmentTran Hong Ha signed Decision 1161/QD-TTg promulgating the Plan for implementing the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region Planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050.

The plan outlines key tasks for implementing the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. These focus on developing dynamic areas, growth poles, important economic corridors, and advantageous economic sectors.

Accordingly, one of the objectives of this Plan is to develop growth poles in the region in Thai Nguyen, Bac Giang, Lao Cai, Son La, Lang Son, and Phu Tho. It also aims to promote the development of distinctive agricultural and tourism product chains and border gate economies.

Specifically, the focus is on developing a system of five border economic zones in the province, including: Thanh Thuy Border Economic Zone, Ha Giang province; Cao Bang Border Economic Zone, Cao Bang province; Dong Dang - Lang Son Border Economic Zone, Lang Son province; Ma Lu Thang Border Economic Zone, Lai Chau province; and Lao Cai Border Economic Zone, Lao Cai province.

Long Sap Border Gate (Son La)

This includes developing three border gates under the border economic zone policy: Long Sap International Border Gate, province.Son La; Chieng Khuong border gate, Son La province; Tay Trang international border gate, Dien Bien province.

Thus, the Plan has mentioned two important border gates of Son La – one of the famous fruit and vegetable hubs of the North. Currently, Son La has more than 274 km of border with Hua Phan and Luang Prabang provinces (Lao People's Democratic Republic). This includes 17 border communes in 6 districts: Sop Cop, Song Ma, Mai Son, Yen Chau, Moc Chau, and Van Ho. In recent years, Son La has issued many policies and guidelines, prioritizing resources for socio-economic development, while strengthening national defense and security, ensuring the development, stability, and sustainability of the border areas.

According to the Son La Department of Industry and Trade, while border trade between Son La and provinces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic still faces many limitations, it has made a significant contribution to promoting production and the circulation of goods, meeting the needs of production and daily life for border residents. The management of border trade activities in Son La province over the past years has contributed to maintaining political stability and social order in the Vietnam-Laos border region.

In 2023, Son La province prioritized investment in upgrading key roads connecting to border gate areas, such as National Highway 43, National Highway 4G, and Provincial Roads 102, 103, and 105; and issued Vietnam-Laos cross-border transport permits for vehicles within the province. The province continued to implement the project to build the Nam Lanh sub-border gate in Sop Cop district; construct a control station and housing for officers and soldiers at the Keo Muong border crossing; and complete the project to build the Na Cai sub-border gate in Yen Chau district.

The import and export of goods and agricultural products through border gates have been maintained and expanded. According to the Son La Department of Industry and Trade, import and export activities at border gates in Son La province have been stable during the period 2018-2023. However, the value of trade remains very low compared to the national average (less than 1 million USD/year), the product structure is still monotonous, and there has been no significant change in the structure of goods or methods of cross-border trade.

Increase investment in border gate areas.

To promote the economic development of border gates, in July 2024, the Son La Provincial People's Council issued Resolution 349/NQ-HĐND approving the adjustment of the investment policy for the project to build the Long Sap main border gate in Son La province into an international border gate.

Accordingly, an investment of 83 billion VND is planned to upgrade the Long Sap border gate into an international border gate, with the goal of developing the border gate area into a center for border gate services and tourism, a financial, commercial, and border service center, and a synchronous and modern infrastructure system.

At the same time, it aims to improve the material and cultural lives of the people, and to promote exchange and cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in general, and between Son La province, the Northwest sub-region of Vietnam, and the northern provinces of Laos in particular.

The adjusted investment scale includes the National Gate combined with a joint control station, weighing and screening inspection station, quarantine station, customs inspection and quarantine yard, bonded warehouse, preliminary processing yard, unloading yard, exit bus station, entry bus station, export vehicle yard, border guard station, customs station, medical station, green spaces and technical infrastructure.

In addition, the plan includes constructing a road system according to urban road standards and developing technical infrastructure.

The project will be implemented in 2024 and 2025.

Previously, on December 22, 2020, the Government issued Resolution No. 182/NQ-CP on upgrading the Long Sap main border gate in Son La province to an international border gate. On December 31, 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a diplomatic note to the Lao side informing them that the Vietnamese Government had decided to upgrade the Long Sap main border gate in Son La province to an international border gate and requesting the Lao side to promptly upgrade the Pa Hang main border gate in Hua Phan province to an international border gate.

The Son La Department of Industry and Trade will coordinate with other departments, agencies, and the People's Committees of border districts to focus on implementing key tasks and solutions, such as continuing to maintain the dissemination of regulations on border trade (Decree No. 14/2018/ND-CP dated January 23, 2018, detailing border trade activities; Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP dated May 15, 2018, detailing some articles of the Law on Foreign Trade Management...).

In addition, coordinate with functional forces and the People's Committees of border districts to monitor the border trade situation at border gates and crossings in the province; review the current state of border trade infrastructure.

Maintain cooperative relationships and information exchange with the Departments of Industry and Trade of the northern provinces of Laos; support the enhancement of the competitiveness of businesses and cooperatives in the province. Continue to implement national and local industrial promotion programs and projects.

Continue to coordinate with departments and People's Committees of districts and cities to organize trade promotion programs inside and outside the province (Safe Agricultural Products Week, direct and online business networking conferences, etc.) to support businesses in promoting, introducing, and connecting the consumption of goods and products...

Lan Phuong