China, Vietnam increase border trading hours

Vietnam and China have agreed to increase trading hours at the Huu Nghi Border Gate by two hours, to 8 p.m. daily, amid rising imports to Vietnam.

After the Lunar New Year holiday in February there has been rising need for trading and there is some overload, said Hoang Khanh Duy, deputy head of the Management Board of Dong Dang – Lang Son Border Gate in the northern province of Lang Son.

On March 16 there were 1,000 trucks waiting to cross the border on the Chinese side of Huu Nghi Border Gate, mostly carrying food ingredients, machines and car parts.

Customs officials from both countries agreed to increase trading time by two hours starting March 17, and the next day the overload dropped to 500 trucks.

Vietnam saw imports rise 18% year-on-year to $54.6 billion in the first two months. China was the biggest import market accounting for $21 billion, up 51%.

(Source: https://e.vnexpress.net/)