Quang Ninh builds smart border gates

Based on the framework agreement on piloting the construction of smart border gates and piloting the construction of the Mong Cai (Vietnam) - Dongxing (China) cross-border economic cooperation zone, Quang Ninh province (Vietnam) has been closely coordinating with the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) to implement steps, promptly complete legal procedures, invest in infrastructure, and ensure that the smart border gate quickly goes into operation.

Comrade Pham Duc An, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, inspected the construction process of a smart border gate at Mong Cai International Border Gate (February 2025).

After being permitted by the competent authority, the former Mong Cai City People's Committee and the People's Government of Dongxing City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) signed the minutes of the meeting on April 29, 2025. In which, they agreed to build a smart border gate project in the area of ​​Bac Luan I and Bac Luan II bridges. After Quang Ninh implemented the 2-level local government model, the focal point for advising on building the smart border gate project was assigned to the Quang Ninh Provincial Economic Zone Management Board to preside over it.

The Provincial People's Committee has also issued decisions to establish a Steering Committee and a working group to build smart border gates and to complete the steering committee and working group after implementing the two-level local government model.

Currently, the working group of the two sides has surveyed the existing infrastructure and equipment in the area of ​​Bac Luan I and Bac Luan II bridges; at the same time, held meetings to discuss and discuss the progress of related work. According to the results of the discussion, the roadmap for building the smart border gate is expected to be divided into 2 phases (2025-2026, 2027-2030). In which, phase 1 will deploy the construction of a control flow for people entering and exiting the country at Bac Luan I bridge on the existing basis, the target users are border residents; build the infrastructure of the smart border gate, build a dedicated flow and install equipment for unmanned autonomous vehicles to operate, build an IOC center according to the framework agreement plan at Bac Luan II bridge.

In phase 2, the Bac Luan I bridge area will expand the boundary of both sides of the border gate to invest in expanding the space and area for entry and exit, increasing the number of automatic control lanes; in the Bac Luan II bridge area, the number of dedicated lanes will be increased and the import and export clearance capacity will be upgraded according to the self-driving vehicle model or the construction of a mono-rail freight transport model depending on the actual cargo flow situation.

Import-export activities through Bac Luan II bridge, Mong Cai international border gate.

During the process of building smart border gates at Bac Luan I and Bac Luan II bridges, it was shown that the application for both human and goods import and export is a new policy, and there are still many difficulties in the pilot implementation phase. Regarding immigration activities, the current state of technology infrastructure is not yet synchronized, not fully equipped with biometric identification systems, automatic screening machines and smart inspection equipment. In addition, the information management system between functional forces and between the two sides of the border is still lacking connectivity, hindering the inspection, comparison and quick processing of documents.

Regarding import and export activities, some groups of Vietnamese agricultural products are still not on the list of products allowed for official export to China, and are strictly controlled in terms of technology, tariffs and other standards, causing great obstacles to the customs clearance process.

The deployment of the smart Mong Cai - Dong Hung border gate is one of the largest border gates in the country, requiring a comprehensive strategy not only in technology but also in organization and human resource development. This is a shift from the traditional management model to a modern, automated and comprehensive digital operating model. This entails high requirements for professional and technical capacity as well as adaptability and flexible coordination of inter-sectoral agencies in the border gate sector and the staff working at the border gate.

From the issues raised for the implementation of smart border gates at Bac Luan I and Bac Luan II bridges, in addition to focusing on removing existing obstacles, it is also necessary to develop a plan to train human resources to meet the requirements of the task, invest in technology infrastructure, cross-border data connection techniques, and ensure national information security. Currently, the Smart Border Gate Project is being received by Quang Ninh province for comments from central ministries and branches to complete.

Manh Truong

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/quang-ninh-xay-dung-cua-khau-thong-minh-3374114.html