Building Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone into the province's key economic driving force

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has just signed Decision 1958/QD-TTg dated September 10, 2025 approving the adjustment of the Master Plan for the construction of Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone, Lao Cai province until 2045.

The general objective of the adjustment of the Master Plan is to build Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone into a key economic driving force of Lao Cai province. Develop industry, urban areas, trade and services with synchronous technical and socio-economic infrastructure, meeting the needs of a dynamic and sustainable economic zone. Contribute to socio-economic development, improve the lives of people in border areas in the economic zone, on the basis of protecting and promoting the value of natural ecosystems, protecting environmental resources associated with strengthening national defense and security and protecting national sovereignty .

Since the beginning of November 2024, Kim Thanh International Road Border Gate No. II has been expanded with 5 more customs clearance lanes, meeting the increasing demand for import and export of goods.

Vietnam's trading center with China and the ASEAN region

Adjusting the master plan to concretize Resolution No. 11-NQ/TW dated February 10, 2022 of the Politburo on socio-economic development orientations, ensuring national defense and security in the Northern midland and mountainous region to 2030, with a vision to 2045; Decision No. 40/2016/QD-TTg dated September 22, 2016 of the Prime Minister on expanding Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone, Lao Cai province; Decision No. 369/QD-TTg dated May 4, 2024 of the Prime Minister approving the Master Plan for the Northern midland and mountainous region for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050; Decision No. 316/QD-TTg dated March 29, 2023 of the Prime Minister approving the Planning of Lao Cai province for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050; Decision No. 1199/QD-TTg dated October 14, 2023 of the Prime Minister approving the Planning of border gates on the Vietnam - China land border for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 and other specialized planning approved by the Prime Minister.

Another important goal mentioned is to strongly develop the border gate economy with the large Chinese market. Focus on developing the border gate area into a trade, service and tourism center, capable of connecting with localities to form a dynamic trade and tourism service route for the entire region; to be one of the trade centers of Vietnam with China and the ASEAN region.

Import and export activities at Kim Thanh International Road Border Gate No. II are bustling.

Along with that, organizing architectural space, land use planning with synchronous technical infrastructure and social infrastructure systems to meet the comprehensive development requirements of Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone, promoting local potential, surrounding areas and attracting investment.

Creating livelihoods for people, contributing to the arrangement and stabilization of the population in border communes between Vietnam and China. Solving the shortcomings and problems in the approved Master Plan. Providing a legal basis for management and investment in construction according to the plan.

The adjustment of the master plan also determines the nature of Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone as a multi-sector border gate economic zone, an economic breakthrough of Lao Cai province and the provinces of the Northern midland and mountainous region; a development pole of the Northern midland and mountainous region, an economic center of industry, trade, tourism and services; one of the trading centers of the ASEAN region and the Southwest region - China; an area with an important position in terms of national security and defense.

Overall spatial development orientation

According to the Decision approving the adjustment of the General Planning, Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone is divided into 3 regions associated with the scope of international border gates, with their own characteristics.

Zone I - Lao Cai International Border Gate, with an area of ​​2,436.07 hectares; the estimated population in 2045 is 55,000 people. The main development orientations include: Trade center, service tourism, industry, urban and rural residential development, thematic parks... Lao Cai Border Gate Trade Center is strongly developed. Lao Cai will become a center for economic and cultural exchange between the two countries, two provinces and border communes and wards. In addition, this will be a service, trade and logistics center to support the development of Lao Cai international road and railway border gate. Lao Cai Station will become an important international transit station on the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh railway line connecting with Ha Khau Bac Station (China).

Construction of a road bridge across the Red River at the border of Bat Xat, Vietnam - Ba Sai, China.

Zone II - Ban Vuoc International Border Gate, with an area of ​​7,928.87 hectares; the estimated population in 2045 is 49,500 people. The main development orientations include: Trade service center, industry, logistics, warehouses, cross-border tourism, entertainment, resort tourism, golf courses, urban and rural residential development... Industrial production and logistics service areas: Ban Qua Industrial Park; Bat Xat Industrial Park (to relocate Dong Pho Moi Industrial Park); Coc My - Trinh Tuong Industrial Park; production, processing, packaging, and storage workshop area; dry port, logistics... Lung Po area, A Mu Sung commune becomes a cross-border tourism area, cultural and spiritual tourism; Orientation to develop Y Ty urban tourism into a new unique destination, especially the existing central area within the economic zone boundary to develop a community tourism center associated with preserving natural, cultural and architectural values. Build Trinh Tuong into a type V urban area, a center for economic, cultural, commercial and logistics services serving Coc My - Trinh Tuong industrial park and Ban Vuoc international border gate. Maintain and develop agricultural and forestry land funds mainly concentrated in Y Ty and A Mu Sung areas.

Zone III - Muong Khuong International Border Gate, with an area of ​​5,564.86 hectares; the estimated population in 2045 is 15,500 people. The main development orientations include: Developing trade and services, transit of goods, exchange of goods among border residents, agricultural and forestry production, urban and rural population development..., with Muong Khuong urban area as the center to promote regional development. Developing agricultural product processing industry, consumer goods production, packaging, agricultural machinery production... Growing high-tech agricultural crops, fruit tree farms; raising buffaloes, cows, pigs, fish, honey bees and some other poultry.

11 functional areas

Adjusting the Master Plan, Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone orients the spatial organization of 11 functional areas, including: Border gate and customs clearance area; Industrial development area; Mineral exploitation area; Logistics service and dry port development area; Mixed development area; Tourism, entertainment, sports, and theme park development area; Agricultural and forestry development area; Urban development area; Rural residential development area; Security and defense area; Landscape conservation area.

Business customs clearance.

In particular, the international border control management area will arrange construction items according to regulations on land border gate management, for international border gates with a minimum scale of 10 hectares, including construction items such as: National gate; warehouse system; import and export area; dry port; logistics; border gate trade and service area; road and railway joint control house; medical isolation area; ceremonial yard, square, traffic system and technical infrastructure works.

The commercial and service areas of the border gates are located at the border gates and customs clearance areas, including the following functions: Fair and exhibition areas; representative office areas of enterprises and organizations; shopping centers; entertainment; green parks... Orientation to apply the smart border gate model, including: AI application in entry and exit and cargo control; IoT application in operation and monitoring; Security monitoring system; Customer service system; Automation and personnel reduction; Monorail system for transporting containers.

In addition to the 3 international border gates, there are customs clearance routes/specialized roads for transporting goods at Kim Thanh, Ban Quan (Lao Cai ward), Na Loc (Ban Lau commune), Lung Po (A Mu Sung commune), Y Ty (Y Ty commune), Lo Co Chin (Pha Long commune), Hoa Chu Phung (Si Ma Cai commune). Here, construction items will be arranged according to regulations on land border gate management, for customs clearance routes with a minimum scale of 3 hectares.

Investment in synchronous economic and social infrastructure

Decision approving the adjustment of the Master Plan for the construction of Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone, orienting the development of a synchronous and modern socio-economic infrastructure system.

Working group of the Ministry of Industry and Trade surveyed Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone.

In which, the Industrial Parks include: Ban Qua Industrial Park (Bat Xat commune), land area by 2030 is about 107 hectares; Bat Xat Industrial Park, area by 2030 is about 76 hectares (moving Dong Pho Moi Industrial Park to implement the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway construction investment project); Coc My - Trinh Tuong Industrial Park (Trinh Tuong commune) with a scale by 2030 of about 500 hectares, expanding by about 500 hectares in the next phase; Bac Duyen Hai Industrial Park (Lao Cai ward) is converted into other functions of the economic zone when qualified.

The cross-border economic cooperation zone is located in Kim Thanh - Ban Vuoc area. The free trade zone is located in Ban Vuoc border gate area. The border trade zone is developed widely throughout the economic zone. In addition, there are also logistics service areas and tourist areas.

Social infrastructure is invested and built in association with urban areas in the Economic Zone in accordance with the requirements, development trends and overall spatial development orientation of the Economic Zone.

Developing 4 types of transportation to create inter-regional connections

Adjusting the General Planning for the construction of the Border Gate Economic Zone has oriented the synchronous development of the domestic and foreign transportation system.

In which, external traffic, including: Hanoi - Lao Cai Expressway (CT.05), before 2030, complete construction of Hanoi - Lao Cai Expressway with a scale of 4 - 6 lanes. New planning of the connecting route from Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway to Vuoc village with a scale of 4 - 6 lanes. Routes QL.4D, QL.4E, QL.4, QL.70 passing through the economic zone will be upgraded and expanded to at least level IV - III, 2 - 4 lanes. Upgrade and expand routes DT.154, DT.156, DT.158 passing through the economic zone to at least level IV - III, 2 - 4 lanes. Route connecting Sa Pa airport - Lao Cai border gate economic zone: Starting point at Sa Pa airport, ending point at Lao Cai border gate economic zone; Complete construction of the road to at least level III scale, 4 lanes.

Lao Cai Station is an important connection point on the Kunming - Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway route.

Regarding railway traffic, continue to maintain the Hanoi - Lao Cai railway line from Yen Vien station to Lao Cai station with a single track scale, 1,000 mm gauge. Build a rail connection section between Lao Cai station and Ha Khau Bac station (China) with a single track scale, 1,000 mm and 1,435 mm gauge. Build the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh line with a 1,435 mm gauge.

For the waterway transport system, deploy the inland waterway route on the Red River to reach the level III waterway. Plan Pho Moi port and Luc Cau port (Kim Thanh) with the function of a cargo port. Plan 1 passenger wharf along the Red River, a level III boat wharf.

Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway from IC18 intersection to Kim Thanh border gate.

Along with that, building dry ports in the economic zone to support the import and export of goods. In particular, Dong Pho Moi dry port at Lao Cai inland customs clearance location, Kim Thanh dry port in Bat Xat commune, Ban Vuoc dry port at Ban Vuoc international border gate area.

For the internal traffic system, the urban main road network planning has a boundary of 18 - 45 m. The inter-regional road network planning has a boundary of 18 - 36 m. The regional main road network planning has a boundary of 13 - 36 m.

Effectively implementing the Adjustment of the Master Plan for the construction of Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone

To effectively implement the Adjustment of the Master Plan for the Construction of Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone, the Prime Minister directed the People's Committee of Lao Cai province to organize the public announcement of the planning project; issue the Management Regulations according to the Adjustment of the Master Plan for the Construction of Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone, Lao Cai province until 2045 after being approved by the Prime Minister; store and preserve the records of the Adjustment of the Master Plan for the Construction of Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone, Lao Cai province until 2045 that have been appraised and approved according to regulations.

Working delegation of Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry surveyed Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone.

The Ministry of Construction is fully responsible before the law for the content of the appraisal report on the Adjustment of the Master Plan for Construction of Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone, Lao Cai Province to 2045, ensuring compliance with legal regulations.

Central ministries and branches, according to their functions and tasks, guide, inspect and coordinate with the People's Committee of Lao Cai province in the process of implementing the Adjusted Master Plan for the construction of Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone, Lao Cai province until 2045 to ensure the effectiveness of the Central's instructions; comply with, synchronize and unify the approved sectoral plans and Lao Cai Provincial Plan in accordance with legal regulations.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/xay-dung-khu-kinh-te-cua-khau-lao-cai-thanh-vung-kinh-te-dong-luc-chu-dao-cua-tinh-post881804.html