Promoting the role of Huu Nghi International Border Gate in enhancing Vietnam-China relations

A delegation of Vietnamese journalists and scholars visits and learns about the Huu Nghi- Youyi Quan border gates between Vietnam and China. (Photo: Minh Duc)

From past to future

As part of the "Vietnam-China Friendship Journey" program held from December 22-29, Vietnamese journalists and scholars had the opportunity to visit and learn about the Huu Nghi- Youyi Guan border gates between Vietnam and China.

As General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong once affirmed, the world has only one border area with a gate named Huu Nghi (Friendship) by Vietnam, and China has agreed to name it "Youyi Guan".

Another unique aspect is the name "Huu Nghi", which reflects the long-standing traditional friendship between the people of Vietnam and China – “both comrades and brothers”.

Geographically, Huu Nghi International Border Gate is located on National Highway 1A, 17km North of Lang Son city and 171km Northeast of Hanoi.

This area features milestone 1,116, bearing the sacred National Emblem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. It marks the beginning of National Highway 1A, connecting Lang Son province with Ca Mau Cape.

Previously, Huu Nghi International Border Gate was named Lang Quan, Dai Nam Quan, Gioi Thu Quan, and Nam Quan. In 1953, it was renamed Muc Nam Quan, and in 1965, it became Huu Nghi International Border Gate, as it is known today.

Additionally, China renamed it to Youyi Guan (Friendship) at the same time to demonstrate the friendship between the two countries.

The 22-meter-high Huu Nghi Quan building is located at the border gate area. (Photo: Hai Yen)

Currently, Huu Nghi International Border Gate is one of the largest and most important international land border gates on the Vietnam-China border, covering an area of 124 hectares, with the central area planned for 26.5 hectares.

It is considered a crucial gateway for promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and Vietnam in particular, and ASEAN countries in general.

Historically, this border gate is where the meeting between Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and President Ho Chi Minh took place on April 9, 1964.

Notably, the 22-meter-high Huu Nghi Quan building houses an exhibition room displaying the history of Huu Nghi International Border Gate and the development process of the building, showcasing the friendship between the pioneering leaders of Vietnam and China, the traditional friendship, and mutual support between the two nations.

Ms. Li Zijun, Deputy Director of the Foreign Television Center, Guangdong Radio and Television, remarked that the friendship between China and Vietnam has a long history, and the Huu Nghi- Youyi Guan Border Gate is a testament to the affection between the people of the two countries.

"The friendship between President Ho Chi Minh and the pioneering Chinese leaders was profound. Meanwhile, Huu Nghi International Border Gate was a place President Ho Chi Minh passed through, and it is also the first stop of the 'Vietnam-China Friendship Journey'. I believe this holds great significance, and I hope the friendship between the two countries will open a new chapter and enter a new phase of development," Ms. Li stated.

Vietnamese journalists and scholars listen to a presentation on the history of Huu Nghi International Border Gate through different periods. (Photo: Hai Yen)

Potential for cooperation

According to China's General Administration of Customs, in the first 11 months of 2025, ASEAN countries remained China's largest trading partner, with total bilateral trade reaching 973.4 billion USD, up 8.5% year-on-year, accounting for 16.6% of China's total foreign trade.

Data from the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam indicates that China has maintained its position as Vietnam's largest trading partner for over 20 consecutive years, with bilateral trade in the first 11 months of 2025 surpassing the entire year of 2024, reaching the highest level in the history of trade exchanges between the two countries.

Notably, among Vietnamese fruit and vegetable products exported to China, durian alone has reached 3.4 billion USD this year, with total exports to China accounting for over 90% of Vietnam's durian export market.

The implementation of building a smart border gate is expected to help Lang Son become a key economic hub in the Northeast and a crucial gateway for ASEAN countries' goods to China. (Photo: Hai Yen)

Currently, Vietnam and China are implementing smart border gate infrastructure at Huu Nghi- Youyi Guan International Border Gate and have made significant progress, aiming to become the most modern and exemplary border gate in the ASEAN region.

Specifically, in December 2025, the Vietnam Customs Department conducted a field survey and worked with the Lang Son Provincial People's Committee to coordinate and accelerate the implementation of the pilot project for building a smart border gate.

Most recently, on December 28, a working delegation from the Lang Son Provincial People's Committee inspected the implementation of projects under the 2025 pilot project for building a smart border gate.

Sharing with The World & Vietnam Report about the importance of the smart border gate for Vietnam-China relations, Mr. Gu Jingsong, Deputy Director of the Voice of Beibu Gulf, Guangxi Radio and Television, stated that building a smart border gate will positively contribute to economic-trade exchanges and development between China and Vietnam in particular, and ASEAN in general.

"Currently, China is very interested in building smart border gates, actively applying many artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and smart sciences, thereby making customs clearance processes more convenient and faster," Mr. Gu Jingsong shared.

Moreover, according to Mr. Gu, when goods from the two countries reach the border gate, it does not mean the end of transportation, but rather the beginning of a new order's transportation. Therefore, thanks to the smart border gate, Vietnam and China can engage more closely in logistics, trade, and people-to-people exchanges through more effective, friendly, and intelligent methods to promote the common development of the two nations.

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