Trade at Nam Can international border gate is bustling again

After the Covid-19 epidemic was basically contained, since May 9, the Lao Government has decided to reopen international border gates, includingNam Can International Border GateThanks to that, import and export activities as well as visits between people on both sides have stabilized again.

At Nam Can International Border Gate, before being reopened, vehicles transporting import and export goods when completing exit procedures through Laos, or from Laos to Vietnam, had to change drivers. There were even times when units had to organize unloading and then reloading goods onto another vehicle before continuing the journey. This caused great inconvenience, especially for agricultural products, each time the goods were unloaded, they would easily be crushed. Not to mention, import and export units also had to bear the additional costs of hiring drivers and loading and unloading goods...

Trucks carrying goods at Nam Can International Border Gate. Photo: Tien Dong

Mr. Phan Van Nham - Head of Nam Can International Border Gate Customs Branch said: The Lao Government's permission to reopen the border gates helps people and businesses operating on both sides of the border travel more easily. At the border gate, there is no need to change drivers, so the customs clearance time has been shortened. At the same time, people's travel is also more convenient than before, especially those who have relatives on both sides of the border.

According to the statistics of Nam Can International Border Gate Customs Branch, since the beginning of the year, there have been more than 35 enterprises participating in customs procedures at Nam Can International Border Gate, of which the majority are enterprises participating in export activities, only a few are enterprises participating in import activities. The main export items are construction materials, rice, corn seeds, fly ash, vegetable oil, diesel oil for cars, asphalt, animal feed, etc.

After the border gate was reopened, the number of people leaving the country were mainly laborers from Nghe An who went to work in Laos; the number of people entering the country were mostlyLaotian studentsstudying at schools in the area, along with people from both sides of the border, visiting relatives after a long period of restriction due to the Covid-19 epidemic...

Trucks carrying agricultural products from the border gate downstream. Photo: Tien Dong

According to Mr. Nham, when the Covid-19 epidemic was still complicated, each day at Nam Can international border gate, only 35-40 vehicles completed customs clearance procedures, while people from both sides were not allowed to travel. However, since reopening, the number of people and vehicles completing customs clearance procedures has increased significantly, with hundreds of people passing through every day, especially on weekends, when Nam Can border market reopens, it becomes even busier.

According to the announcement of the Lao Government, the country will reopen all international border gates for entry and exit activities of Lao citizens, foreigners, foreigners and stateless persons; Allow citizens of countries with bilateral and unilateral visa exemption agreements with Laos to enter Laos without a visa; Citizens of countries without visa exemption agreements with Laos can apply for visas at Lao embassies and consulates abroad or apply through the electronic visa system or apply for visas on the spot at international border gates.

Traffic has increased since Laos allowed the reopening of international border gates. Photo: Tien Dong

In addition, Lao citizens who are foreigners, foreigners and stateless persons aged 12 and above who do not have a certificate of full vaccination against Covid-19 must have a rapid test within 48 hours before leaving the country of departure. When arriving in Laos, they do not need to be tested at the airport or at land or sea border crossings. People with full vaccination confirmation can enter Laos without having to take a Covid-19 test before departure, as well as upon arrival. In case a person entering Laos contracts Covid-19, they must pay for their own treatment.

When the border gate reopens, it means that people and vehicles will be more crowded, so the authorities will also strengthen the inspection, control, and fight against smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across the border. Strengthen the inspection and control of import and export goods, passengers, and vehicles entering and exiting the border gate. In order to prevent, detect, and arrest subjects transporting and trading in smuggled and prohibited goods.

Mr. Phan Van Nham - Head of Nam Can International Border Gate Customs Branch