Survey and prepare for customs clearance of goods at Thanh Thuy border gate

Attending the meeting were representatives of leaders of departments and branches: Provincial People's Committee Office, Industry and Trade, Transport, Foreign Affairs, Police, Border Guard, Customs Department, Plant Quarantine Department of Region 6, and Veterinary Department of Region 3.

Thanh Thuy border gate was upgraded to a main border gate by the Prime Minister according to Decision No. 753/QD-TTg dated May 19, 2011. However, on the opposite side is Nam On border gate, Xay Cham Phon district, Bolikhamxay province (Laos). The Lao Government has not yet decided to upgrade Nam On border gate to a main border gate, so the opening ceremony of the main border gate pair Thanh Thuy (Vietnam) - Nam On (Laos) has not been organized.

In addition, the approval of the Border Gate Planning on the Vietnam - Laos border for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 according to Decision No. 1201/QD-TTg dated October 14, 2023, the current status of Thanh Thuy border gate is a secondary border gate, which will be upgraded to an international border gate in the period 2023 - 2030.

At the Thanh Thuy - Nam On border gate, the Vietnamese side has all the functional forces: Border Guard, Customs, Plant Quarantine, roads and necessary conditions to ensure the clearance of goods. On the Lao side, at the border gate, there is only the Police force (Nam On Police Station, Laos). When goods pass through, forces such as Customs, Tax, Forestry... must be present to perform their duties. Roads and necessary conditions are being implemented to meet the clearance of goods.

After the survey, at the meeting, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Hong Vinh directed and requested departments, branches and localities to urgently consult on the procedures and necessary conditions to submit to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and decision to ensure customs clearance of goods in accordance with regulations. Thereby, creating favorable conditions for traders and residents of Vietnam and Laos, especially between Nghe An province and Bolikhamxay province, to exchange and trade goods smoothly.

This is also the basis for upgrading the Thanh Thuy - Nam On border gate pair to become an international border gate according to the roadmap, while ensuring the provisions in Clause 2, Article 6, Decree No. 14/2018/ND-CP of the Prime Minister.