TAN THANH BORDER GATE SEES SURGE IN AGRICULTURAL TRADE

Harvested durians available for distribution - PHOTO: TRUNG CHANH

HCMC – Cargo traffic through the Tan Thanh – Po Chai dedicated freight route on the Vietnam – China border has experienced a significant surge, with daily truck volume doubling since late February, mainly with transportation of agro products.

Over 37,000 trucks have been cleared at the border gate since the beginning of 2026, according to the Dong Dang – Lang Son Border Gate Economic Zone Authority. In the first half of March, the average daily traffic reached around 560 vehicles, peaking at over 580 units on March 12 alone.

The primary commodities handled at the Tan Thanh – Po Chai border crossing include agricultural products, fresh fruits and consumer goods. On March 12, export volume reached 8,100 tons of agricultural produce across 197 trucks, while 387 trucks entered Vietnam with imported goods. With the domestic harvest season approaching, authorities anticipate an even steeper increase in trade activities in the coming weeks.

Since December 2025, a one-year pilot program for two-way cargo transport has been implemented across key dedicated routes, including the Tan Thanh – Po Chai crossing. This initiative allows vehicles to collect import goods immediately after delivering exports, eliminating empty return trips.

This move is expected to slash customs clearance times by 20–25% and significantly reduced logistics costs, providing a crucial advantage for time-sensitive agricultural shipments and industrial components.

Source: The Saigon Times