Leaders of Quang Tri Customs Department and units researched and discussed the terrain to deploy the coal conveyor belt system at La Lay Border Gate. Photo: Quang Tri Customs Department

Aiming for the goal of a model international border gate

Together with Lao Bao Special Economic and Trade Zone, La Lay Border Gate Economic Zone with its ideal geographical location forming a development triangle covering a large area of the provinces of Northeastern Cambodia, Northeastern Thailand, Southern Laos with Central Vietnam are very convenient for expanding markets and trading goods. From 2020 to June 2024, La Lay International Border Gate processed procedures for more than 248,000 vehicles entering and exiting, with the import and export turnover at more than 630 million USD, growing faster than in previous years.

With large volume of coal reserves at Kaleum coal mine, Sekong province, Laos, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Laos) has proposed the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam to facilitate Lao firms to export coal to Vietnam across La Lay International Border Gate and transport to ports in the country for domestic consumption or export to third countries. However, there have not yard for loading and unloading of goods at the coal transport route across La Lay International Border Gate. In addition, about 12 km of National Highway 15D is a small road with many steep passes, leading to overloading, low transport productivity that does not meet the requirements and increases transport costs.

Therefore, the implementation of the project to develop the coal conveyor belt system from Laos to Vietnam will not only support the coal export activities of Laos, but also create a regular and stable revenues for the province. Moreover, the increased import and export activities will create and provide logistics services (such as transportation, vehicle repair, accommodation...) at the border gate for residents in the western region of Quang Tri.

Quang Tri Customs Department proposed the project and was assigned by the General Department of Vietnam Customs to research the industry-level scientific topic “Customs control of coal imported via the cross-border closed coal conveyor belt system at La Lay International Border Gate in Quang Tri province. The project has completed basic acceptance and the department makes efforts to complete it at the General Department of Customs level by the end of July 2024.

The “Customs processes for coal imported via the coal conveyor belt system” in the project built by Quang Tri Customs Department on the basis of making the most of the advantages on equipment and technology of the conveyor belt system not only meet current management and regulatory requirements but also aim for a modern customs control model. Quang Tri Customs Department proposed the General Department of Vietnam Customs to soon approve the project and promulgate “Customs procedures for coal imported by conveyor belt system” and approve organizational structure policy of at La Lay Border Gate Customs Branch to meet task requirements in the near future.

To solve the immediate urgent needs in releasing and clearing goods across La Lay International Border Gate, Quang Tri Customs Department has proactively built and operated the “the export and import vehicle management software of Hoanh Son Group Joint Stock Company”. Currently, the software has been operated smoothly, bringing benefits to both the Customs and businesses; and reduced customs clearance time from 3-6 minutes for each of transport. Therefore, the department proposed the General Department of Vietnam Customs to approve the expansion of the software application to other businesses that carry out procedures at La Lay Border Gate Customs Branch and at Lao Bao Border Gate Customs Branch to reduce time, costs and increase accuracy in the customs process for exit and entry vehicles.

Along with the efforts of the Customs industry, the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee of Quang Tri province have drastically directed and oriented policies related to the project of importing coal via the cross-border closed coal conveyor belt system, as well as requested relevant agencies and departments to improve infrastructure at La Lay International Border Gate.

However, with the scale and breakthrough of the Project, there are still many difficulties and need the close direction and cooperation of the local government such as requesting relevant departments and branches to instruct procedures changing land use purposes, early approving the investment policy of the warehouse project in Adeng village, A Ngo commune, Dakrong district - the end site of the conveyor belt system project; proposing the Ministry of Transport and relevant ministries and branches soon approve the project to upgrade and expand National Highway 15D.

Notably, there need the early completion of border gate infrastructure under the approved Planning to make use of modern customs inspection and supervision equipment and machinery provided by the General Department of Vietnam Customs to shorten customs clearance time, improve the effectiveness of fighting against smuggling and trade fraud. At the same time, there need the investment in the construction of National Gate at La Lay International Border Gate to perfect the border gate landscape, aiming for the goal of a model international border gate contributing to promoting local investment and tourism.

My Thuy port area as the lever for trade and service development in Quang Tri province

The investment project to build My Thuy Port Area, Quang Tri was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 16/QD-TTg dated January 4, 2019, as saying that My Thuy Port Area services for Southeast Quang Tri economic zone, and transport cargo to Laos and Northeast Thailand on the East - West Economic Corridor. There are general, container and bulk cargo berths for ships with capacity up to 100,000 DWT.

Currently, on average every day, about 10,000 tons of goods are imported across Lao Bao and La Lay border gates (including about 6,000 tons of imported coal), which must be transported across Hon La seaports (Quang Binh), Chan May (Hue), because Quang Tri does not have a deep-water seaport, so it prolongs the distance and time, and increasé the cost of transporting goods for businesses. Therefore, it is expected that if My Thuy seaport is put into operation, it will transport thousands of tons of goods per day.

On March 25, My Thuy International Port Joint Venture Joint Stock Company officially implemented the construction of phase 1, My Thuy Port Area. It is expected to be completed from 2 to 4 berths with total length of berth of 1,300m, and total wharf length of 1,350m, width of 50m with technical infrastructure and auxiliary works for ships with a tonnage of up to 100,000 tons.

Quang Tri Customs Department has proposed the General Department of Vietnam Customs and the Provincial People's Committee to approve the policy of conducting planning adjustment procedures and land allocation as a basis for implementing investment and construction of the My Thuy Port Customs Branch Headquarters at My Thuy seaport area and Southeast Quang Tri economic zone. To soon prepare for investment in the 2026-2030 period, the department has proposed the Ministry of Finance and the General Department of Vietnam Customs to supplement the planning for the construction of My Thuy Port Customs Branch Headquarters in the mid-term period 2025-2030 and allocate capital for investment preparation.

Quang Tri Customs Department has set up the research team and performed customs control at My Thuy Port to proactively work with My Thuy International Port Joint Venture Joint Stock Company to coordinate and advise on customs regulations for customs operations at the seaport, helping My Thuy port project meet legal requirements as well as practical operations.