Discussing the content of cooperation in connecting transport infrastructure between Vietnam and Guangxi

On November 26, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Construction, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh received and worked with the Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China).

View of the working session. Photo: Ministry of Construction

At the meeting, providing information on the transport connection situation between Vietnam and Guangxi (China), Minister Tran Hong Minh said that since 2013, the two countries have negotiated and completed the construction of Ta Lung 2 road bridge in Cao Bang and Bac Luan 2 bridge in Quang Ninh. Currently, there are 19 freight transport routes and 23 passenger transport routes through 5 pairs of border gates connecting Vietnam - Guangxi and through Guangxi to other localities of China.

Since May 25, 2025, the railway sector of the two countries has restored international passenger train operations between Vietnam and China via the Dong Dang railway border gate. The volume of goods transported by rail via the Dong Dang - Bang Tuong international border gate in 2024 will reach 394 thousand tons, and in the first 10 months of 2025, it will reach 698.4 thousand tons.

"These figures affirm the role of Guangxi as Vietnam's most important transport gateway to China," Minister Tran Hong Minh emphasized.

On the side of Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) Vi Thao assessed that in recent years, under the strategic direction of the two Parties, two States and strong support from the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction, cooperation in connecting transport infrastructure between Vietnam and Guangxi has achieved many outstanding results.

Regarding railways, the Vietnam-China international train route has been restored and is operating stably. Regarding highways, currently 7/11 land border gates have been connected to the highway system.

In addition, the Gulf of Tonkin Port (Guangxi) has opened 34 container shipping routes connecting to 5 ports on the Vietnamese side. From Nanning city, flights have been opened to Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong. In the near future, it is expected that flights from Nanning to Hanoi will be reopened.

The Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) affirmed that this result is an important foundation for the two sides to continue to deepen their cooperative relationship in the coming time.

Here, the Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) has made a number of proposals hoping to receive attention and support from the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction in the coming time.

Accordingly, the two sides will prioritize promoting the construction of a standard gauge railway from Dong Dang to Hanoi, while simultaneously coordinating to synchronously implement projects related to the Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong railway route.

In addition, Guangxi wants to speed up the construction of the Tra Linh - Dong Dang expressway and the expressway section from Chi Lang to Huu Nghi border gate, and at the same time study and plan additional expressways connecting with Guangxi.

In addition, the Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) also emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in the fields of port operations, transport route exploitation and logistics, and promoting the coordinated development of inland waterway transport and maritime transport of the two sides.

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) hopes that Vietnam will continue to support the construction of the Sino-Vietnamese Joint Laboratory (signed between Guangxi Beibu Gulf Investment Group and Hanoi University of Civil Engineering) on ​​smart disaster prevention technology in transportation, as well as infrastructure maintenance and exploitation techniques.

Regarding the cooperation contents proposed by Guangxi, Minister Tran Hong Minh said that currently, the Chinese Government is supporting Vietnam in planning the standard gauge railway lines Dong Dang - Hanoi and Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong. At the same time, Vietnam is also organizing the preparation of a pre-feasibility study report for these two railway lines, as a basis for submitting to the National Assembly for consideration and approval of the investment policy, with the goal of starting construction before 2030.

Regarding the Tra Linh - Dong Dang expressway projects and the Chi Lang - Huu Nghi border gate section, the Minister emphasized that these are important projects not only for Vietnam but also contribute to strengthening the connection of the Vietnam - Guangxi border area, creating favorable conditions for the circulation of goods, trade, tourism and economic cooperation between the two sides.

The Minister of Construction also highly appreciated the role of the Gulf of Tonkin Port - one of China's major international transit ports, with a network connecting more than 200 ports worldwide.

However, the export of agricultural products through the Dong Dang railway border gate is still stuck because Bang Tuong station has not yet arranged quarantine, forcing goods to be transshipped through Po Chai, increasing costs. Vietnam has asked Guangxi to recommend China to soon invest in a quarantine system right at Bang Tuong station to facilitate trade.

The Ministry of Construction supports the two countries' shipping enterprises to increase the frequency of container transport routes between the Gulf of Tonkin Port and Hai Phong Port as well as other major ports in Vietnam; research and report to competent authorities on the pilot model of combined inland waterway and sea transport on the Nanning - Can Tho route; promote investment cooperation, logistics and warehousing at deep-water ports in Vietnam, on the basis of compliance with the laws of each country, in accordance with Vietnam's international commitments and international practices.

Regarding the construction of the Sino-Vietnamese Joint Laboratory, Minister Tran Hong Minh welcomed the cooperation between Guangxi Beibu Gulf Investment Group and Hanoi University of Civil Engineering. This is a strategic field, in line with Vietnam's priority orientation on digital transformation, sustainable infrastructure development and enhancing science and technology capacity.

Also at the working session, the leaders of the two sides witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperation documents between Vietnam National Shipping Lines and the Gulf of Tonkin Port Group, Guangxi (China).

Regarding the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China, it has been continuously strengthened over the years; exchanges and cooperation between Vietnam and Guangxi have developed and become effective.

Regarding political and foreign exchanges, Guangxi and Vietnamese localities, especially Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang and Tuyen Quang, regularly maintain two periodic cooperation mechanisms such as: early spring meetings between Provincial Party Secretaries and the Joint Working Committee mechanism...

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/ban-thao-noi-dung-hop-tac-ket-noi-ha-tang-giao-thong-giua-viet-nam-quang-tay-20251126200612721.htm