Ninh Binh Customs: 30 years accompanying the local development

Since its re-establishment in 1992, Ninh Binh province has experienced more than three decades of strong development in both socio-economic and urban infrastructure. During that journey, Ninh Binh Customs, a late-established unit in the national Customs system, has gradually affirmed its role as an important force in controlling import and export, supporting businesses, increasing budget revenue and promoting the province's international integration.

The delegation of Customs Branch of Region X visited and worked at Hyundai Thanh Cong Vietnam Automobile Manufacturing Factory, Gian Khau Industrial Park (Gia Vien).

The establishment of Ninh Binh Customs started from a practical need: The province needed a specialized agency to manage the growing import and export activities. In March 1995, the leaders of Ninh Binh province worked with the Thanh Hoa Customs Department and proposed the establishment of a local Customs organization. On May 19, 1995, the General Department of Customs issued a Decision to establish Ninh Binh Town Customs, under the Thanh Hoa Provincial Customs Department. Although it was a grassroots unit, this was an important step.

In the early days, there were only 6 officers and civil servants, working in two small rooms borrowed from the Tax Department. By the end of 1996, Ninh Binh Customs had built its own headquarters and put it into operation in April 1998. Although there were still difficulties in terms of facilities, it was in these conditions that the spirit of solidarity, creativity and resilience of the officers and civil servants was fostered and became the foundation for future development.

Since 2001, the unit has been renamed Ninh Binh Customs Branch, with additional functional groups at Ninh Phuc Port and Phuc Loc ICD. In particular, during the period 2004-2008, the Branch was also assigned to manage Ha Nam province, before this province established its own customs unit. By 2016, Ninh Binh Customs Branch was transferred to Ha Nam Ninh Customs Department, and from March 2025, it was renamed Ninh Binh Customs under the Customs Branch of Region X according to the new organizational model of the industry.

After 30 years, from a young unit, Ninh Binh Customs has become one of the bright spots of the Customs system outside the border gate. In the early days of its establishment, only 5 enterprises registered to carry out procedures, but now there are nearly 300 enterprises regularly registering to carry out procedures at the unit with an import and export volume worth nearly 45,000 million USD; budget revenue of nearly 37,000 billion VND. From 2011 to the first quarter of 2025 alone, Ninh Binh Customs has received 591,568 import and export declarations worth 43,460 million USD, budget revenue of 35,155 billion VND.

These figures not only show the workload but also reflect the increasingly important role of Ninh Binh Customs in supporting trade, creating conditions for business development and contributing a stable source of revenue to the local budget.

Not only has Ninh Binh Customs successfully completed its budget collection task, it has also taken the lead in reforming administrative procedures, applying information technology, and gradually building a modern e-customs model. The unit has effectively deployed the automatic customs clearance system (VNACCS/VCIS), the national single window mechanism, and specialized professional software to reduce time and costs for businesses.

With the motto of always accompanying businesses, officers and civil servants in the unit regularly organize dialogue conferences, survey satisfaction levels, receive comments, and thereby improve working processes. The change in thinking from "management" to "service" is a testament to a modern, effective, business-centered administration. In addition, the unit always actively promotes and provides legal support, helping businesses promptly grasp new policies and regulations. Thanks to that, the investment and business environment in Ninh Binh is increasingly open, transparent and more attractive in the eyes of domestic and foreign investors.

Looking back on 30 years of development, it can be seen that the success of Ninh Binh Customs also comes from the attention to building a team of officials and civil servants who are both "red" and "specialized". From 6 initial officials, the unit has now increased the number of officials, with high professional qualifications, mastering modern technology, ready to meet the requirements of digital transformation and international integration.

Internal solidarity, strict discipline, effective Union and Youth Union organizations are a solid spiritual support for each cadre and civil servant. Along with that is investment in modern facilities and technical equipment, such as spacious headquarters, X-ray machines, specialized inspection equipment, and smart management software. A civilized and professional working environment is the factor that retains human resources and motivates each person to commit to long-term dedication.

Not only doing well in their professional duties, officers and civil servants of Ninh Binh Customs also actively participate in social and charitable activities such as taking care of martyrs' mothers, donating blood, supporting people to overcome natural disasters, building houses of gratitude, etc. That shows that the courage, responsibility and heart of the "gatekeepers of the national economy " are not only limited to the headquarters but also spread widely in the community.

Entering the 2025-2035 period, Ninh Binh Customs has clearly defined its goal: Not only to be a local customs unit, but also to be a focal point for promoting trade, connecting Ninh Binh with the global supply chain. In the spirit of Resolution 52-NQ/TW dated September 27, 2019 of the Politburo on a number of policies and guidelines to proactively participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the unit aims to build a Digital Customs - Smart Customs, with a proactive management model, low risk, high efficiency.

To effectively carry out the above tasks, Ninh Binh Customs has determined to strictly implement legal regulations and industry development strategies; reform administration, improve management effectiveness and business satisfaction index; strengthen post-clearance inspection, combat smuggling, protect economic security; develop a team of "qualified and dedicated" cadres, streamlined and effective; proactively cooperate inter-sectoral and inter-regional to expand development space. Ninh Binh Customs also attaches special importance to the role of the business community and the People - those who directly benefit from the quality of public services as companions in all reforms and innovations.

It can be affirmed that three decades is not a very long period of time compared to history, but it is enough to look back and affirm: Ninh Binh Customs has grown remarkably in terms of organization, professional capacity and role in local development. Figures such as nearly 45 billion USD in import and export value, nearly 37,000 billion VND paid to the state budget are clear evidence of that practical and sustainable contribution.

In the coming period, when the three provinces of Ninh Binh-Nam Dinh-Ha Nam are merged, the requirements for the Customs sector will be even higher. In particular, each officer and civil servant must not only perform their professional duties well, but also adapt to the requirements of larger-scale operations, larger workloads, and especially the ability to coordinate and handle inter-regional operations more effectively.

Therefore, it is necessary to continue to build Ninh Binh Customs into a unit strong enough in organization, with enough expertise, and enough courage to play a central and leading role in the entire region. Customs is not only a force controlling import and export goods, but also a reliable, friendly, and professional "companion" of the business community, a driving force to promote economic institutional reform in the locality.

In the context that Ninh Binh province is aiming to become a green, smart and sustainable growth pole of the Red River Delta, customs modernization, comprehensive digital transformation and building a smart customs model are vital tasks. Ninh Binh Customs will strive to promote its 30-year tradition to continue to pioneer in implementing the Vietnam Customs Development Strategy for the period 2021-2030, closely linked to the local socio-economic development strategy.

With a solid foundation, a team of increasingly brave and creative staff, and strong support from the Party Committee, government, businesses and people, Ninh Binh Customs will certainly continue to be an important fulcrum for the socio-economic development of the province in the new period, contributing to deep integration, sustainable development and affirming the country's position in the global value chain.

Nguyen Thom - Anh Tuan

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/hai-quan-ninh-binh-30-nam-dong-hanh-cung-su-phat-trien-cua-557785.htm