UNBREAKING THE "BOTTOM LINE", BREAKTHROUGH IN AN GIANG'S BORDER ECONOMY - Part 1: Border gates open, awakening the "golden vein" of trade

With its strategic geographical location, bordering Cambodia and close to international shipping routes, and possessing a diverse border gate system, An Giang has great potential for developing border trade, creating momentum for rapid and sustainable economic growth. However, the potential will only truly become a driving force when the “bottlenecks” in infrastructure, logistics, and regional connectivity are removed.

Early in the morning, the Ha Tien, Tinh Bien and Vinh Xuong border gates “awakened”. A line of trucks passed through the customs clearance checkpoints, people from both sides were busy exchanging goods, opening a bustling trading day. An Giang is gradually exploiting these border gates as a “golden vein” of trade to create new development momentum, inter-regional connections and international expansion.

Exploiting the gateway position

An Giang has more than 148km of border with Cambodia. Along the border, the system of international and national border gates and many small-scale roads and border markets have formed a bustling trade network. In addition to roads, the province also trades by waterway, especially through the Tien River at Vinh Xuong, opening up flexible transportation routes and reducing pressure on roads - an advantage that not all border provinces have. On the other hand, An Giang has an important strategic position, located in the Gulf of Thailand, acting as a bridge between the southwestern provinces and countries in the Southeast Asian region, expanding international economic exchanges.

Soldiers of Long Binh Border Guard Station and customs officers inspect vehicles carrying goods through the border gate. Photo: DANH THANH

In the period of deep integration, when Vietnam participates in agreements such as EVFTA, CPTPP, RCEP, economic experts believe that An Giang has a great opportunity to transform the above advantages and potentials into real economic value. If proactively linking value chains through border gates and seaports, from agricultural and aquatic production, processing to logistics services, An Giang can completely become an important "transit node" in the Mekong Delta region, and at the same time an indispensable link to expand ASEAN trade flows.

According to Tran Minh Nhut, Head of the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board, in order to effectively promote border gates and promote border economic development, in recent times, An Giang has focused on investing in technical infrastructure at border gates, attracting non-budget projects, developing logistics services, cross-border trade and residential economy. An Giang Border Gate Economic Zone is oriented to develop multi-sector: Industry, trade, services, logistics, urban areas and agriculture, forestry and fishery. Up to now, the province has invested in 7 budget capital projects (more than 347,630 million VND) and attracted 21 non-budget projects (registered capital of 1,224 billion VND), of which 18 projects have been in operation, contributing more than 2,642 billion VND to the budget. An Giang Border Gate Economic Zone is identified as one of the four important economic corridors in the Mekong Delta, contributing to expanding regional trade and maintaining a strategic position.

For effective connection, An Giang is accelerating the construction of the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway. At the same time, National Highway N1 and Chau Doc Bridge are also being invested to connect directly with border gates. The logistics center in Tinh Bien is being planned to welcome the future investment wave.

Important development pillars

In the early September morning, the border sky was still sparkling with dew, the atmosphere at Ha Tien International Border Gate was bustling. Many trucks carrying agricultural and aquatic products lined up to pass through the checkpoint. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Tan Duong - Head of the Border Guard Station of Ha Tien International Border Gate said: "We have increased the number of staff on duty 24/7 to guide and support people in completing their documents. During peak hours, we arrange additional control lanes to reduce the long waiting time for people. At the same time, we regularly coordinate with customs and quarantine to quickly handle arising situations." Every day, 300 - 500 people pass through the checkpoint to complete exit and entry procedures. The value of imported and exported goods at the border gate reaches 200 million USD/year, mainly fruits, aquatic and seafood products.

The atmosphere at Khanh Binh National Border Gate was also quite bustling. I asked a driver transporting agricultural products: “There are so many vehicles, do you have to wait long?” The driver smiled: “Sometimes, but it is better now than before. The authorities handle the procedures much faster.”

According to Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Khanh Binh Commune, Ta Van Khuong, Khanh Binh National Border Gate is expected to be upgraded to an international border gate by the end of 2025. The commune also has an 18.13ha border gate economic zone with many logistics, warehouse and goods transit enterprises. These are favorable conditions for Khanh Binh border trade economy.

In 2024, the total import and export turnover through border gates in An Giang will reach 1.22 billion USD - a significant number for a border province. Key products include: fragrant rice, processed rice; pangasius fillet, frozen seafood products; mango, South American banana; consumer goods, construction materials. The Provincial People's Committee assessed that in the period of 2021 - 2025, the province's border import and export turnover increased, contributing significantly to the province's overall export growth. In August 2025 alone, the total import and export turnover at border gates is estimated at 90.45 million USD, an increase of 6.54% compared to July 2025; of which, exports are estimated at 65.85 million USD, an increase of 5.56%, imports are estimated at 24.60 million USD, an increase of 11.26%.

“The border gate economy is becoming an important pillar of development in An Giang province. The province has been effectively exploiting border gates to promote economic growth, attract investment, create jobs and improve the lives of people in border areas,” Mr. Tran Minh Nhut emphasized.

More than 40,000 workers were created jobs

According to the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board, there are currently more than 40,000 workers directly and indirectly employed by projects and activities at the border gates in the province. According to our records, many households living near the border gates that used to live on purely agricultural production have now opened shops, traded goods across the border, and significantly improved their income. Ms. Thi So Phi - owner of a pharmacy and veterinary food store in Xa Xia quarter, Ha Tien ward, said: "In recent years, my family's cross-border trading has been more convenient. Each shipment through the border gate is no longer cumbersome, the procedures are quick and simple, I can do business with peace of mind."

An Nhien Homestay located in Ha Tien ward is a typical example of the flow of commerce combined with tourism. Ms. Cao My An - owner of An Nhien Homestay said: "Ha Tien's infrastructure is increasingly complete, with more and more tourists coming. Realizing that advantage, my family built a homestay in early 2025, with 7 rooms, accommodating nearly 30 guests. Since its inception, the homestay has been chosen by many guests to stay."

Living near Vinh Xuong International Border Gate for nearly 60 years, Mr. Tran Van Sang, resident of Vinh Xuong commune, said: “In the past, people suffered from floods and landslides. Now that there are solid dykes, growing rice and fruit trees is more convenient. Rural roads are concreted, cross-border trade is more convenient, so income has increased and life has improved significantly.”

Stopping at Vinh Xuong International Border Gate area when the afternoon sun was about to set, we could still hear the sound of motorbikes carrying agricultural products, trucks revving their engines… It seemed like the border was still awake. With many advantages, when the infrastructure is strong enough, policies are clear and businesses participate enthusiastically, in the next 5-10 years, An Giang hopes that the border gates will become international trade intersections, attracting investment capital into logistics, export processing and deep ASEAN connectivity.

(To be continued)

TU LY - FAMOUS THANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/khoi-thong-diem-nghen-but-pha-kinh-te-bien-mau-an-giang-bai-1-cua-khau-mo-loi-danh-thuc-mach-a462754.html