Pilot operation for tourists to travel through Ban Gioc Waterfall Scenic Area (Vietnam)

On September 15, at border marker 834/1 (Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province), a pilot operation ceremony was held for tourists to travel between Ban Gioc Waterfall Scenic Area (Vietnam) - Duc Thien (China).

Leaders of the two provinces/regions pressed the operating button and then reviewed the Ban Gioc Waterfall Scenic Area. (Source: VNA).

The ceremony was organized by the Standing Office, Coordination Committee of Cao Bang Province (Vietnam) and the Inter-sectoral Working Group, Coordination Committee of Guangxi (China) at the Vietnam - China Bilateral Control Station in the Landscape Area (Area of Landmark 834/1).

Strengthen friendly exchanges

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Trinh Truong Huy said that the cooperation model to protect tourism resources of Ban Gioc waterfall (Vietnam) - Duc Thien (China) is a new model, unprecedented. The completion of the signing of the Agreement on Cooperation to Protect and Exploit Tourism Resources of Ban Gioc waterfall (Vietnam) - Duc Thien (China) by the two countries has great significance in the Vietnam - China relationship, demonstrating the goodwill and determination of both countries to build a peaceful, friendly, cooperative and developed border.

The organization of the Pilot Operation Ceremony for tourists to travel between Ban Gioc Waterfall Scenic Area (Vietnam) - Duc Thien (China) affirms the political trust, promotes the harmony of interests between the two countries, and enhances friendly exchanges between the people of the two provinces/areas in particular, and Vietnam - China in general. This is also an important content in accordance with the spirit reached by the two countries' senior leaders in the Vietnam - China Joint Statement on the occasion of the official visit to China by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (from October 30 to November 1, 2022), Standing member of the Secretariat Truong Thi Mai (April 25-28, 2023) and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (June 25-28, 2023).

The pilot operation of the Ban Gioc Waterfall Scenic Area (Vietnam) - Duc Thien (China) is a premise for the official operation of this Scenic Area in the coming time, promoting tourism cooperation, enhancing friendly exchanges between local people on both sides of the border and the people of Vietnam and China, contributing significantly to promoting the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China to develop and deepen.

Continue cooperation to develop green tourism

Mr. Miao Qingwang, Vice Chairman of the People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China), said that during the meeting between the leaders of Vietnam and China, he emphasized that Vietnam and China need to make efforts to soon put into pilot operation the Ban Gioc - Detian Waterfall Scenic Area. Thereby, building a model of cooperation across the border area and green tourism.

The pilot operation through the Ban Gioc - Duc Thien Waterfall Scenic Area is the first agreement in cross-border cooperation. This will be the beginning of high-level, high-level cooperation between Vietnam and China; continue to cooperate in developing green tourism across the border, developing high-level tourism; promote economic and trade development, cultural exchange, better meet the needs of the people of the two countries...

The pilot operation period is 1 year, starting from 9:00 Hanoi time (10:00 Beijing time) on September 15, 2023 to 16:00 Hanoi time (17:00 Beijing time) on September 14, 2024. Visitors from both sides will cross the Scenic Area at the crossing point of Landmark 834/1. Visitors entering the Scenic Area on both sides will use their passports (no visa required) and entry and exit passes.

Vietnamese tourists (middle) depart to visit the scenic area. (Source: VNA)

During the pilot period, visitors from China will pass through the Scenic Area on the Vietnamese side following the route: Checkpoint on the way back and forth between the Scenic Area - the foot of the waterfall - Saigon Ban Gioc Hotel - Service and culinary area - return to the Checkpoint to return the card and exit to the Scenic Area on the Chinese side. Visitors from Vietnam will pass through the Scenic Area on the Chinese side: Checkpoint on the way back and forth between the Scenic Area - Duc Thien waterfall - shopping street - take a sightseeing car along the road in the Scenic Area - walk along the riverside landscape in the Scenic Area - checkpoint on the way back and forth between the Scenic Area - return to the Scenic Area on the Vietnamese side.

During the pilot period, tourists from both countries must register in advance, in the form of outgoing and incoming groups, with each group not exceeding 20 people. During the first three months of the pilot period, the number of cross-border tourist groups from each side must not exceed 10 groups/day (each group not exceeding 20 people).

The morning opening time of the Scenic Area is 9:00 Hanoi time (10:00 Beijing time), the time to stop for customs clearance for tourist groups is 14:00 Hanoi time (15:00 Beijing time), the time for tourist groups to return to their own Scenic Area is 16:00 Hanoi time (17:00 Beijing time). The stopping time of each group on the other side must not exceed 5 hours, illegal stay of tourists is strictly prohibited.

Vietnamese tourists complete exit procedures to visit the Scenic Area on the Chinese side. (Source: VNA)

Tickets to the Scenic Area during the pilot operation period, visitors from Vietnam to China, the Vietnamese tour organizer must buy insurance for visitors before entering the Scenic Area on the Chinese side, other services visitors must pay for themselves according to actual costs. Visitors from China to Vietnam must buy tickets, the ticket price is 70,000 VND/time/person (including insurance, not including other service fees).

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