Vietnam, China pilot exploitation of Ban Gioc - Duc Thien mining area for 1 year

The Ban Gioc - Duc Thien waterfall scenic area on the Vietnam - China border will officially start a pilot operation from 9am tomorrow, September 15.

In late autumn, the scenery around Ban Gioc waterfall is as beautiful as a fairy painting - Photo: NONG THANH TOAN

According to the agreement just reached between Vietnam and China, the Ban Gioc waterfall (Vietnam) - Detian (China) scenic area will be operated on a pilot basis for one year.

Pilot time from 9:00 a.m. Hanoi (10:00 a.m. Beijing) on ​​September 15, 2023 to 4:00 p.m. Hanoi (5:00 p.m. Beijing) on ​​September 14, 2024.

During this time, visitors from both countries must register in advance if they want to visit, with each group not exceeding 20 people. Vietnamese and Chinese citizens do not need a visa, but need a passport or travel document to complete exit and entry procedures.

During the first three months of the pilot, the number of tourist groups from Vietnam and China will not exceed 10 groups/day each side. From the fourth month onwards, no more than 500 people from each side will travel to the scenic area each day.

Because it is still a pilot project, for the next year, there will temporarily be no third-country tourists entering the Ban Gioc - Duc Thien waterfall landscape area.

At the main paths and attractions in the Vietnam side of the landscape, Vietnam installed a number of guard posts and many surveillance cameras along with warning signs. If security and safety issues arise, the pilot will be immediately stopped.

Morning opening hours are 9am and customs clearance closes at 2pm daily Vietnam time. Visitors must return to the other side of the border by 4pm and may not visit for more than 5 hours.

During the pilot period, Vietnamese tourists are exempt from ticket fees, while each Chinese tourist must pay 70,000 VND/person, excluding other service fees.

The pilot operation of the Ban Gioc - Duc Thien waterfall landscape area is of great significance, aiming to implement the common perception of the two countries' senior leaders during General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's visit to China in late October and early November 2022.

This also demonstrates the goodwill and determination of both countries to build a peaceful, friendly and cooperative Vietnam-China border.

The scenic area is expected to become a model of cross-border tourism and green tourism, unprecedented in the border area, promoting understanding, friendly exchanges and substantive cooperation between localities of Vietnam and China.

tuoitre.vn