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Exploring Dongxing city (China) has recently undergone a significant change in its operational procedures that all Vietnamese tourists need to pay special attention to. From March 23, 2026, the Quang Ninh Border Gate Management Board officially implemented a plan to adjust the entry and exit flow at the Mong Cai (Vietnam) - Dongxing (China) international border gate.
Accordingly, instead of completing customs procedures at the traditional Bac Luan 1 bridge area, the majority of Vietnamese tourists, including both group tours and independent travelers, will be redirected entirely to the Bac Luan 2 bridge. This is a strategic move to maintain smooth trade and travel activities as the Bac Luan 1 bridge area enters the construction phase, building a state-of-the-art smart border gate model.
This adjustment is not simply a change in the customs clearance location but also directly affects travelers' travel plans and itinerary scheduling. Specifically, the Bac Luan 1 bridge area now only applies a limited customs clearance regime for certain specific groups, including border residents using travel permits, Chinese citizens holding multiple-entry permits (valid for one year), or customers applying for visas directly at the border crossing.
For the majority of Vietnamese tourists using passports or regular travel documents to visit Dongxing, understanding the regulation "no customs procedures at Bac Luan 1 Bridge" is essential to avoid unnecessary confusion and delays at the border.
At the "new location" of the Bac Luan 2 Bridge, authorities from both countries have agreed to implement strict but flexible control procedures for citizens using all types of valid entry and exit documents as stipulated by law. To accommodate the anticipated surge in passenger traffic after the rerouting, border guards and customs officials at the Bac Luan 2 Bridge have proactively added modern technical equipment and deployed personnel at control checkpoints to minimize waiting times. Traffic management has also been significantly enhanced to ensure the border area remains smooth and to thoroughly prevent localized congestion during peak hours.
All Vietnamese tourists crossing the border into Dongxing (China) via the Mong Cai International Border Gate will complete procedures at the Bac Luan 2 Bridge, instead of the Bac Luan 1 Bridge as before, to facilitate the construction of a smart border gate.
Dongxing is known as a "shopping and culinary paradise" right next to Vietnam, easily accessible to tourists after completing procedures at the Bac Luan 2 bridge. With its bustling border urban space, traditional markets, and modern commercial streets, it is always a magnet for Vietnamese visitors.
A trip to Dongxing wouldn't be complete without experiencing the unique ethnic minority cultures or enjoying the diverse street food map. From crispy Peking duck and steaming trays of dim sum to the legendary stinky tofu and spicy grilled squid, everything creates an irresistible attraction for short trips.
This adjustment comes amid strong growth in cross-border tourism, with over 660,000 visitors since the beginning of the year.
Currently, the Mong Cai - Dongxing tour market is experiencing a resurgence with extremely competitive prices, ranging from 700,000 VND for day trips to around 2.5 million VND for a 2-3 day stay at high-end hotels in the border region.
According to data from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, border tourism routes using travel permits are recovering strongly. At the Mong Cai International Border Gate alone, approximately 660,000 people have crossed the border since the beginning of the year. This figure continues the impressive growth trend of 2025, when the border gate welcomed over 5.6 million visitors, a 7% increase compared to the same period the previous year, affirming its position as a key gateway for trade and tourism in the Northeast region.
Regarding operating hours, the Mong Cai - Dongxing border gate continues to maintain fixed daily customs clearance hours to best serve the needs of the people. Specifically, working hours in Hanoi will be from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, corresponding to 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM in Beijing time. This synchronization of hours helps travelers be more proactive in arranging transportation from neighboring provinces and cities to Quang Ninh to complete customs procedures within the day.
Besides the popularity of Dongxing, the trend of cross-border tourism in China using travel permits also includes Hekou – a beautiful town in Yunnan province. While Mong Cai offers visitors a glimpse into the vibrant life of Dongxing, from the Lao Cai International Border Gate, Vietnamese tourists can easily reach Hekou to explore its ancient train station, dazzling light park, or enjoy Zhejiang-style baked goods and rich milk tea. The diversity of these cross-border land travel routes is opening up affordable yet attractive vacation options for tourists in 2026.
For a smooth trip, tourists should carefully check the expiration date of their travel documents or passports, and regularly update themselves on traffic flow information at the Bac Luan 2 Bridge to avoid confusion. The future transition to a smart border crossing promises a high degree of automation and reduced manual paperwork, but during this transition period, compliance with instructions from border officials is crucial for tourists to have a safe and fulfilling holiday in the beautiful city of Dongxing.
