Pilot operation of cross-border traffic in the Ban Gioc Waterfall - Duc Thien scenic area.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Trinh Truong Huy stated that the cooperation model for protecting tourism resources at Ban Gioc Waterfall (Vietnam) and Duc Thien Waterfall (China) is a new model, unprecedented in its nature. The completion of the signing of the Agreement on Cooperation in Protecting and Exploiting Tourism Resources at Ban Gioc Waterfall (Vietnam) and Duc Thien Waterfall (China) carries great significance in Vietnam-China relations, demonstrating the goodwill and determination of both countries to build a peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and developing border.

The organization of the pilot operation ceremony for tourists traveling between the Ban Gioc Waterfall (Vietnam) and Duc Thien (China) scenic areas affirms political trust, promotes the harmonious interests between the two countries, and strengthens friendly exchanges between the people of the two provinces/regions in particular, and Vietnam and China in general. This is also an important content in line with the spirit of the agreement reached between the high-level leaders of the two countries as noted in the Vietnam-China Joint Statement during the official visits to China of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (October 30 - 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 (Vietnam) – Duc Thien (China) scenic area serves as a foundation for its official operation in the near future, promoting tourism cooperation, strengthening friendly exchanges between the local people on both sides of the border and the people of Vietnam and China, and making a significant contribution to promoting the development and deepening of the Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Mr. Miao Qingwang, Vice Chairman of the People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China), stated that during the meeting of high-level leaders of Vietnam and China, it was emphasized that both countries need to make efforts to soon pilot the operation of the Ban Gioc Waterfall - Duc Thien Scenic Area. This will help build a model of cross-border cooperation and green tourism.

The pilot operation through the Ban Gioc Waterfall - Duc Thien Scenic Area is the first agreement in cross-border cooperation. This will be the beginning of high-level, sophisticated cooperation between Vietnam and China; continuing cooperation in developing green cross-border tourism, promoting economic and trade development, cultural exchange, and better meeting the needs of the people of both countries...

The pilot operation period is one year, starting from 9:00 AM Hanoi time (10:00 AM Beijing time) on September 15, 2023, to 4:00 PM Hanoi time (5:00 PM Beijing time) on September 14, 2024. Visitors from both sides will cross the scenic area at the crossing point near Border Marker 834/1. Visitors entering the scenic area must use their passports (no visa required) and entry/exit permits.

During the pilot phase, tourists from China crossing the scenic area on the Vietnamese side followed this route: Checkpoint on the scenic area's entry point - foot of the waterfall - Saigon Ban Gioc Hotel - Service and food area - return to the checkpoint to return their pass and exit back to the scenic area on the Chinese side. Tourists from Vietnam crossing the scenic area on the Chinese side followed this route: Checkpoint on the scenic area's entry point - Duc Thien Waterfall - shopping street - take a sightseeing tour by vehicle along the scenic area's road - walk along the scenic riverside within the scenic area - checkpoint on the scenic area's entry point - return to the scenic area on the Vietnamese side.

During the pilot phase, tourists from both countries will register in advance, in the form of outbound and inbound groups, with each group not exceeding 20 people. In the first three months of the pilot phase, the number of cross-border tourist groups from each side will not exceed 10 groups per day (each group not exceeding 20 people).

The scenic area opens at 9:00 AM Hanoi time (10:00 AM Beijing time), customs clearance for tour groups ends at 2:00 PM Hanoi time (3:00 PM Beijing time), and tour groups return to their respective scenic areas at 4:00 PM Hanoi time (5:00 PM Beijing time). Each tour group's stay on the other side must not exceed 5 hours, and unauthorized stays are strictly prohibited.

During the pilot operation period, for Vietnamese tourists entering China, the Vietnamese tour organizer must purchase insurance for tourists before they enter the scenic area on the Chinese side. Other services must be paid for by the tourists themselves according to actual costs. For Chinese tourists entering Vietnam, a ticket costs 70,000 VND per person (including insurance, excluding other service fees).