The Vinh Xuong international land and waterway border gate is in Vinh Xuong commune of Tan Chau town, An Giang province. Photo: VNA

The Vinh Xuong international land and waterway border gate, located on the borderline with Cambodia, was officially opened in Vinh Xuong commune of Tan Chau town, the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, VNA reported.

The People’s Committee of An Giang Province (Vietnam) collaborated with the Kandal Provincial Administration (Kingdom of Cambodia) to organize the ceremony on February 23.

Previously, on November 26 of 2021, the Vietnamese Government issued Resolution 146/NQ-CP to open Vinh Xuong International Road Border Gate and merge it with the Vinh Xuong International Waterway Border Gate.

The People's Committee of An Giang Province was assigned to chair and work with relevant ministries and departments to continue to complete the investment in infrastructure construction, arranging forces and equipment at the border gate area in accordance with the law.

The new facility was formed basing on the merger of the Vinh Xuong international land border gate with the Vinh Xuong international waterway border gate.

Addressing Vietnamese and Cambodian officials, Huynh Cong Huan, director of the An Giang provincial Department of External Affairs, said the Vinh Xuong - Kaorm Samnor border gate pair on the banks of the Mekong River is a gateway for trade between the Vietnamese province and Kandal province of Cambodia.

Vinh Xuong and Kaorm Samnor were recognised as international waterway border gates by Vietnam in 1995 and international border gates by Cambodia in 2001.

The official opening of the two as both land and waterway facilities is a significant event marking a new start in the friendship and cooperation for common development between the two countries, including the two provinces, he noted.

In 2022, the value of trade through the Vinh Xuong - Kaorm Samnor border gates approximated USD 700 million, compared to about USD 500 million in 2010.

The number of people crossing the border gates, including tourists from other countries, has also increased year on year and reached nearly 300,000 in 2022. The ports of entry have also welcomed a number of tourist vessels and major cargo ships.

At the opening ceremony. Source: Dtinews

The opening of the two international border gates is expected to create an important precondition for both sides to attract investment, upgrade infrastructure, and devise appropriate mechanisms and policies for facilitating cross-border economic activities, transport, and tourism, thus contributing to socio-economic development in An Giang and Kandal, as well as other border localities of Vietnam and Cambodia.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee, Nguyen Thanh Binh, said that the new border gate will help boost trade, tourism and attract more investment in the two countries.

"The opening of this new border gate is a significant event marking a new start in the friendship and cooperation for common development between the two countries, including the two provinces," he noted.

An Giang is considered an economic and trade centre linking Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho and Phnom Penh, and an important trade gateway between Vietnam, Mekong Delta cities and provinces with Cambodian and ASEAN members.

The An Giang border economic zone is one of the eight national key border economic zones for 2021-2021-2025 with development partnered with Vinh Xuong, Tinh Bien international border gates, and Vinh Hoi Dong and Khanh Binh national border gates.

With over 80% of land used for agriculture, An Giang has so far recognised over 70 One Commune One Products that hold potential to access Cambodia.

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