Expectations of creating a "boost" from border gate economy - Part 2: Exploiting potential for breakthrough

Room for development from border gate economy

In fact, Quang Tri is a locality with a favorable geographical location and large room for development. During his visit and working session in the locality, General Secretary To Lam requested the province to take full advantage of coastal space, deep-water ports, airports, and international border gates; focus on connecting a diverse and synchronous inter-regional transport system to strongly develop the fields of marine economy, border gate economy, logistics and international trade.

Currently, road border gates are playing an important role in increasing local budget revenue through import-export and border-gate activities. Since 2022, with the emergence of imported coal, import-export and border-gate activities have become more active, and budget revenue has increased dramatically. In 2023 alone, Hoanh Son Group Joint Stock Company transported nearly 3 million tons of coal through La Lay International Border Gate, paid import tax of 384 billion VND and created jobs for thousands of workers.

Cha Lo International Border Gate - Photo: PS

In particular, La Lay is leading among the three road border gates of the province. More than 10 years since being upgraded to an international border gate in 2014, the flow of goods and vehicles through La Lay international border gate has grown positively. The economic potential of La Lay international border gate is a great driving force for the province to choose it as a "lever" to attract and invite investors to build modern traffic infrastructure. Currently, Son Hai Group has proposed to invest 4,800 billion VND to build the Cam Lo-Lao Bao expressway; Nam Tien-Hoanh Son Joint Venture Company Limited is implementing a project of a conveyor system to transport coal from Laos to Vietnam, worth 1,500 billion VND...

Early completion of traffic infrastructure

With the advantage and potential to attract imported goods from border gates in the area, investment, upgrading and completion of infrastructure, especially the transportation system, is very necessary. At La Lay International Border Gate, the upgrading of National Highway 15D is currently causing local congestion. On the Lao side, the 90km-long road connecting National Highway 15D to Sekong coal mine is being repaired, affecting traffic flow. In addition, the damaged rail screening system at Sekong coal mine, along with the construction of a gas station and the site at the Lao warehouse, also makes it difficult to gather vehicles transporting coal - the main commodity at this border gate. The province needs to quickly expedite procedures to soon implement the project of a conveyor system to transport coal from Laos to Vietnam.

At Lao Bao International Border Gate, there is currently no export goods inspection area, forcing vehicles to stop along National Highway 9, causing traffic insecurity and local congestion. Therefore, investment in building an export goods inspection area is an urgent requirement.

At Cha Lo International Border Gate, the 17km road system near Na Phau border gate on the Lao side is seriously degraded, causing difficulties for the circulation of transport vehicles. Therefore, repairing and upgrading this road section is necessary to facilitate traffic connection, meeting the needs of import-export and immigration activities in the border area.

Take advantage of support policies from the Central Government

Enterprises expect the province to develop a synchronous and modern infrastructure, focusing on strategic transport systems, connecting the North-South and East-West axes, improving the economic efficiency of border gates, seaports, airports, and logistics. From there, international freight and logistics centers will be gradually formed.

Recently, on September 6, 2025, the Government Office issued Document No. 463/TB-VPCP announcing the Conclusion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the working session with the Standing Committee of Quang Tri Provincial Party Committee, including a number of contents related to supporting investment capital to implement border gate technical infrastructure projects.

Accordingly, regarding the funding source to implement National Highway 15D (section from Ho Chi Minh Road West branch to La Lay International Border Gate) in the period of 2026-2030, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province is assigned to proactively approve the project according to regulations and authority. On that basis, the Ministry of Finance is assigned to preside over and coordinate with the People's Committee of Quang Tri province and relevant agencies to consider the province's proposal, report and propose to competent authorities according to regulations in September 2025. Regarding the funding source to support investment in the Cam Lo-Lao Bao expressway under the public-private partnership (PPP) method, the Ministry of Finance has reported to the Prime Minister.

After receiving the Government's direction, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province and relevant ministries and agencies will urgently implement it. Regarding the Lao Bao-Densavan Cross-Border Economic-Trade Zone Project, the Ministry of Finance presides over and coordinates with the People's Committee of Quang Tri province and relevant agencies to urgently implement the Government's direction in Document No. 3739/VPCP-CN, dated April 28, 2025.

According to Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Duc Tien, in order to fully exploit the development potential, the province will soon implement the coal conveyor belt project through La Lay International Border Gate, in order to increase customs clearance capacity and contribute to increasing local budget revenue. At the same time, speed up the project to upgrade and repair National Highway 14 and 12km of National Highway 15D, the project to inspect imported goods at La Lay International Border Gate, develop logistics services after the border gate to develop the area for gathering and transiting goods, bonded warehouses, and multimodal transport services (connecting roads and sea). Thereby, creating favorable conditions for import-export and cross-border activities, contributing to attracting investment and tourism in the coming time.

With investment attention from the Central Government, Quang Tri province believes it will create an economic "boost" at border gates, opening up trade opportunities with countries in the region and actively contributing to the local socio-economic development.

Ho Nguyen Kha

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202509/ky-vong-tao-cu-hich-tu-kinh-te-cua-khau-bai-2-khai-thac-tiem-nang-de-but-pha-71a54da/