Hekou Border Between Vietnam and China, Honghe

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Chinese Name: 河口口岸
English Name: Hekou Border Between Vietnam and China, Honghe
Honghe Hekou Border Between Vietnam and China in Hekou County travel guide introduces the main attractions, entrance tickets booking, The best time to visit, How to Get there, the highlights, facts, history, photos, weather, accommodation, visiting routes, travel tips, tour maps of Hekou Border Between Vietnam and China in Honghe(河口口岸).

Hekou County in the southwestern end of the Nanxi River and clear the muddy crossroads of the Red River, a one-Cloud, a blue one red, a clear trail Wei, a water color of the two natural wonders. The River Interchange only 76.4 meters above sea level, the lowest in Yunnan Province.

Hekou Border (河口口岸) is a major Class-I border checkpoint located in Hekou County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. It faces Lao Cai in Vietnam, separated by the Red River. As the largest land border crossing in the Yunnan-Vietnam section, it serves as a key gateway for economic and cultural exchanges between China and Southeast Asia, and is one of the most convenient land routes from southwestern China to Southeast Asia.

History and Development of Hekou Border

• 1897: Hekou Border opened for trade.

• 1910: The completion of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway facilitated trade and transport.

• 1993: Hekou Border officially reopened, becoming an important port for China-Vietnam exchanges.

• 2024: By April, Hekou Border had processed over 127.4 million entries and exits, with a freight volume of 624,000 tons and 52,000 vehicle crossings in just the first quarter.

Transportation Links

• Rail: The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway connects Kunming (昆明) to Hekou, and from there, travels through Lao Cai in Vietnam to Hanoi, covering a total of 864 kilometers.

• Road: Hekou is 328 kilometers from Hanoi by road, and 432 kilometers from Haiphong. The distance to Kunming by road is approximately 468 kilometers.

• Air: While Hekou does not have an airport, it is just 150 kilometers away from Mengzi Airport (蒙自机场) and less than 10 kilometers from Vietnam’s Bao Sheng Airport (保胜机场).

Economic and Cultural Significance

Hekou Border has been a vital corridor for trade and cultural exchange. The area has seen a significant increase in traffic over the years. By 2024, Hekou Border recorded over 569,000 entries and exits, with the number of vehicles crossing the border reaching 31,550. This makes Hekou one of the busiest and most important border ports in the region. The border’s reopening in 1993 marked a turning point in strengthening ties between China and Vietnam, facilitating not only trade but also tourism and cultural exchanges.

Key Developments and Milestones

• 1996: The resumption of freight services along the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway.

• 2002: Trade volume reached 159.9 million RMB.

• 2024: By May, the Hekou Border had processed over 5.8 million passengers during the May Day holiday, reflecting a growing interest in cross-border tourism.

Future Prospects

With the ongoing development of the border infrastructure, including the South Creek Joint Inspection Building (南溪河联检大楼) that began operating in 2024, the Hekou Border is set to become an even more critical point for both trade and tourism between China and Vietnam. As of December 2024, the total volume of imported and exported goods had reached over 4 million tons, showing a significant increase from the previous year. The border’s role in facilitating cross-border tourism continues to expand, making it a vital bridge for both cultural exchange and economic growth.

Hekou Border remains a symbol of the growing connectivity between China and Southeast Asia, as it plays an increasingly important role in trade, tourism, and international cooperation.

Complete Guide to Entering China at Lao Cai Border from Vietnam: Easy Customs Process!

I had a smooth experience entering China at the Lao Cai border for the first time. Along the way, I met many helpful people, and I am truly grateful for their assistance! Below is a detailed guide for the entry process:

1️⃣ Arrival at Lao Cai Border

First, when you arrive at the Lao Cai border, be aware that the entrance and exit signs on the metal shed are reversed (you should enter from the right side, but the sign shows it as the exit, which is a bit confusing). Once you enter, join the queue for customs.

2️⃣ Crossing the Bridge to He Kou, China

After clearing customs, walk across the bridge to reach He Kou (Hekou) in China! Currently, the national border gate in He Kou is still under construction, but it is expected to be finished in a few months. When you reach the designated area, don’t stand in line. Instead, walk to the far left passage and go to the front. Tell the staff that you are Chinese, and they will let you through.

3️⃣ Scanning the QR Code for Health Declaration

Upon entering, you need to scan a QR code. Make sure to fill out the health declaration form in the “Customs Traveler Service” WeChat mini-program beforehand. Once completed, it will generate a QR code for you to scan and proceed.

4️⃣ Passing Through Customs

After scanning the QR code, you will reach customs. The manual lanes may be occupied by Vietnamese travelers, including the Chinese citizen lane. In this case, you can choose the self-service lane, where you can scan your passport and use fingerprint recognition to pass through. (I had a kind customs officer who helped me by guiding me to the self-service lane.) Make sure your passport is not demagnetized and that your fingerprints were recorded when you applied for the passport. If the passport is demagnetized or the fingerprints were not recorded, you will have to wait in line.

Tips:

• You cannot use your phone in the metal shed at Lao Cai or the Chinese border inspection hall. Avoid making calls, recording videos, or taking photos, or you may be scolded. Don’t ask how I know this 😅

Side Note:

The bus from Hanoi to Lao Cai is excellent. For 80+ RMB, it will take you directly from Hanoi to Lao Cai and even drop you off at your hotel or the border. The bus is very clean and provides good privacy protection!

Vietnam Railway Bridge

In the mouth of the railway bridge in the southeast part of the county, across the South River bridge 76 meters long. Bridge in the middle of the border, the northern section of the Chinese jurisdiction, the jurisdiction of the South. Bridge in the middle of narrow gauge railways, on both sides of the bed Road Vehicle.

Vietnam Street

Vietnam Street at the north bank of Hekou County southwest red. Vietnam Street length of over 1,000 metres in simple shed composed mostly of goods sold by the Vietnam Specialties. Daily necessities and handicrafts. Vietnamese businessmen to eat, live, sales of this, both in the streets.