According to recent reports from monitoring agencies, the number of vehicles transporting agricultural products for export has dramatically grown at the border gates in Lang Son province of Vietnam. However, due to the long customs clearance processing time as well as the limited clearance capacity, congestions are common occurrences at these border gates.

Several Vietnamese fruits are their harvest season including durian, jackfruit, litchi, dragon fruit, etc. As a result, a large number of road vehicles transporting fruits and other agricultural products for export will  flock to the border gates in Lang Son province and northern border provinces. This influx of traffic runs the risk of producing congestion, raising costs, harming persons and property, and impairing traffic safety, security, order, and environmental sanitation at some border gates in Lang Son province.

In response to these issues, the Prime Minister of Vietnam requested the Ministers of Industry and Trade, Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development, Foreign Affairs, Transport, Information and Communication, National Defense, Public Security of Vietnam, Chairman of local People's Committees and relevant agencies to urgently implement solutions in reducing congestion and promoting the export of in-season agricultural products.

Short-term solutions

The Prime Minister  of Vietnam requested the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lai Chau, Dien Bien; The Ministers of Industry and Trade, Finance, National Defense, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, to urgently review their respective regulations on import and export of agricultural products between Vietnam and China.

Furthermore, Prime Minister of Vietnam requested stakeholders to organize corresponding diplomatic activities, closely coordinate with relevant Chinese authorities to facilitate import-export, simplify procedures, increase customs clearance efficiency, and avoid leaving agricultural products in hot weather at border gates.

Local People's Committees are recommended to monitor, assess and forecast the circulation of agricultural products to make approprite adjustments with relevant agencies. Accordingly, local governments must promptly take measures to regulate the transportation of agricultural products through border gates, handle congestion points, and solve administrative issues to accelerate the customs clearance of goods.

In addition, local governments, organizations and businesses across the country will be regularly updated on the circulation and export of agricultural products at border gates to limit congestion, and minimize damage to businesses and people.

The Prime Minister of Vietnam requested the Ministers of Industry and Trade, Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam to coordinate with businesses and distribution establishments to further promote the domestic consumption of in-season agricultural products.

Moreover, relevant ministers, heads of branches and local governments shall promptly handle violations involving the export, import and customs clearance of goods at border gates.

Long-term solution

The Prime Minister of Vietnam requested the Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam to coordinate with the Ministers of: Agriculture and Rural Development, Foreign Affairs, Transport and relevant agencies to implement measures in promoting the export of agricultural products in the form of official quotas, diversifying modes of transportation for agricultural export.

In addition, the Prime Minister of Vietnam have recommended stakeholders to implement several long-term solutions including:

Promote exports through official channels, and remove technical barriers in the export of agricultural products.

Focus on quality management to increase officially exports to the Chinese market; negotiate with the Chinese Government to reduce inspection of Vietnamese agricultural products when exporting to China.

Guide local governments to develop concentrated agricultural commodity production zones with appropriate scale, ensuring regulations on product traceability, geographical indications, management, food safety as well as meeting quality standards for export and domestic consumption.

Coordinate with relevant agencies in promulgating regulations on agricultural production; coordinate with the Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam to organize the implementation of geographical indications on agriculture, forestry and fishery.

Register Vietnamese agricultural products for trademark protection; Apply technological traceability solutions to products protected by intellectual property; support businesses in the registration for trademark protection of agricultural products in both the domestic and the international market.

The Prime Minister of Vietnam requested local governments to advise people, agricultural cooperatives and businesses to re-organize agricultural production in association with market demand. Accordingly, the production processes must follow regulations imposed by the import market in terms of production, harvesting, preliminary processing, packaging, transportation, and traceability. Complete logistics infrastructure for local agricultural production and business must be established in accordance with the national planning.

Northern border provinces have been advised to prioritize legal resources for enhancement of the border trade infrastructure system, meeting the requirements of cross-border circulation.