Recently, the inauguration ceremony for the regular operation of the China–Vietnam Mong Cai cross-border self-drive tour was held in Dongxing City, Guangxi. Twenty self-driving vehicles from China and twenty from Vietnam set off simultaneously, embarking on journeys to explore tourist attractions in Mong Cai, Vietnam, and Dongxing, Guangxi, respectively.
“I’ve been to Mong Cai, Vietnam, before, but this is my first time driving my own car in a foreign country — it’s really exciting,” Mr. Chen from Guilin happily told reporters on November 9. On that day, Mr. Chen became one of the first tourists to experience the China-Vietnam cross-border self-drive tour.
That morning, at the China-Vietnam Friendship Bridge at the Dongxing Port, the inauguration ceremony for the regular operation of the China Dongxing–Vietnam Mong Cai cross-border self-drive tour, jointly organized by the People’s Government of Dongxing City, China, and the People’s Committee of Mong Cai, Vietnam, took place. Twenty vehicles from each side lined up and slowly drove toward the border checkpoint. A little over half an hour later, vehicles that had completed customs clearance procedures began their cross-border self-drive journeys.
On that day, Chinese tourists on the self-drive tour visited famous attractions in Mong Cai, Vietnam, and also purchased local specialties. Meanwhile, Vietnamese self-drive tourists explored scenic spots such as the Golden Beach in Jiangping Town, Dongxing.
Tourism businesses see business opportunities
Ou Miaoling, Deputy General Manager of Guangxi Yunde International Travel Agency, a co-organizer of the self-drive event, said that the agency has been operating tourism services from Guangxi to Vietnam since 2004, but this is the first time cross-border self-driving has been launched. Ou noted that from the earliest direct bus services to later group tours and individual travel arrangements, they have observed a growing number of people in Guangxi who enjoy this new form of travel — self-driving. Driving one’s own car to a foreign country will attract even more motor vehicle owners to travel.
During the interview, the reporter met Nguyen Thanh Hung, head of a Vietnamese tourism service company, who is very optimistic about the self-drive tour. He said that although the cross-border self-drive tour is currently in a trial phase, as it becomes a regular service, his company will apply to the Vietnamese government to expand the scope of the self-drive tour. “In Vietnam, we hope to include attractions such as Ha Long Bay in the self-drive tour routes; in China, we hope Vietnamese self-drive enthusiasts can drive all the way to Nanning.”
Apply 15 working days in advance
“Currently, a self-drive group can be formed with a minimum of five vehicles and a maximum of twenty,” Ou Miaoling explained. Applying for vehicle transit permits requires submitting the application 15 working days in advance. Citizens need to provide the travel agency with copies of the ID cards or passports, driver’s licenses, and vehicle registration certificates of those traveling abroad. The travel agency will handle all exit procedures. There are two ways for individuals to exit: they can apply for a visa in advance using their passport, or they can arrive in Dongxing one day before departure to complete the in-person interview procedures for the exit permit at Dongxing.
In addition, travel agencies organizing cross-border self-drive tours must be registered enterprises in Dongxing City and possess the qualifications to operate outbound tourism for Chinese citizens or border tourism between China and Vietnam. They must also have tour guides who are proficient in the Vietnamese language, and participants must hold valid entry and exit documents. Travel agencies must organize cross-border self-drive tours according to designated travel routes, entry and exit ports, and the allowed duration and scope of stay abroad. Before departure, travel agencies must submit relevant documentation, including the self-drive tour group contract, itinerary, and passenger list, to the Dongxing public security, border inspection, and customs authorities for record-filing and processing of related procedures.
With all procedures in place, travelers can head to Vietnam at the scheduled time. On the morning of November 9, the reporter observed at the scene that vehicles and passengers went through customs separately. Passengers underwent border inspection, while vehicles were inspected before drivers drove straight through the checkpoint. The entire process took approximately 30 minutes.