Vietnam’s Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day holiday lasts for five days this year, starting from April 27. Therefore, more people have chosen to visit China by road to save costs.
On Saturday, many people had to wait hours to complete immigration procedures to enter China at Lao Cai-Hekou International Border Gate.
The congestion at the Lao Cai-Hekou International Border Gate
A member of an online tourism group said that it took her team up to seven hours to finish immigration procedures. Many people were surprised, but some others were not because they faced the same problem earlier and accepted the situation during holidays.
A package to Chinese tourist sites such as Hekou, Jianshui and Pingbian costs around VND3.5-7 million (USD138-276).
Over the recent years, overland tours to China have become popular as Vietnamese do not need a visa, just a border permit. The paper allows Vietnamese tourists to enter China for a single entry within a one-month period. However, if they wish to stay in China longer, they can pay an extra fee.
Nguyen Van Hieu, general director of Vitamin Tours, admitted the long waiting time of tourists at Lao Cai-Hekou International Border Gate during long holidays. However, people who purchase tours through reputable agencies, with accompanying tour guides, will receive the best assistance and support in handling any arising issues, Hieu noted.
A travel agent said that travellers entering China with a visa and passport will be prioritised more than those using a border permit.
According to statistics from Lao Cai authorities, the number of tourists to China via Lao Cai-Hekou International Border Gate has increased by 1.5 times compared to the same holiday period last year.
