Export turnover reached USD 636 million, up 62 per cent from a year earlier and accounting for more than half of total trade through the northern border province. Farm produce remained the main export category, making up more than 90 per cent of outbound shipments.
At Kim Thanh International Road Border Gate No. 2, more than 2,000 tonnes of durian are being exported each day, the highest level in two years.
In the first six months of 2026, more than 100,000 tonnes of durian were cleared for export to China through Lao Cai, 14 times higher than a year earlier. The fruit alone generated nearly USD 400 million, accounting for more than 30 per cent of the province's total border export turnover.
Local exporters said faster customs clearance had helped reduce storage costs and quality risks for fresh produce. Many shipments are now processed within the same day.
Businesses have also tightened compliance with China's requirements on growing area codes, packing facilities, traceability, plant quarantine and food safety, helping speed up clearance and reduce the risk of rejected shipments.
Lao Cai authorities said customs, border guards and plant quarantine forces were maintaining flexible working arrangements to handle rising trade volumes. Electronic customs declarations have also helped businesses save time and costs.
More than 90 per cent of export declarations at Lao Cai International Border Gate are now classified in the green channel, allowing faster processing.
Authorities said agricultural exports are expected to remain strong in the coming months as more fruit enters peak harvest season. New products, including fresh seafood, are also increasingly using Kim Thanh as a key route to China.
They said recovering demand in China could further boost imports of Vietnamese goods in the second half of the year, creating opportunities for exporters to expand market share and raise export value.
