Operating hours of the Bac Luan II border gate between Vietnam's northern Quang Ninh province and China’s Dongxing city will be extended for a three-month trial.

The Mong Cai city of Quang Ninh province and Dongxing city have agreed to conduct the trial with the aim of facilitating the handling of goods, reducing congestion, and increasing trade volume.

According to their agreement, from September 1, the border gate will be opened daily from 7am to 8pm (Vietnam time), including holidays and weekends (excluding New Year holidays), for three months.

Mong Cai also proposed that Dongxing reduce customs clearance fees for businesses, improve efficiency in handling import and export goods at the Mong Cai-Dongxing border gate pair, and adopt flexible goods control mechanisms similar to those at other Vietnam-China border crossings.

The two cities also discussed some cross-border projects to enhance transport connection, including construction of Bac Luan III bridge and an international rail route linking the two cities.