The total import-export turnover between Thanh Hoa province in the central region of Vietnam and its bordering province of Houaphanh in the northeastern region of Laos from 2021 to date reached $384.77 million, heard a conference on border trade development cooperation between the two provinces on July 29.

Of this, exports from Thanh Hoa amounted to $349.6 million, while imports from Houaphanh totaled $35 million.

Key exports from Thanh Hoa include construction materials (iron, steel, cement, bricks), consumer goods, gasoline, and machinery and equipment. Conversely, major imports from Houaphanh consist of wood, iron ore, and agricultural and forestry products.

Transportation and cross-border movements through the Na Meo – Nam Xoi border gate have remained stable, with nearly 200,000 people and over 52,000 vehicles crossing since 2021. Currently, 21 transport companies from both provinces operate regularly on the Vietnam–Laos route, helping to meet the travel, cargo transport, and trade demands of residents on both sides.

Alongside the positive outcomes, the conference also served as an opportunity for both sides to frankly address the remaining barriers to cooperation.

Representatives from the Departments of Industry and Trade of both provinces identified several issues to be resolved, including: unsynchronized border gate infrastructure, challenging terrain that complicates transportation, high logistics costs, inconsistent administrative procedures, fragmented and small-scale trade at border markets, a lack of large-scale traders, and low product value.