On November 1, information from the People's Committee of Mong Cai City (Quang Ninh) said that up to this point, the locality has completed preparations for infrastructure and equipment to welcome tourists by self-driving tourist cars between Mong Cai City and Dong Hung City through Bac Luan 2 Border Gate (Mong Cai International Border Gate).

Accordingly, the Mong Cai International Border Gate Management Board has arranged a service area and a system of 300 benches to serve the needs of tourists while waiting for immigration procedures; repainted traffic warning lines at the control lines for exiting and entering vehicles; installed air conditioners at the working booths on both sides of the control lines for exiting and entering vehicles and imported goods.

In addition, to ensure conditions for carrying out procedures for tourists through the Mong Cai - Dong Hung international border gate pair, the Mong Cai International Border Gate Customs Branch has reviewed infrastructure conditions, technical facilities, and professional systems.

In addition, Mong Cai Customs Branch has assigned officers and civil servants to perform tasks at work positions, ensuring readiness to carry out customs procedures for self-driving tourist vehicles conveniently, quickly, in accordance with regulations and according to the customs management plans developed by the unit; promptly handling arising problems.

As Thanh Nien reported, on October 29, Quang Ninh province officially approved the pilot management of self-driving Chinese tourist car services between Mong Cai City and Dong Hung City. The pilot period of self-driving Chinese tourist cars starts from October 30, 2023 and ends on September 30, 2026.

According to the approved plan, each side will have a maximum of 300 self-driving tourist vehicles entering each other's territory through the Bac Luan 2 border gate for sightseeing every month. The number of tourist groups is limited to no more than 10 vehicles.

Chinese tourist vehicles are allowed to travel to Ha Long City via Highway 18A; Ha Long - Mong Cai Expressway. Self-driving Chinese tourist vehicles are not allowed to enter Highway 18C or military areas. During the journey, stopping to film and take photos is allowed, except in restricted areas and other military areas.

For self-driving tourist vehicles from Quang Ninh, the Chinese authorities will regulate when leaving for Dongxing City.

According to the People's Committee of Mong Cai City, self-driving cars for tourists through the Mong Cai - Dong Hung border gate pair were piloted in 2016 and 2018.

Specifically, in 2016, self-driving cars from China to Quang Ninh were piloted with a limited scope of operation only in Mong Cai City. Each entry was limited to 5 cars and a maximum of 20 cars per group. The total number of self-driving Chinese cars in Vietnam did not exceed 100 cars/day and no more than 3 days per license. After 1 year of implementation, there were 93 cars with 256 tourists from China passing through Mong Cai. In the opposite direction, there were 38 cars with 110 tourists from Vietnam to Dong Hung City.

By 2018, the Government agreed to allow Quang Ninh to expand the scope of Chinese self-driving cars to Ha Long City. Vietnamese tourists driving to China can enter Guilin City, Guangxi (about 600 km from Mong Cai City), with the route Dongxing - Fangcheng - Nanning - Guilin.

However, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the self-driving tour temporarily stopped operating and has only now reopened.