Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia facilitate cross-border road transport

The launching ceremony of  road transport between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. (Source: VNA)

Vehicles now can move freely between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia following a ceremony held at the Hoa Lu (Vietnam) and Trapeang Sre (Cambodia) border gates on September 9.

The event marked the realisation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on facilitating road transport signed between three countries on January 17, 2013, which aims to serve economic development, trade exchange and tourism.

The MoU serves as the legal basis to develop road transport among the three countries. It has 11 clauses and three appendixes stipulating contents relating to creating favourable conditions for people and all non-commercial and commercial motorised vehicles to move through border gates.

Under the MoU, the quota of commercial vehicles of each country through border gates, excluding fixed passenger transport routes, is 150. Any increases of the quota will be decided upon by the three countries based on economic demand and shared interests.

At the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Binh Phuoc People’s Committee Tran Ngoc Trai said the move will open a new period for socio-economic development and cultural exchanges among the three countries and between Binh Phuoc and neighbouring Lao and Cambodia localities in particular.

Notably, National Road No 13 running through Binh Phuoc to Cambodia, Laos and Thailand will become an inter-nation tourism route on the Indochina peninsula, he said.

Deputy Minister of Transport Le Dinh Tho emphasised the implementation of the MoU will reduce transport fees and cut waiting times, promoting economic, trade, tourism and transport activities between Vietnam’s Central Highlands, southeast and southwest regions and provinces in Cambodia and Laos.

It also shortens the travelling time from HCM City to Laos’ capital city of Vientiane, said Tho.

He also hoped relevant agencies from the three countries would coordinate closely to ensure the safe and smooth flow of traffic through border gates.-VNA