China-Vietnam Border Sees 249K Visitors During Holiday

Travelers are voting with their feet for friendship, and the numbers tell an inspiring story. During this year's Spring Festival holiday, 249,000 people crossed between China and Vietnam through border towns in Guangxi, exploring each other's cultures and creating economic opportunities on both sides.

The nine-day holiday revealed something beyond typical tourism. Vietnamese visitors ventured deep into Chinese cities like Nanning and Guangzhou, while Chinese travelers immersed themselves in Vietnamese traditions and communities.

Border towns are thriving from the exchange. Dongxing, a key crossing point in Guangxi, has seen local restaurants, shops, and tour services expand to welcome growing numbers of visitors. Vietnamese shoppers arrive seeking goods for New Year celebrations, filling local markets with seasonal energy.

The tourism boom is creating real jobs in regions that have long depended on cross-border trade. Hotels, guides, transportation services, and cultural heritage sites are all hiring to meet demand. For communities in border areas, this means more economic stability and opportunity.

A new cooperation zone around the stunning Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall, which straddles both countries, launched in October 2024. Travelers can now freely explore both sides of the natural landmark, making the experience seamless while benefiting local economies on each side.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond economics, this travel surge is building understanding between cultures. Chinese visitors experience Vietnamese food, festivals, and daily life firsthand. Vietnamese travelers explore Chinese traditions and customs in authentic settings, not tourist traps.

Local authorities in both countries are working to keep growth sustainable. They're implementing eco-friendly policies to protect natural sites like the waterfall region while ensuring tourism benefits spread fairly across communities. The goal is preserving these special places for future generations while welcoming visitors today.

The trend shows no signs of slowing. As policies continue making cross-border travel easier year-round, both countries are seeing tourism as a bridge that strengthens diplomatic ties while lifting up border communities that have often been overlooked.

Shared waterfalls and spring festivals are proving that neighbors can grow closer while growing more prosperous together.