Na Meo Border Gate – Thanh Hoa is one of the eight international border gates between Vietnam and Laos.
In terms of geographical distance, this is the closest border gate connecting the capital Hanoi with the capital Vientiane of Laos. It is also the most convenient gateway connecting Northern Laos with major seaports in the Northern region of Vietnam, such as Nghi Son Port and Hai Phong Port.
Meanwhile, the Na Meo International Border Economic Zone is included in the development plan of Vietnamese border economic zones until 2020, approved by the Prime Minister through Decision No. 52 on April 25, 2008, and is expected to be established after 2020.
To implement the Prime Minister’s decision, the Provincial People’s Committee has assigned the Thanh Hoa Institute of Planning and Architecture as the consulting unit to develop a project for the establishment of the Na Meo International Border Economic Zone.
According to the project, the scope and scale of the Na Meo International Border Economic Zone include the entire administrative boundaries of Na Meo, Son Dien, Son Thuy, Muong Min, and Son Lu Town in Quan Son District, Thanh Hoa Province.
The area of the Na Meo International Border Economic Zone is approximately 499 km², with a current population of about 19,900 people in 2020, accounting for about 43.5% of the district’s total population.
Na Meo International Border Gate is located at the endpoint of National Highway 217 in Thanh Hoa Province. Na Meo International Border Gate, together with Nam Xoi Border Gate in Vieng Xay District, Hua Phan Province, is an important trading gateway between Vietnam and Laos, as well as between Thanh Hoa and Hua Phan Provinces.
Geographical distances:
- 194 km from the center of Thanh Hoa City.
- 53 km from the center of Quan Son District.
- 80 km from Sam Neua, the capital of Hua Phan Province.
- 40 km from Vieng Xay District.
With such a location, Na Meo Border Gate and Nam Xoi Border Gate were officially announced as international border gates by the governments of Vietnam and Laos in 2004.
This is the only international border gate in Thanh Hoa Province, where major trading activities take place between Thanh Hoa and the northern provinces of Laos.
The Na Meo International Border Gate in Thanh Hoa plays a crucial role in the province’s development, both economically, in cultural exchanges, and in ensuring national defense and security.
Trade activities at Na Meo International Border Gate – Thanh Hoa:
Since its upgrade to an international border gate, trade activities, goods exchange, and cooperation among the ethnic communities in the border regions of Quan Son district – Vieng Xay (Laos) have become more vibrant.
On average, there are about 8,000 to 10,000 people crossing the border annually for trade, goods exchange, business cooperation, and cultural exchange.
From 2016 to 2020, the total import-export turnover between Thanh Hoa Province and Hua Phan Province reached nearly 74 million USD, an increase of 18% compared to the period of 2011-2015.
Especially, the bilateral import-export turnover in 2020 reached 27.4 million USD, a 2.1 times increase compared to 2019.
In the first 6 months of 2022, the total value of bilateral import-export turnover reached nearly 17 million USD, with an export value of over 14.4 million USD and an import value of nearly 2.5 million USD.
Na Meo International Border Gate is an important gateway for both Hua Phan and Thanh Hoa Provinces.
To exploit the potential and value of Na Meo International Border Gate, in recent times, Quan Son District has focused on planning and developing trade and service sectors, attracting investments to the district, and creating favorable conditions for businesses to invest and operate.
At the same time, the district emphasizes mobilizing resources to invest in upgrading transportation infrastructure, and commercial infrastructure, serving the people’s livelihoods, and economic development.
Particularly, investors have renovated and upgraded Na Meo Border Market, which covers an area of 7,000m2 and accommodates approximately 200 business points, to meet the standards of a Grade III market.
The potential of Na Meo International Border Gate – Thanh Hoa:
After nearly 20 years of being upgraded to an international border gate, Na Meo Border Gate has developed in many aspects and made positive contributions to the development of Thanh Hoa Province. However, it has not yet fully matched the potential and development requirements of the two bordering localities.
Therefore, the exploitation and effective utilization of the role and contribution of Na Meo Border Gate in the coming time is not only an important task for Thanh Hoa and Hua Phan Provinces but also a concern of the governments of Vietnam and Laos.
Advantages and Potential of the Na Meo International Border Economic Zone:
The economic zone has the potential for the development of wood processing industry, trade and services, and tourism in the research area.
The People’s Committee of Thanh Hoa province approved the regional planning of Quan Son District until 2045, identifying the Na Meo International Border Economic Zone as an important highlight of the “one economic corridor” model along National Highway 217.
Economic experts believe that the establishment of the Na Meo Border Economic Zone is necessary for the future, with the expectation of creating an important economic-cultural gateway, contributing to strengthening the friendly cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, and at the same time, providing impetus for the economic and social development of the mountainous areas in the western part of Thanh Hoa Province and Hua Phan Province.
