On October 15, a thrilling cultural performance featuring songs like “You Came, I Went with Affection,” “Gaoping Grand Gathering,” “Songs Floating Between Mountains and Waters,” and “Friendship at the Border” captivated the audience during the formal launch ceremony of the China-Vietnam Detian (Ban Yue) Waterfall Cross-Border Tourism Cooperation Zone.

The event was jointly organized by the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China and the People’s Committee of Cao Bang Province in Vietnam. Just a day prior, on October 14, both nations released a joint statement announcing the official operation of the collaborative tourism area.

This cooperation zone is notable as the first cross-border tourism cooperation area in China. It is jointly established and implemented by Guangxi and Cao Bang, with the Guichun River serving as the boundary. One side features the Detian Waterfall in Daxin County, Guangxi, while the other is home to the Ban Yue Waterfall in Vietnam. Nestled in the picturesque “Mountain and Water Gallery” along the China-Vietnam border, the area boasts stunning karst landforms and natural scenery.

Through the cooperation zone, tourists from both countries can easily explore the beautiful landscapes and rich cultures of China and Vietnam. “Today, I brought 20 Vietnamese tourists for a ‘one-day trip to two countries,’ and everyone had a fantastic time,” said Mo De Ren, a Vietnamese tour guide, in an interview.

In 2015, the governments of China and Vietnam signed an agreement to collaboratively protect and develop the tourism resources of Detian-Ban Yue. Following cooperative efforts from both sides, the zone started a trial operation on September 15, 2023, allowing tourists to visit via a reservation system with fixed routes, limited cross-border groups, and regulated timelines. As of October 10, 2023, the zone had welcomed 1,232 cross-border travel groups, totaling 17,991 visitors.

With the official operation underway, relevant authorities are set to optimize the tourist cross-border visit model further. The daily limit for cross-border individuals will increase from 500 to 1,000, with the numbers dynamically adjusted based on visitor flow. The cross-border visit duration will extend from five to six hours, and the issuance of permits will be simplified for immediate processing. Procedures for bringing common equipment like cameras and camcorders will also be streamlined to enhance travel convenience.

Additionally, the verification process will be improved, eliminating fingerprinting, stamp requirements, and the need for foreign entry cards for Vietnamese tourists traveling in groups. Chinese tourists will benefit from a dual-service model to expedite clearance and a waiver on certain stamp requirements, raising the overall service level to new heights.

“Welcome to China; please present your immigration documents,” greeted officials in the bustling verification hall of the cooperation zone. Officers from the Guangxi border control are dedicated to streamlining the entry and exit processes for tourists, ensuring a safe and efficient travel experience while adhering to established protocols for group travel.

“Following the official operation of the cooperation zone, we at the Shulong border checkpoint will reinforce our ‘Border Control Plus’ working mechanism. We aim to enhance communication and collaboration with local police, customs, immigration departments, and Vietnamese border forces, ensuring a smooth and secure travel experience as visitor numbers peak,” shared Huang Canqiang, Director of the Shulong Border Control Station.

Since the trial operation began, Nanning Customs has been proactive in implementing relevant management measures. By integrating tourist business needs and supervision of group travel, they have upgraded the “China Travel Fun at the Border” mini-program and employed advanced technology for temperature checks and border verification systems to significantly reduce manual intervention, ultimately enhancing the seamless crossing experience for tourists from both nations.