Promoting Goods Trade through Le Thanh International Border Gate: Current Situation and Solutions

Le Thanh International Border Gate

Gia Lai Province possesses inherent advantages in transport and logistics connectivity, notably Le Thanh International Border Gate - the gateway to northeastern Cambodia - together with Quy Nhon International Seaport, Phu My and Hoai Nhon ports, and Phu Cat and Pleiku airports. The connectivity between Quy Nhon Port, expressways, and international border gates holds strategic significance in linking transport and logistics infrastructure with other key border gates in the region, such as Bo Y (Quang Ngai), Bu Prang (Lam Dong), Hoa Lu (Dong Nai), and Moc Bai (Tay Ninh). These advantages enable Gia Lai to develop into an important transit hub for agricultural products, timber, rubber, coffee, and pepper exported to Cambodia and further onward to ASEAN markets. In recent years, import–export activities through Le Thanh International Border Gate have recorded steady growth. Border trade infrastructure has received increased investment, trade promotion activities have been intensified, passenger and cargo transportation has remained smooth, and disease prevention and border security have been effectively ensured. Functional agencies at the border gate have closely coordinated with local authorities and competent agencies of Ratanakiri Province (Cambodia) to promptly address difficulties and obstacles, creating open and favorable conditions for the rapid clearance of import-export goods, vehicles, and passengers. Total import-export turnover through Le Thanh International Border Gate reached USD 118.5 million in 2021, USD 140 million in 2022, USD 140 million in 2023, and USD 202.2 million in 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 43 percent. Turnover is estimated at USD 205 million in 2025, up 1.4 percent year-on-year. Gia Lai’s major export items include steel structures, general merchandise, fertilizers, agricultural inputs, iron and steel, stone powder, plastic products, and breeding cattle. Imported goods mainly consist of natural rubber, raw cashew nuts, cassava, fresh bananas, fresh mangoes, charcoal for temporary import-re-export, and cashew and mango wood for charcoal production.

Despite these achievements, several difficulties and challenges remain. Border trade activities are still limited in scale and have yet to fully realize the potential of Gia Lai’s role as a gateway connecting the Central Highlands and the South Central Coast with neighboring countries such as Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. The range of traded goods and the number of enterprises engaged in import–export activities remain modest, while border markets are not yet vibrant and are largely seasonal. Investment projects in the border-gate economic zone are predominantly small in scale and generate low added value. In addition, socio-economic development in border areas remains slow, logistics infrastructure has yet to meet practical requirements, and the mobilization of investment resources faces difficulties due to complex terrain and constraints on state budget funding.

In response to these challenges, the province will prioritize synchronized and long-term solutions to promote goods trade between Gia Lai Province and the Cambodian market through Le Thanh International Border Gate, including the following:

First, organize the dissemination and communication of the Agreement on Promoting Bilateral Trade between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia for the 2025 - 2026 period, as well as relevant policies, plans, and legal regulations on border trade and import-export, through appropriate media channels, with a view to enhancing market access capacity for organizations, individuals, and traders in the province.

Second, develop border trade infrastructure by increasing investment in the construction and upgrading of technical infrastructure at Le Thanh International Border Gate. The province will review and supplement the list of priority border trade infrastructure projects in line with practical needs and local socio-economic development orientations, while encouraging socialization and attracting investment capital for logistics infrastructure, as well as agricultural production and processing facilities within Le Thanh International Border Gate Economic Zone. At the same time, market activities within the economic zone will be promoted with a view to developing it into a large-scale commodity exchange hub capable of attracting traders from border provinces.

Third, promote trade promotion and business connectivity by organizing trade conferences, fairs, and border markets, and arranging business delegations to participate in trade events, fairs, and exhibitions in Cambodia. These activities aim to strengthen business linkages, expand market access, and enhance trade cooperation between local enterprises and international partners.

Coordinate with Viet Nam Trade Office in Cambodia to provide timely information on market conditions, demand, and consumption trends in the Cambodian market, thereby advising and guiding provincial enterprises effectively.

Fourth, review and reform administrative procedures to facilitate the entry and exit of people and vehicles, as well as the import and export of goods. The province will coordinate with relevant functional agencies to develop and implement an appropriate digital border gate model at Le Thanh International Border Gate, with a view to shortening customs clearance time. At the same time, cooperation will be strengthened in combating smuggling and enhancing supervision, standards control, and goods traceability.

Fifth, promote cross-border e-commerce by disseminating information and guiding enterprises to participate in training and capacity-building programs organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, e-commerce platforms, and logistics and payment service providers. These efforts aim to enhance online export skills, digital storefront management, and market development through Cambodian e-commerce platforms such as Smile Shop, Little Fashion, and other reputable platforms. At the same time, e-commerce content will be integrated into enterprise support and digital transformation programs.

Sixth, strengthen information exchange among functional agencies by maintaining regular information-sharing mechanisms and coordinated operations between relevant sectors of Gia Lai Province and Ratanakiri Province, as well as border communes, in border management and infrastructure development. These efforts aim to ensure security, prevent smuggling and trade fraud, facilitate import-export and entry-exit activities, promote economic development, trade, and investment attraction, and enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement and state management. At the same time, the province will promote the signing of new cooperation agreements and further enhance Gia Lai’s role in sub-regional Mekong and ASEAN cooperation.