The 1,297-kilometer border between China and Vietnam is a frontier shaped by over a thousand years of complex history, from dynastic rule to modern conflict and booming trade. It is a land of dramatic limestone karsts, terraced rice paddies, and bustling border towns. Your crossing here is a passage between two powerful and historically intertwined nations.
You have three main crossing points. The most westerly is at Hekou (China) – Lao Cai (Vietnam), a key crossing for both road and rail traffic and the gateway to the popular mountain town of Sapa. In the center, the Friendship Pass at Pingxiang (China) – Dong Dang (Vietnam) is another major route. On the coast, the crossing at Dongxing-Mong Cai serves the coastal route.
The border procedures, particularly on the Chinese side, are thorough and modern. You should be prepared for a multi-step process and have your visas in order before you arrive. The border towns themselves are fascinating places, bustling with cross-border trade and a unique blend of Chinese and Vietnamese culture.
This border has been the site of conflict as recently as 1979, but today it is a symbol of the booming economic relationship between the two communist states. It is a place where you can witness the powerful forces of history and commerce shaping the modern Asian landscape.