1st cross-border tourism zone scores big

The China-Vietnam Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall cross-border tourism cooperation zone, China's first of its kind, has achieved key successes since its official launch, as tourist arrivals surged in the first three quarters, fueled by pioneering smart clearance measures.

Located in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the cooperation zone has transformed the regional tourism landscape. Xu Yu, deputy director of the service center at the scenic area in Daxin county of Chongzuo, noted that the zone has maintained a flawless record of zero errors and zero incidents since its trial operation in September 2023, handling nearly 160,000 inbound and outbound visits.

To ensure smooth operations, local authorities have established a normalized communication mechanism with Vietnam, advancing joint management and the construction of the No 53 old boundary marker cultural square to build a benchmark for high-standard opening-up, Xu added.

The operational shift has brought unprecedented convenience to visitors, allowing them to explore destinations in both countries within a single day. Long Shengwang, director of the cross-border tourism management department at CTS Detian Waterfall Tourism Development Co, explained that the scenic area has transitioned from a single-destination operation to a comprehensive cross-border experience.

"We established a dedicated department and pioneered an integrated ticketing approach that covers attractions on both sides of the border by pooling bilateral resources," Long said. Tourists can complete bookings in advance by linking the scenic area's platform with the immigration department's mini-program, enjoying one-stop services at a centralized hall.

To handle large tourist flows, the company coordinates with multiple government departments to form a closed-loop safety management system, ensuring visitors experience comprehensive services domestically and appropriate guidance abroad.

This seamless experience is heavily supported by innovative customs procedures, notably the national debut of facial recognition-based permit processing. Hu Manyin, deputy commissioner of Shuolong Customs, highlighted the creation of a customized clearance model tailored for tour groups. "We implemented advance luggage declarations and centralized inspections, optimizing procedures for camera equipment to meet tourists' sightseeing needs," Hu said.

Utilizing non-intrusive equipment like infrared thermometers and X-ray machines, customs authorities established a contactless inspection system, enabling travelers to pass through within 20 seconds. According to Hu, the zone welcomed 54,450 tourists from January to September, a 40.4 percent year-on-year increase, with a record single-day high of 1,272 visitors.

"Efficient clearance not only fulfills our duty to safeguard the border and promote development but also injects strong momentum into the local economy," Hu added.

Enhancing the humanistic aspect of border management, the Detian Women Police Vanguard of the Shuolong Border Defense Station provides crucial support. Police officer Zhang Weihuayu stated that the station has provided over 5,000 consultation services. "Facing frequent foreign exchanges, our female officers utilize a meticulous and gentle approach to improve the clearance experience," Zhang said.

To maximize convenience, border inspection rolled out measures such as exempting foreign tourists from fingerprint collection, passport stamping and filling out entry cards, facilitating a more welcoming environment for international visitors.

Beyond tourism, the cooperation zone serves as a vital platform for cultural exchange and rural vitalization. According to Long, to further tap into the broader Association of Southeast Asian Nations market, the scenic area has launched targeted promotional campaigns in countries like Vietnam and Thailand, inviting foreign media for on-site reporting. Innovative programs, such as cross-border youth hiking exchanges and water-based folk song gatherings, have also been introduced to diversify the tourism portfolio. These frequent bilateral events attracted over 100,000 participants in 2026 alone, significantly strengthening ties between the people of both nations.

Xu noted that this booming cross-border tourism directly drives surrounding sectors, such as accommodation, catering and cultural products. The influx of visitors during peak seasons and traditional holidays, such as the regional March 3 Festival — an important traditional event for ethnic minorities in Guangxi — has stimulated local businesses.

By promoting intangible cultural heritage displays and specialty agricultural products, the zone encourages the development of rural enterprises. Expanding consumption scenarios through departure tax refund shops, among others, enables border residents to find employment and increase their incomes, effectively boosting the regional economy, Xu said.

renqi@chinadaily.com.cn