Hekou Border Port in Honghe, Yunnan

Hekou Border Port (河口口岸) is one of China’s Category I border ports, located in the southern part of Hekou County (河口县), Honghe Prefecture (红河州), Yunnan Province (云南). It sits across from Lao Cai (老街) in Vietnam, separated by the Nam Xy River (南溪河). Hekou is the largest land border port along the China-Vietnam border in Yunnan and serves as an essential gateway for trade and cultural exchange between China and Southeast Asia. The port is one of the most convenient land channels connecting Southwest China with Southeast Asia.

  • Location: Hekou County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province

  • Cross-Border Link: Across the Nam Xy River from Lao Cai, Vietnam

  • Classification: Category I Port (国家一类口岸)

  • Trade Volume: In 2024, Hekou Border Port processed 5.69 million entries and exits, marking a 37.2% increase from the previous year.

History and Development

Establishment and Evolution

Hekou Port was officially opened for trade in 1897, making it one of the oldest border ports in Yunnan. The port’s importance increased after the completion of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway in 1910, and by 1993, the port was officially reopened for trade between China and Vietnam. The opening of the port marked the beginning of Hekou’s rise as a central hub for economic and cultural exchange between the two countries.

Key Milestones:

  • 1897: Hekou Port was opened for trade.

  • 1910: The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway (滇越铁路) began operation, enhancing connectivity.

  • 1993: Hekou Port officially reopened as a trading route between China and Vietnam.

  • 2024: The port handled 5.69 million entries and exits, with trade volumes increasing substantially.

Core Functions and Facilities

Passenger Clearance Channel

  • Facilities: The new Nanxi River Joint Inspection Hall (南溪河联检大厅) is equipped with 12 intelligent inspection gates, integrating health declaration, temperature checks, and document verification. Clearance time is reduced to just 5 seconds per passenger.

  • Peak Season: In the summer of 2025, the cross-border tourism market is expected to flourish, with Malaysia, France, and Germany being the top three countries for inbound tourists.

Freight Clearance Channel

  • Key Imports/Exports: The port facilitates the import of tropical fruits like durian and dragon fruit from Vietnam, while exporting highland vegetables and electromechanical products from Yunnan. The fastest clearance time for a single shipment is expected to be just 15 minutes by 2025.

  • Technology: The port utilizes an AR panoramic visualization platform to enable real-time logistics tracking and proactive warning systems.

Transportation and Connectivity

Railway

Hekou is directly connected to Vietnam’s Haiphong Port (海防港) via the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway (滇越铁路), with a total track length of 864 kilometers, 465 of which are within China and 389 within Vietnam.

Highway

The Honghe River Bridge (红河公路大桥) helps alleviate cargo traffic pressure and connects Hekou to Lao Cai, Vietnam. The highway infrastructure significantly improves cross-border cargo movement.

Nearby Amenities

  • Binhjiang International Hotel: Located 200 meters from the port, with a rating of 4.1/5, providing convenient accommodation for travelers.

  • Hekou Forest Park: A scenic spot rated 4.4/5, perfect for leisurely visits.

Practical Information

Customs Hours

  • Passenger Clearance: Open 24 hours a day.

  • Visa Office: Open from 08:00-11:30 and 14:00-18:00.

Duty-Free Allowance

  • Limit: 8,000 RMB per person per day, with popular Vietnamese products like coffee and rubber sandals available for purchase.

Contact Information

  • Hekou Customs: (0873-3712295)

For the latest policies and news, visit the Honghe Prefecture government website or follow the “Hekou Customs” official WeChat account.

Policy and Development Updates

Smart Customs

By 2025, Hekou Port plans to implement the “One Card, Multiple Trades” model, which is expected to improve customs clearance efficiency by 300%.

Cross-Border Cooperation

The China-Vietnam Economic and Trade Fair is held regularly, fostering closer trade relations and regional integration.

Traffic and Infrastructure

Railway

Hekou is a critical stop on the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, connecting to the Vietnamese port of Haiphong, facilitating both freight and passenger transport.

Highway

The highway from Hekou to Hanoi spans 328 kilometers, with additional waterway connections to Haiphong. The port is also 468 kilometers from Kunming (昆明), the provincial capital of Yunnan, and 277 kilometers from Gejiu (个旧), a major city in the region.

Air Connectivity

Although Hekou does not have its own airport, it is located just 150 kilometers from Mengzi Airport (蒙自机场) and under 10 kilometers from Vietnam’s Bao Sheng Airport (保胜机场).

Historical Background

Key Events

  • 1951: Following the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Hekou Port was managed by border defense forces and customs officers.

  • 1979: The port was temporarily closed but reopened in 1993.

  • 2002: Hekou’s trade volume reached 159.9 million RMB.

  • 2023: The port experienced a resurgence, with trade volumes and passenger traffic rapidly increasing.

Trade and Growth

In 2024, Hekou processed over 569,000 entries and exits, marking a 37.2% increase from the previous year. The port continues to be one of the busiest border points in Yunnan, with a total trade value of over 400,000 tons of goods in 2024.

Surrounding Attractions

Scenic Spots

  • Detian Waterfall (德天瀑布): Located about 13 kilometers from Hekou, it is one of the largest transnational waterfalls in the world.

  • Jiulongtan Waterfall (九龙滩瀑布): Another popular waterfall in the region.

  • Blackwater River (黑水河): Known for its tranquil beauty, ideal for river tours.

Hekou Border Port plays a pivotal role in the economic and cultural exchange between China and Southeast Asia, with steadily increasing passenger and cargo traffic. With ongoing infrastructure upgrades, the port is set to become an even more important hub in the region.