The Tay Trang international border gate that straddles the Vietnam-Laos border was inaugurated in the northern province of Dien Bien on May 4.

Local people from Dien Bien and Phongsaly, two adjoining border provinces of Vietnam and Laos were the first to be given the opportunity to clear customs procedures after the gate was opened to the public.

To date the Vietnamese government has invested nearly US$2.2 million in the first phase of the Tay Trang border gate project that includes the installation of a 60-tonne vehicle weighing station.

The province is now gearing up to finish road work, build a border market and warehouses to facilitate border trade and expand import-export activities with three northern Lao provinces.