From 10 to 13 March 2026, a delegation from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, led by Secretary of State Pen Boran, conducted a study visit to the Lao Cai and Kim Thanh international border gates on the Vietnam-China border. The delegation included technical officials from the Strengthening Framework for Cambodia Logistics Improvement Project (SF-CLIP), the Promoting Cross-Border Economic Connectivity Project in the Kingdom of Cambodia (3CEP), and participating JICA experts.
According to the ministry, the visit was organized to study management models, detailed engineering layouts, procedures, and coordination mechanisms for cross-border transport operations involving goods and passengers. The stated purpose was to support the development of Cambodia’s international border gate infrastructure and logistics projects.
Background
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport described the Lao Cai and Kim Thanh border gates as a major economic gateway supporting trade, tourism, and regional manufacturing supply chains. The visit focused on practical observation of border gate administration and infrastructure arrangements that could inform Cambodian planning.
The delegation examined facilities and operating systems at the Lao Cai international border gate, including the cross-border bridge and the administrative office of the international border gate, as well as the Kim Thanh border gate and its cross-border bridge.
Key Observations
On 10 March, the delegation received presentations on border gate administrative management mechanisms, the organization of joint inspection counters under a single-window inspection model, investment planning and private-sector participation, smart checkpoint and clearance systems, border gate management and development mechanisms within Lao Cai province, transport corridor development, and logistics center development.
The ministry stated that Lao Cai border gate is used for passenger transport, while Kim Thanh border gate is used for goods transport. On 11 March, the delegation also visited the special economic zone associated with the Lao Cai international border gate, where customs clearance procedures can be carried out.
Relevance for Cambodia
The ministry linked the study visit directly to Cambodia’s efforts to improve international border gate infrastructure and logistics systems. The observations gathered during the visit may serve as a reference for technical design, administrative coordination, and operational planning for future Cambodian border gate and logistics projects.
The item is relevant for long-term reference because it records an official fact-finding mission tied to specific border infrastructure and logistics improvement initiatives involving MPWT, SF-CLIP, 3CEP, and JICA-supported technical engagement.
Official Source
Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), Facebook post published on 14 March 2026.
