China-Vietnam Border Tourism Surges as Holiday Trips Sell Out

What changed

China’s Guangxi province saw a sharp holiday surge in cross-border tourism around Chongzuo and Pingxiang, with visitors heading to Vietnam’s Lang Son for one-day trips and to De Tian Transnational Waterfall. Guangxi Huayue International Travel Agency said it was receiving 200 to 300 daily reservations, while tickets for De Tian from October 3 to 5 reached maximum capacity and sold out.

Why it matters

The border is being used as a tourism gateway, not just a crossing point. Chinese visitors can apply for border-tourism permits with their identity cards, submit materials two or three days ahead, and use holiday services including advance checks, extended hours and group processing.

That has made a cross-border day trip relatively simple during the holiday rush. The reported visitors mainly came from Guangdong and Sichuan, while attractions on the Chinese side were already operating at their stated limits. Demand after the holiday remains uncertain, but for now the mountain passes and waterfall are doing something unusual: turning a national border into part of the itinerary.