Strengthening customs–business connections

In recent years, Customs Sub-department of Area VI has been prioritizing dialogue with the community of businesses engaged in import-export activities. This practical initiative fosters better coordination between customs force and businesses. Through these dialogues, customs officers can timely detect the challenges faced by companies and help them to receive prompt support and facilitate import-export activities in the province.

Tan Thanh is one of the busiest border gates for import-export operations. To maximize facilitation of customs clearance and attract more businesses, since 2023 the Tan Thanh Border Gate Customs Team has implemented diverse measures to help companies.

Mr. Trieu Van Hanh, Deputy Team Leader of Tan Thanh Customs, said: “Currently, 1,466 businesses are filing customs procedures at this border gate. Customs officers actively track the production and business status of these businesses to offer timely support and expedite customs clearance. In addition to organizing dialogues, the Tan Thanh Customs Team established and maintained a unit to address any problems and assigned officers at the clearance area to assist businesses. From 2023 to now, Tan Thanh Customs has received and resolved difficulties for over 3,000 import-export companies.”

Not limited to Tan Thanh, customs force of Dong Dang International Railway Station has also implemented coordinated measures to proactively grasp and resolve issues faced by trading businesses. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Nga, Deputy Team Leader at Dong Dang International Railway Station Customs, reported: “Since 2023, our unit has coordinated three meetings with import-export businesses. This has helped attract more companies to clear goods here. In the first half of 2025, 140 businesses handled import-export procedure through this border gate—a 48.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

According to Customs Sub-department of Area VI, from 2023 onwards, the Sub-department and its units have organized ten dialogues with over 1,000 companies representing more than 3,500 import-export businesses operating in the province. Furthermore, local customs units have created and maintained teams to address any problems and set up channels to receive feedback and recommendations from the business community via suggestion boxes, their website, and hotlines. Immediately after each dialogue, customs force conduct in-depth analysis of business concerns to develop appropriate solutions.

In the first half of 2025, provincial import-export turnover exceeded USD 36.8 billion, a 44.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Import-export tax revenue at provincial border gates reached over 4,659 billion VND , a 47% rise compared to the same period last year.

Ms. Be Thi Thuong, staff at Trung Dong LS Import–Export Co., Ltd. (Ky Lua ward), said: “I regularly file declarations at Tan Thanh Customs. I always receive enthusiastic support and timely help to solve any arising problems from customs officers. Especially, the unit addressing problems here operates regularly and effectively—always ready to advise and guide companies through procedures. Hence, our firm places strong trust in handling customs clearance through Tan Thanh Border Gate.”

Thanks to such support and diverse facilitation measures from customs, many import-export businesses have been attracted to the area, boosting the province’s border economy. As reported by Customs Sub-department of Area VI in the first half of 2025, import-export turnover surpassed USD 36.8 billion (up 44.6% YoY), and tax revenue exceeded 4,659 billion VND (up 47% YoY).

Mr. Vy Cong Tuong, Deputy Sub-department Manager of Customs of Area VI, stated: “Through meetings, customs force is able to promptly receive and analyze detailed business feedback and coordinate with relevant parties to implement solutions. Looking ahead, the Sub-department will continue partnering with relevant provincial departments and agencies to host more Customs–Business Dialogues; instruct customs units to facilitate the business community in import-export procedures; assign skilled officers to promptly consult and answer to the question of businesses under the principle “Finish the task, not just the shift”; monitor promptly businesses’ concerns to provide support and solutions; intensify administrative reform to simplify procedures, reduce travel time and costs for the public and businesses; and maintain coordination with other functional forces to track developments at border gates and promptly address arising situations, creating the best conditions for import-export activities.”

The active support from customs officials at border gates has provided tangible assistance to import-export businesses in the province. With attention from provincial agencies—particularly customs—customs clearance activities are expected to remain dynamic and maintain their upward trend. This, in turn, will promote the development of the border economy and substantially contribute to the province’s growth objectives.