On May 14th, the international road transportation route from China to Hanoi, Vietnam was officially opened. In the morning, a transport convoy carrying electronic components, fresh vegetables, and department stores departed simultaneously from Nanning, Guangxi and Kunming, Yunnan, heading towards the South Vietnam River. This marked the first entry of Chinese freight vehicles into the hinterland of Vietnam with CBTA (Greater Mekong Subregion Convenience Agreement for the Cross border Transport of Goods and Personnel) documents. What does holding a CBTA certificate mean? The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) involves six countries: China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The so-called CBTA document, in simple terms, refers to a multi country road transport permit under the cooperation framework of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). With this document, passenger and freight vehicles can carry out transportation on routes agreed upon by the six countries. New channel, opening up the development path of the Greater Mekong Subregion. On that day, a convoy of 18 trucks and 2 buses from Guangxi, Yunnan, and Qingdao, Shandong, split into two routes and headed towards Hanoi, Vietnam. Route 1 departs from Nanning Comprehensive Bonded Zone, exits through Guangxi Friendship Port, enters through Vietnam Friendship Port, passes through Lang Son, Beijiang, and Beining in Vietnam, and finally arrives in Hanoi, Vietnam. The transportation distance is about 400 kilometers and is expected to take 2 days; Route 2 departs from Kunming Comprehensive Bonded Zone, exits through Yunnan Hekou Port, enters through Vietnam Laojie Port, passes through Vietnam Laojie, Anpei, and Yuechi, and finally arrives in Hanoi, Vietnam. The total distance is about 700 kilometers and is expected to take 2 days. The crossing of 400 kilometers and 700 kilometers has opened a new chapter in international road transport cooperation among GMS countries, becoming a development path to promote cross-border economic cooperation among Lancang Mekong countries and achieve a more integrated, prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive vision. Establish a new channel and build a convenient transportation network for China Vietnam economy and trade. For both China and Vietnam, cross-border transportation breaks geographical restrictions and enables efficient flow of goods, resources, and services. This transportation has achieved direct delivery from the place of origin to the consignee, realizing door-to-door and point-to-point direct transportation. According to the company's introduction, compared to previous transportation modes, each truck can save about 1 day of time, and the cost can be reduced by 800 to 1000 yuan. The transportation time is greatly reduced, and the transportation cost is also significantly reduced. Two routes will connect the transportation routes from Hekou Port and Youyiguan Port to Hanoi, Vietnam, enhancing the convenience of international road transportation between China and Vietnam. The picture shows the freight vehicles ready to go at the opening ceremony. Xinhua News Agency reporter Fan Xi takes a photo of the new channel, promoting cultural exchanges between China and Vietnam in both directions. The opening of the new channel opens up new spaces for convenient cross-border transportation of goods and personnel. While accelerating the improvement and enrichment of the cross-border transportation system, it will further enrich the cultural and tourism channels between the two sides and promote the "two-way flow" of cultural exchanges between China and Vietnam. During this event, representatives from the transportation, customs, and border defense departments of both China and Vietnam will accompany the vehicles throughout the entire journey to study and solve problems that affect convenient transportation. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam and the "China Vietnam Cultural Exchange Year". The smooth flow of goods and people between the two countries has become a microcosm of mutual achievements and common development between China and Vietnam. Wang Xiuchun, Deputy Director of the Transport Services Department of the Ministry of Transport, stated that this event is an important node for cross-border transportation cooperation. China will take this opportunity to work with Vietnam to accelerate the interconnection of infrastructure between China and Vietnam, further reduce driver visa fees, improve customs clearance efficiency, deepen the implementation of bilateral agreements between China and Vietnam, and enhance the convenience level of international road transportation. (New Society)