Tan Nam International Border Gate: Unleashing the dynamic of the border region

From a border area with many difficulties, Tan Nam International Border Gate (Tan Bien commune, Tay Ninh province) has now taken on a new appearance—modern and full of aspirations.

Upgrading Tan Nam Border Gate from a sub-border gate to an international border gate not only has economic significance but is also a symbol of the will and aspiration of the border region—a place where sovereignty, friendship, and the spirit of integration intersect, affirming the strategic position of Tay Ninh on the regional trade map.

“Golden gateway” of the Southern key economic zone

With its strategic location, Tay Ninh after the merger is transforming strongly to become the center of trade and logistics services in the Southeast region. The province owns 4 international border gates, 4 national border gates, and 13 secondary border gates along with a series of traditional routes across the border, creating a dense trade network directly linking Vietnam and Cambodia.

Located in the Southern key economic zone, Tay Ninh has a border of nearly 369 km, bordering 3 provinces: Svay Rieng, Prey Veng and Tboung Khmum of the Kingdom of Cambodia. On this border, 4 international border crossings—Moc Bai, Xa Mat, Binh Hiep and Tan Nam—become “golden gateways” opening up a cross-border economic corridor. In particular, Tan Nam international border gate was upgraded by the government from a secondary border gate to an international border gate. This is a strategic decision, with profound political, economic and diplomatic significance, demonstrating a long-term vision in border development.

A symbol of the aspiration for trade and integration

On May 31, 2021, the People's Committee of Tay Ninh province coordinated with the government of Prey Veng province (Kingdom of Cambodia) to officially announce the opening of the Tan Nam-Meun Chey International Border Gate pair. This event marks a new step forward in bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, while affirming the strategic role of Tay Ninh in border economic development.

By October 26, 2024, the journey to build Tan Nam International Border Gate entered a new phase: the national gate, control station, main road, technical infrastructure were all completed, bringing a modern appearance to the border area.

The project has a total investment of 274 billion VND, spanning an area of ​​over 24 hectares, including 5 main items: a national gate nearly 26 m high; a 2-story joint control station with an area of ​​nearly 3,500 m²; a border control station of 1.44ha; a main road 1.2 km long; and a synchronous technical infrastructure system from electricity, water supply and drainage, telecommunications, fire prevention and fighting to the import and export and administrative area.

In just over 300 days of construction, 18 bid packages were deployed simultaneously, all of which met and exceeded the schedule. Nearly 400 engineers, workers and staff have "overcome the sun and rain", working day and night to turn the border area into a project of national stature.

Mr. Vo Tan Luc, General Director of Tan Ngoc Luc Company Limited (Tan Ninh Ward), the construction unit, said, "On the first day of receiving the project, there was only forest and red soil around here. There were rainy nights when we still had to pour concrete all night to keep up with the progress, but thanks to the support of the investor, the border guards, and customs, we had a stable place to live, and the construction was non-stop."

“To meet the completion schedule before August 30, 2025, we increased our workforce, dividing the work into shifts from 7am to 3am the next morning. Each package has a detailed plan, and the deputy director directly monitors the site. Thanks to that determination, the project has "finished" on schedule, ensuring quality and technical requirements," Director of the Provincial Construction Investment Project Management Board Truong Van De shared.

The 35.6 km-long Provincial Road 791 leading to Tan Nam International Border Gate has also been invested in upgrading and completed by the end of 2024. This is the "blood vessel" connecting Tan Nam-Meun Chey and Xa Mat-Trapeang Phlong (Kingdom of Cambodia), forming a cross-border economic corridor.

In the near future, traffic projects such as the Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai Expressway and the Go Dau-Xa Mat Expressway, when completed, will create a seamless connection to Tan Nam, turning the border area into a dynamic import and export gateway. When the border infrastructure is completed, Tan Nam Border Gate Economic Zone can become a new growth pole of Tay Ninh, alongside Moc Bai, contributing to restructuring the economic development space of the region.

New growth driving force border gate quadrilateral

If previously Moc Bai International Border Gate was considered the number one gateway connecting Vietnam with Cambodia, now, together with Xa Mat, Binh Hiep and Tan Nam, Tay Ninh has formed an "international border gate quadrangle," the foundation for the multi-center border gate economic model. Many import and export enterprises have chosen Tan Nam International Border Gate as a transit point for goods to Cambodian provinces.

"From Tan Nam International Border Gate, the travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh is shortened by 1/3 of the distance compared to Moc Bai International Border Gate. Thanks to that, it creates a great competitive advantage in logistics, the fastest, most convenient and economical transit route for goods and passengers between Vietnam and Cambodia," Mr. Tran Thai Binh, CEO of RUBYTRAN Import-Export and Transport Company Limited (Ho Chi Minh City), commented.

Along with that, functional forces such as the Border Gate Management Center (Provincial Economic Zone Management Board), Customs, Border Guards, and Police closely coordinate in handling exit and entry procedures and controlling goods through customs. Deputy Head of Xa Mat International Border Gate Customs Nguyen Minh Tri said that commercial activities at Tan Nam International Border Gate have increased and are in line with the province's direction.

The customs force always carries out customs procedures and guides businesses properly, fully, and in accordance with the provisions of law, promptly removing difficulties and obstacles of businesses to create the best conditions and promote trade activities between Vietnam and Cambodia in the coming time.

This result not only brings commercial value but also creates a boost for the border area, realizing the goal of bringing bilateral trade turnover to 20 billion USD by 2030.

The province is prioritizing attracting strategic investors in the fields of smart logistics, digital economy, green economy, circular and knowledge economy, and sustainable border gate economic model. Border gate economy not only promotes the export and import of goods but also opens up opportunities to connect global supply chains, turning the border from an "administrative boundary" into a "prosperity bridge."

Upgrading Tan Nam to an international border gate and putting it into operation not only facilitates and strengthens the friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia but also opens up a new journey—a journey of connection, cooperation, and development. Tan Nam - Tay Ninh International Border Gate is writing its own new chapter—a chapter of aspirations for trade, integration, and prosperity./.

By Thao Trang - Translated by Q. Thien