Cross-border trade driving China-Vietnam ties

Nations capitalize on business cooperation as shopping boom pushes increased consumption

KUNMING — At dawn, Vietnamese tourists lined up at Hekou Port, the largest land port along the Yunnan section of the China-Vietnam border, drawn by more than mere sightseeing.

Amid the lines, men carrying bulging sacks filled with household appliances, small consumer goods, and snacks are a common sight. This bustling scene is driven by Vietnam's cross-border shopping boom, propelling a wave of Chinese goods southward.

This shopping frenzy is reshaping the border economy as foreign consumers increasingly flock to Chinese e-commerce platforms for Made in China products.