Over 100 Vietnamese cargo vehicles have been held in China since the beginning of 2023, mainly due to contract disputes and drivers’ failure to preserve goods, according to the Management Board of Lao Cai Economic Zone.

The board issued a cautionary notice on Thursday regarding the increasing detention of Vietnamese vehicles in China, particularly at Ha Khau in Lao Cai Province. 

Chinese authorities have explained that irresponsibility in cargo preservation had led to damaged cargo, causing disputes between Vietnamese firms and their Chinese partners over compensation.

Other cases have involved contract disputes between Vietnamese and Chinese businesses which have led to the Chinese firms detaining Vietnamese cargo vehicles.

The Management Board of Lao Cai Economic Zone said it had coordinated with the Management Board of Ha Khau Border Gate and the Chinese side to deal with the issue, but its efforts have been in vain.

To prevent more Vietnamese transport vehicles from being kept in China, the management board called on enterprises to ensure the legality of their transactions with Chinese partners.

Local transport firms should ask drivers to clarify articles regarding the cargo and vehicle status quo in their contracts with cargo owners in Vietnam and the responsibility of relevant parties in case of disputes in China.

Since early this year, exports via border gates in Lao Cai Province have totaled US$316 million, surging 45 percent year-on-year, according to the Management Board of Lao Cai Economic Zone.

Vietnam’s key export products were durians, dragon fruits, bananas, wood, footwear, sulphur, and yellow phosphorus.

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