An inspection team from the Mong Cai City People's Committee conducted a check at shops serving Chinese customers at the border gate on March 28. Many of the staff did not have work permits. Some shops were found to be selling products without clear origins.

One of the shops, Dai Duong Quoc Te, at 31 Hoa Binh Avenue had 10 Chinese staff. Many of the products on display including cosmetics, confectionery, jewellery, and medicines did not have clear origin or price tags.

The inspection team suspended the shop due to the violations.

Mong Cai Border Gate has recently received a rising number of Chinese tourists. The Mong Cai Customs Department said that they served nearly 10,000 Chinese visitors daily who arrive in Vietnam for short tours and shopping.

Local authorities have upgraded 14 markets and four shopping centres due to the recent increase in demand.

Mong Cai and Dongxing international border gates officially resumed customs clearance procedures for tourists in March last year following the Covid-19 hiatus.