Jinshuihe Border Port in Honghe, Yunnan

Jinshuihe Border Port (金水河口岸) is a key national port in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南), and an important land passage connecting China to Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. It is located in Jinshuihe Town (金水河镇), the southern part of Jinning County (金平县), and was originally named Nafa Port (那发口岸). The port has played a critical role in trade and cultural exchange between China and its neighbors.

  • Location: Jinshuihe Town, Jinning County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province

  • Border Port: Faces Vietnam’s Ma Luu Tang Port (马鹿塘口岸) in Lai Chau Province (莱州省)

  • Port Level: National Category I Port

  • Opening Date: Approved as a Category I port in February 1993

  • Resumption of Passenger Services: February 2023

  • Trade Volume: In 2023, the port handled 51,500 tons of imports and exports, with a trade total of 371 million RMB

History and Development

Historical Timeline

  • 1897: Established during the Qing Dynasty (光绪二十三年), originally known as Nafa Port (那发口岸).

  • 1954: Opened as a border trade port.

  • 1978: Closed temporarily.

  • 1993: Reopened as a Category I national port and officially opened for trade in November 1993.

  • 2022: Upgraded to an international multilateral port, connecting to Laos and Myanmar.

  • 2023: Passenger service fully resumed, marking a significant milestone for the port.

Major Events:

  • 1960s: The port served as the northern starting point of the “Ho Chi Minh Trail” during the Vietnam War, facilitating the transportation of materials to aid the Vietnamese war effort.

  • 2020: The port temporarily halted passenger services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • 2023: Passenger and freight traffic resumed, with a significant increase in trade and travel activity.

Core Functions

Passenger Clearance Channel

  • Facilities: Equipped with 8 manual inspection channels, an international logistics center, and bonded warehouses.

  • Cross-Border App: More than 1,800 registered users in the border trade app, with 38 shops engaged in cross-border settlements.

  • Passenger Flow: During the summer of 2025, cross-border tourism is expected to focus on family visits and business exchanges.

Freight Clearance Channel

  • Main Trade: The port imports tropical fruits from Vietnam, such as durians and dragon fruit, while exporting electromechanical products from Yunnan.

  • Efficiency: The port implements a “one-time declaration, one-time inspection, one-time release” mechanism, improving the overall efficiency.

  • E-commerce: Construction of a cross-border e-commerce logistics distribution center, with designated regulatory areas for incoming agricultural products.

Transportation and Connectivity

Road Network

  • Highways: The ongoing construction of the high-grade highway from Mengzi (蒙自) to Jinshuihe will enhance the logistics capabilities of the port. The port is 470 km from Kunming (昆明).

Nearby Facilities

  • Legal Education Base: Located 3 km from the port, it was established in 2023 to provide legal education to the 74 surrounding border villages.

  • Border Trade Market: Duty-free allowance of 8,000 RMB per person per day, where visitors can purchase Vietnamese coffee, rubber shoes, and other local specialties.

Policy Updates and Development Plans

Cross-Border Cooperation

  • In 2023, Jinshuihe Port cooperated with Vietnam’s Lai Chau Province (莱州省) to host cultural exchange events such as the Chinese New Year celebration and youth cultural exchanges.

  • 党建联盟 (Party-building Alliance): The port has established a mechanism to bring together over 20 party organizations to support international trade, and has trained 214 professionals in international trade and languages.

Future Development

  • In 2024, plans to establish a border trade industry park are underway, and the port is poised to be included in the Honghe Free Trade Zone policy pilot.

  • E-commerce Logistics: The port will focus on expanding its role as a cross-border e-commerce logistics hub, particularly for the import of traditional Chinese medicine, grains, and fruits.

Practical Information

Customs Hours

  • Passenger Clearance: Open all day.

  • Inspection Stations: Operating hours are from 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 13:30 PM to 17:30 PM.

Contact Information

  • Jinshuihe Border Inspection Station: (0873-8810664)

  • Port Police Station: (0873-12345)

For more updates, please visit the Honghe Prefecture government website or follow the “Jinping Rongmei” WeChat account.

Economic Impact and Future Outlook

Jinshuihe Border Port plays a critical role in the economic development of Yunnan Province, particularly as a gateway to Southeast Asia and South Asia. The port has driven substantial trade between China and Vietnam and has the potential to further develop into a key international logistics and e-commerce hub. Future infrastructure improvements, including the construction of a high-grade highway and the establishment of a border trade industry park, will ensure that the port remains an essential part of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative and its economic ties with ASEAN countries.