Vietnam pushes for larger slice of China's booming durian market and border tourism
Vietnam is expanding its durian exports to China and leveraging growing cross-border tourism, while border towns seek higher incomes from the surge.
Vietnam entered China's fresh durian market in 2022 and quickly grew exports to US$2.2 billion in 2023, aiming for US$4 billion this year, while Thai varieties remain the favorite among Chinese shoppers. Faster logistics, including three-day shipments from southern Vietnam and cold-chain networks reaching as far north as Heilongjiang, are boosting trade and creating monthly earnings of 3,000-5,000 yuan for border residents.
Fruit traders in Nanning note that Thai durians still dominate taste tests, but Vietnamese Gan Yao is gaining traction. Along the border, cities like Mong Cai are investing in landmarks, cafés and river cruises to retain tourists, whereas Dongxing leverages its mixed Vietnamese-Chinese culture to attract domestic visitors. Both sides see the growing flow of goods and people as an opportunity to turn historic cross-border ties into shared economic benefits.
Why it matters
The story shows how Vietnam is reshaping regional fruit trade and border economies, affecting consumers, farmers and local jobs.
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