Under its expanded development strategy, Quang Ninh city is pairing digital tools with active community engagement to modernize border management and maritime security. By combining high-tech infrastructure with public vigilance, local Border Guard forces are safeguarding national sovereignty while streamlining conditions for international trade and investment.
Streamlining port administration at Hon Gai
The Hon Gai Port Border Guard Station oversees a major maritime gateway with heavy flows of vessels, crew members, and international travelers. Since the start of the year, the station has processed customs and immigration procedures for nearly 2,100 vessels, 97,000 crew members, and more than 116,000 passengers.
In order to maintain continuous maritime trade, the station operates a 24/7 electronic border management platform. "Our officers monitor the digital system continuously, including during public holidays," says Lieutenant Colonel Phan Van Quan, Head of the Station's Clearance Team. "Administrative files are processed without delay, ensuring seamless maritime traffic through the port".
This round-the-clock clearance capability offers measurable efficiency gains for logistics operators.
"Submitting declarations online 24/7 frees businesses from standard office hours and allows agencies to coordinate clearances simultaneously", notes Luu Anh Tuan, representative of B&D Trading and Logistics JSC. "Processing time per file has dropped from one to two hours down to approximately 15 minutes".
Community engagement and tech-driven security
In addition to trade facilitation, maintaining political stability and maritime order remains a top operational objective. The station's jurisdiction covers busy port facilities alongside a dense network of tour boats operating in Ha Long Bay and local fishing fleets.
Managing such an expansive zone requires a digital-first approach to community policing. By placing anonymous QR-code reporting portals across passenger terminals and vessels, border authorities enable tourists, ship captains, and residents to flag security concerns in real time.
Nguyen Tien Binh, Captain of vessel QN 9989, notes that scanning a QR code aligns naturally with daily smartphone use, providing a practical reporting tool for maritime workers and visitors alike.
Using public inputs alongside standard operations, the unit proactively resolves issues at the local level. Since the beginning of the year, the Hon Gai station has handled 14 legal violation cases involving 14 individuals and 14 vessels, preventing security hotspots from developing. Captain Nguyen Si Thinh, Head of the Anti-Drug and Crime Unit, emphasizes that the QR system offers an immediate information channel that helps officers verify and address incidents early.
Scaling digital governance across Quang Ninh city
These modernization efforts extend beyond Hon Gai across all maritime border posts in Quang Ninh city. Year-to-date, local border guard units have cleared over 3,000 ships, millions of tons of cargo, and tens of thousands of international visitors, securing trade flows across the region.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Manh Dat, Deputy Commander of the Hon Gai Station, border units will continue digitizing vessel registries, crew databases, and entry-exit records while maintaining strict cybersecurity standards.
As international commerce and tourism scale up, border governance must be fast, secure, and proactive. Combining digital management with community-based security gives Quang Ninh city the operational tools to protect its maritime borders while building a open, competitive environment for global commerce.
