Vietnam tests first driverless electric trucks for import transport from China

According to the Tan Thanh border guard station in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam, the test of automated guided vehicles (AGV) occurred on a dedicated cargo transport route near the Tan Thanh-Puzhai border crossing.

The trucks, equipped with multiple cameras and sensors, followed pre-programed paths from China into Vietnam.

On Monday night, border guards in Vietnam guided the trucks from the Vietnam-China border area to Bao Nguyen Truck Station near Tan Thanh International Border Gate.

The trucks still had drivers on board during the test to monitor operational parameters such as travel distance, runtime, and route recognition.

After completing the journey from the border to Bao Nguyen Truck Station, border guards and other task forces carried out their duties according to regulations.

Lieutenant Colonel Trinh Quang Hung, head of Tan Thanh Border Guard Station, said the test run was part of a broader pilot initiative for a smart border gate and local economic development.

He stated that the test prioritized security and safety while simultaneously maintaining border protection.

Vietnam’s first smart border gate is being piloted in Lang Son Province at a total cost of nearly VND8,000 billion (US$304 million), according to the Dong Dang-Lang Son Border Gate Economic Zone Management Board.

The project was set to be carried out in two phases: infrastructure development from the third quarter of 2024 to the second quarter of 2026, and a pilot operation from the third quarter of 2026 to the third quarter of 2029.

Authorities estimate that the smart border gate will increase daily cargo throughput at Huu Nghi International Border Gate, at 2,500-3,000 trucks, reduce customs clearance and handling costs by 30-40 percent, and save around VND4.5 million ($171) per vehicle in fees.