People-to-people exchanges between China and Vietnam have remained close over the years. Since COVID-19 control measures were lifted, the border region in southwest China has welcomed a soaring number of tourists from its neighbor. Local agencies are now looking to cash in. Yang Jinghao has the details.

YANG JINGHAO Hekou County, Yunnan Province "I'm at Hekou Port in southwest China's Yunnan Province, a major gateway connecting China with Vietnam. The port reopened in January after COVID control measures were lifted and has recorded a growing number of Vietnamese tourists in the time since."

TRAN VIET HOA Vietnamese tourist "I heard Yunnan has a lot of beautiful attractions. I'm coming to see for myself."

HOANG LIEN Vietnamese tourist "I'll try as many kinds of food as possible, and I'll also visit more often, because last time I was a bit tired. This time, I will try to discover every corner of the places I'm going to visit."

Industry insiders say before the pandemic, the land port only attracted some 1,000 to 2,000 tourists from Vietnam each year. The numbers really began to soar in April.

JIANG FUQUAN Manager, Hekou Branch of Kanghui Travel Agency "I didn't expect so many visitors in December, but tour groups keep pouring in. There's expected to be another peak during the upcoming New Year Holiday. I guess there will be about 3,000 people coming in daily."

A key driver for the boom is a special border pass prepared by travel agencies. With it, Vietnamese nationals conveniently cross the border and tour the whole of Honghe Prefecture that administrates Hekou County, in Yunnan Province.

Data from the local tourism department shows that so far, the prefecture alone has received some 85,000 tourists from the Southeast Asian country this year.

TRAN HUE Vietnamese tourist "This is my first time to Pingbian County. I feel great. It's picturesque here, and what impresses me most is the friendliness and hospitality of the locals. I'd bring my family and friends over here in future."

With the growing popularity, local tourist agencies are eyeing an even bigger boom in the years to come.

JIANG FUQUAN Manager, Hekou Branch of Kanghui Travel Agency "Next year, we will try to launch a self-driving service for Vietnamese guests, as our agency is qualified for it. It's already on our must-do list."

Other forms of exchanges are also in full swing. A cross-border cycling race is underway, with part of the track inside China and part inside Vietnam. It's attracted some 600 participants from both countries.