The northern border province of Lao Cai has made great efforts to link China's south-western localities with Vietnamese provinces and cities.

The province has upgraded transport infrastructure and improved facilities in the Lao Cai International Border-gate Economic Zone while expanding its Kim Thanh Economic Zone to facilitate Vietnamese and Chinese businesses.

The province is cooperating with China 's Yunnan province to build the Kunming-Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong economic corridor, which will make an effective contribution to accelerating the bilateral relationships, especially in trade and tourism.

Lao Cai will also join hands with Yunnan authorities to organise the Vietnam-China International Trade Fair 2011 in the province from November 11-16.

In its 11th outing, the event will be the largest of its kind in the northern border region and provide an opportunity for businesses from the two countries to advertise their products, better understand each other's demand and seek new trade partners, said Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Thanh Bien.

It will also offer provinces in the region opportunities to introduce advantages and potentials as well as projects seeking investment capital from Chinese investors.