[Aim]The Sino-Vietnamese border border is the most important pathway from China to countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In recent years, alien invasive plants have increasingly posed severe threat to the ecological security and economic development of the region. To effectively prevent and control alien invasive plants, thus ensuring eco-security and a healthy development of the region, it is necessary to define the invasive status of alien plants in the Sino-Vietnamese border area.[Method] Species composition, life forms, and levels of damage were analyzed via field surveys, photography, and collection of specimens. Native range and invasive pathway of the investigated invasive plants were obtained through literature review.[Result] A total of 121 alien invasive plant species were found, which belonged to 38 families. Among these, most (26 species) belonged to the Asteraceae family, followed by Leguminosae with 11 species. One hundred and two species of herbs were found, representing 84.30% of the total. Literature records showed that 92 species originated from tropical America (i.e., 68.66% of the total number of species). Sixty-eight species were intentionally introduced. Furthermore, 23 species were found to pose a high level of threat to the local biodiversity, with a further 32 species representing a medium level, and 66 species a low level of threat.[Conclusion] Species of alien invasive plants in the study area were abundant, their distribution was wide, and their invasive pathways complex. Among these invasive plants, many have already become a very severe threat. This threat urgently needs to be addressed to prevent further damage. The trends of the new invasive species need to be monitored and the most invasive species need to be controlled.