Vietnam urged to reduce logistics costs to enhance competitiveness
The World Bank made public a report on improving Vietnam’s land transport and a strategy on sustainable development of inland waterway transport in the country at a workshop in Hanoi on March 28.
Hanoi (VNA) – The World Bank made public a report onimproving Vietnam’s land transport and a strategy on sustainable development ofinland waterway transport in the country at a workshop in Hanoi on March 28.
Yin Yin Lam, a senior transport expert of the WB, said landtransport is the backbone of the cargo transport system in Vietnam, citingfigures that land transport accounts for 77 percent of total cargo transport inthe country.
She noted that logistics costs in Vietnam made up nearly 21percent of the national GDP, which is higher than the ratio in most othercountries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This affectsthe country’s competitiveness in export and increases costs for both producersand consumers, she said. While taking note of improvements in Vietnam’s logisticssector, as the country rose from the 64th place in 2016 to the 39th place in 2018 in the WB’s Logistics Performance Index, the expert saidlogistics costs remain high. In order to enhance the efficiency of land transport, YinYin Lam urged the country invest more in infrastructure to reduce traffic jams,promote the use of barge for container transport and further develop coastalshipping along the north-south route. The expert also urged transport firms to modernise theirfleets and standardise the procedures for driver training and issuance ofdriving licences. According to the WB representative, the WB has committed 3.8billion USD in total to Vietnam’s transport sector since 1993. The money wasspent on building new roads, or to maintaining and upgrading existing routes. Regarding the inland waterway system, the WB expert saidpoor infrastructure has hindered the system’s development, such as ports withoutdated facilities and poor connectivity with other modes of transport. The WB recommended that the transport sector call for investmentfrom the private sector in the system of ports, while the state budget shouldfocus on transport infrastructure.-VNA
A joint venture between the Hanoi Export-Import Company (Geleximco) and International Transportation and Trading Joint Stock Company (ITC) has proposed building a logistics centre and Cai Mep Ha habour in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.
Many students showed interest in logistics startups while attending a recent seminar held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Export-Import Department and the Vietnam logistics training network.
The northern port city of Hai Phong is working to develop logistics services so that they will contribute 25 – 30 percent of its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) by 2030.
The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho needs to develop logistics centres to meet increasing demand for the transportation of goods by international and domestic airlines.
Developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Da Nang FTZ is designed to become a leading regional economic centre and a strategic growth pole in Vietnam’s new development landscape.
The Binh Duong Association of Supporting Industries (BASI) is expected to promote the usage of domestically manufactured components while supporting businesses in accessing international markets, strengthening linkages, and promoting deeper integration into global supply chains.
PwC Vietnam forecasts a vibrant M&A market in Vietnam’s healthcare sector in 2025, driven by rising demand for high-quality medical services and a growing middle class. Pharmaceutical companies, private hospitals, and specialised medical facilities, particularly in ophthalmology and oncology, are predicted to be key targets for M&A.
The central province of Quang Nam is set to become a hub for the medicinal plant industry, with Ngoc Linh ginseng designated as the core crop, under the Prime Minister's decision issued earlier this year.
The North-South Expressway project is scheduled for completion by 2030, aiming to establish the groundwork for Vietnam’s modern railway industry and stimulate regional economic development, positioning the country for a significant economic leap in the era of national rise.
The probe, initiated on June 11 following a petition by the US Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, targets products classified under HS Code 4412 and 9403 imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was born as a perfect piece in Sun Group’s strategic vision to build a premium ecosystem of tourism, entertainment, real estate, and aviation. With a pioneering ambition, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not just an airline, but a symbol of connection – bringing the world to Phu Quoc and taking Phu Quoc to the world.
A key change in the draft decree is a provision requiring bank transfers for gold transactions valued at 20 million VND (765 USD) and above, to enhance transparency and verify customer identities.
In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia surpassed 3 billion USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
On June 19 alone, a total of 2,005 trucks completed customs clearance at Lang Son’s border gates — the highest single-day figure ever recorded in the province. Of these, 634 carried exports and 1,371 imports.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
At the event (Photo: VNA) 
