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| Logistics services and freight transport by rail have great potential but have not been fully exploited. In the photo: Cargo gathering area at Trang Bom Station ( Dong Nai province). |
For Vietnam, economic growth and import and export are contributing to the development of the logistics service industry. However, the logistics sector still faces many barriers, requiring transformation to develop a sustainable supply chain.
Trade drives logistics growth
According to Ms. Nguyen Thao Hien, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Market Development ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ), global trade is clearly on the path to recovery. In 2024, the total value of global trade will reach nearly 33 trillion USD, an increase of 3.3% compared to 2023.
In Vietnam alone, the first 6 months of 2025 recorded a total import-export turnover of about 432 billion USD, an increase of more than 16% over the same period. Exports reached nearly 220 billion USD, imports were more than 212 billion USD, and the trade surplus was more than 7 billion USD.
Trade promotes logistics growth, the scale of freight transport increases with the scale of production, import and export. In the first 6 months of 2025, Vietnam's freight volume reached more than 1.4 billion tons, an increase of nearly 14.3% over the same period in 2024. In particular, good growth in import and export activities in the first 6 months of the year has promoted the volume of goods through seaports to grow by double digits, reaching more than 573 million tons, an increase of 15% over the same period in 2024.
Experts forecast that the logistics market in Vietnam will continue to grow in the second half of 2025. This is due to the general outlook from the scale of trade and the potential of new large-scale industrial parks after the merger of localities; domestic and cross-border e-commerce continues to expand. The government is strongly promoting the progress of public investment, while investment in logistics infrastructure with the participation of the private sector is also encouraged, thereby improving the efficiency of logistics services in Vietnam. In addition, the shift of global supply chains and foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam are expected to increase, promoting Vietnam's international trade in the coming years.
At seaports, overcoming global challenges, revenue and output also achieved positive results. For example, Dong Nai Port Joint Stock Company recorded strong growth in both revenue and profit in the second quarter. Accordingly, in the second quarter, Dong Nai port's revenue reached VND 392 billion, an increase of 22% over the same period in 2024. This is thanks to the port exploiting more output of rolled steel, iron and steel, steel billets... to serve production, so the transportation and unloading activities through the port increased.
Despite being affected by global fluctuations, Vietnam is still affirming its position in the regional supply chain, with the logistics index ranking 43/139 globally and 5th in ASEAN.
The challenge of transformation for sustainable development
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in the context of global trade and investment continuing to develop complicatedly from April 2025 to present, logistics enterprises must continuously change, predict, adapt and, in short, strive to improve resilience and competitiveness to survive in a rapidly changing environment.
Dr. Dinh Thi Bao Linh, Deputy Director of the Center for Industry and Trade Information (Ministry of Industry and Trade), commented that fluctuations in trade policies, geopolitics and environmental standards are posing urgent requirements for procedural reform, infrastructure upgrading and proactive integration to avoid being eliminated from the global supply chain.
Similarly, Mr. Juergen Weber, Chairman of the Transport and Logistics Subcommittee of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), commented that Vietnam has great potential to become a new logistics hub in the region if it continues to improve infrastructure, simplify procedures and develop green logistics. Currently, the greening of logistics in Vietnam is facing many challenges, especially when businesses want to access deeper into the EU market. Limitations such as the logistics infrastructure in Vietnam is not yet synchronous, some policies and regulations are still inconsistent. Overcoming these barriers, this is a golden time for Vietnam to build a modern, efficient and sustainable logistics system, while empowering the next generation with a complete set of tools to develop a green economy.
The current challenge, according to Mr. Dinh Xuan Khanh, Director of Tan Cang Saigon Logistics Center, is that high logistics costs have become the main barrier for Vietnam, accounting for 14-15% of GDP compared to the world average of 9-10%. The dependence on international carriers causes freight rates to increase when demand for goods increases, putting pressure on import-export businesses. Therefore, Vietnam needs to integrate management, infrastructure and technology into a synchronous strategy.
In the field of railway transport, Mr. Nguyen Duy Toan, Director of Ratraco Transport Solutions Company Limited, shared that Vietnam's railways are mainly single-track, 1m gauge, with limited load and speed. Railway transport accounts for less than 1% of transport turnover due to lack of infrastructure investment. Limited infrastructure not only affects domestic transport but also hinders the export of goods to major markets. Upgrading railways is an urgent requirement; this is clearly shown when the Vietnam - China intermodal route has doubled the transport output in the first half of this year compared to last year. When the Hai Phong - Lao Cai railway is upgraded to 1.435m gauge, the stations are expanded and the number of locomotives is increased, it will meet the demand for international intermodal transport, especially with China...
Van Gia
Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202507/doanh-nghiep-logistics-huong-den-chuoi-cung-ung-ben-vung-a14269c/
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