Hanoi lacks large-scale logistics centers

The bright and dark picture of the capital's logistics infrastructure

As a major economic center and locomotive of the North, Hanoi is maintaining a stable growth rate in the logistics sector. This is demonstrated by the city's ranking 4th nationwide in the provincial logistics competitiveness index. Warehouse service revenue recorded remarkable growth, from more than VND 55,000 billion in 2019 to more than VND 82,000 billion in 2023. Local businesses are also promoting digital transformation, expanding 3PL and 4PL services to participate more deeply in the global supply chain.

Regarding infrastructure, in the period of 2020 - 2025, Hanoi currently has about 400 enterprises using nearly 100 hectares of land for warehouses and goods gathering. The agricultural cold storage system has a capacity of 42,000 m3 with 41 cold storages and 7 enterprises providing this service.

Many large-scale projects have been and are gradually taking shape such as: Hateco Logistics Center (Long Bien), Northern Transport Exploitation Center (Me Linh), Yen Vien Railway Logistics Center, and ICD projects in My Dinh, Gia Lam, Soc Son, Phu Xuyen...

However, Mr. Nguyen The Hiep frankly admitted that although the warehouse system has developed in quantity, its scale is still mainly small, spontaneous and scattered in residential areas, and has not yet formed an effective centralized network. In particular, Hanoi is still "thirsty" for regional and national logistics centers. According to the requirements of the National Logistics Service Development Strategy, Hanoi needs to have 5 regional and international centers, but the current situation has not yet met this expectation.

Mr. Nguyen The Hiep - Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade.

Regarding traffic connectivity, although the city has made efforts to deploy Beltway 4, bridges over the Red River and upgrade railways and waterways, in reality, Hanoi logistics still depends too much on road transport, failing to take advantage of multimodality.

Compared with the National Logistics Services Development Strategy, Hanoi currently achieves a growth rate of 13-15% (exceeding the general target of 10-12%), the outsourcing rate reaches 55-60% (approaching the target of 60-70%). However, the biggest "bottleneck" lies in logistics costs, which still account for 16-17%, higher than the target of 13-15% set by the strategy.

Identify barriers

Assessing the limitations that hinder development, the leader of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade pointed out a series of systemic problems that the city is facing.

The biggest difficulty at present is the lack of large-scale logistics centers due to fragmented land funds and unsynchronized infrastructure, leading to the failure to form effective freight circulation hubs. In addition, multimodal connectivity is still weak, the system still depends too much on roads while other modes of transport have not been optimally exploited. The progress of implementing inland container depot (ICD) projects and logistics centers is also slower than expected, mainly due to problems in site clearance.

For agricultural products, logistics activities are still scattered, many cold storages are not up to standard, making the supply chain not guaranteed in quality. Another challenge comes from the legal corridor, when many new logistics models such as order fulfillment services, last-mile delivery or small transit stations are not specifically identified and recognized in current legal regulations.

In addition, most of the logistics enterprises in Hanoi are small in scale, facing difficulties in accessing capital and modern technology. Finally, the city still does not have a specific mechanism to develop urban logistics suitable to the characteristics of the capital.

To remove the above bottlenecks and realize the goals in the national strategy, Mr. Nguyen The Hiep said that in 2025 and the following years, Hanoi will focus on synchronously implementing many groups of solutions.

First of all, the city will review and update the Hanoi logistics planning to be consistent with the approved Capital Planning for the period 2021 - 2030. Along with that is training and capacity building for the business community, with special attention to training new logistics services and applying artificial intelligence (AI).

Regarding infrastructure, Hanoi will focus on developing and speeding up investment procedures for two approved logistics center projects and eight projects in the proposal stage.

Technology is also identified as a breakthrough spearhead, with the strong implementation of electronic logistics, optimizing data connection between parties including enterprises, ports, ICDs and customs agencies. At the same time, the city will strengthen market surveys to build a complete database of logistics enterprises in the area. Another important task is to connect electronic goods information in accordance with the spirit of Decree 08/2016, creating smooth flow of goods.

"Hanoi will continue to improve mechanisms, accelerate infrastructure investment, and innovate urban logistics models towards green and smart. We strive to help Hanoi meet the strategic logistics goals set out for 2035 and vision to 2045," the Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade emphasized.

Moonlight

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/doanh-nghiep/ha-noi-thieu-cac-trung-tam-logistics-quy-mo-lon/20251124105704238