Elevating the maritime economy

Billion-dollar seaports are reshaping the destination landscape in Central Vietnam. With seamless integration and connectivity in this new space, that status is further elevated...

Identifying the strategic link

In the context of the national maritime economic restructuring, Da Nang City is emerging as a strategic link in the Central Vietnam maritime logistics chain. Investment movements at Lien Chieu Port and Chu Lai Port not only expand the maritime economic space but also reshape the Central region's position on the national maritime map.

Chu Lai Port welcomes ships weighing tens of thousands of tons.

PHOTO: THACO

Da Nang's maritime economy is being rewritten with a "port city" mindset, rather than just a " tourist city." For many years, Tien Sa Port has played a crucial role as a maritime gateway for the region, but its development potential is increasingly limited as it serves both cargo and international cruise ships. This necessitates the formation of a new port center capable of connecting regional logistics.

The emergence of Lien Chieu Port therefore carries strategic significance. This is not simply an infrastructure project, but is considered a turning point that will help Da Nang reposition its role in the regional supply chain. According to the plan, it will be a leading modern deep-water port in Central Vietnam, with a total investment of over 45,000 billion VND (approximately 1.76 billion USD), including a system of container terminals, warehouses, a logistics center, and railway connections, capable of receiving container ships up to 18,000 TEU. A series of satellite logistics projects are being developed around the Lien Chieu area.

Recently, Viettel Post Corporation commenced construction of the Da Nang Logistics Center in Lien Chieu Industrial Park with an investment of over 722 billion VND, integrating automation technology, cold storage, and a modern sorting center. From a geoeconomic perspective, Lien Chieu possesses a rare advantage as it is located at the end of the East-West economic corridor. With a synchronized system of ports, railways, expressways, and logistics, Da Nang could become an important import and export gateway for the entire Greater Mekong Subregion.

Meanwhile, in the south of the city, Chu Lai is emerging as an industrial logistics hub linked to a manufacturing ecosystem. Instead of developing as a service-based city, Chu Lai has chosen a different path: focusing on industry and logistics as its core. The Chu Lai International Port is currently planned as a Class I seaport, playing a key role as a regional hub in Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands. The development of Chu Lai Port is directly linked to the industrial ecosystem of THACO and the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone, creating a closed-loop logistics model from production and transportation to export.

Previously, the marine economy of Central Vietnam relied primarily on exploiting natural resources such as fishing, aquaculture, and tourism. Now, "modern marine economy" is understood more broadly, encompassing logistics, supply chains, seaports, support industries, and international trade.

The "big players" have been revealed.

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Following the merger, the new Quang Tri province possesses a vast and potentially rich marine economic space, the best in Central Vietnam, with a coastline stretching over 190 km. This expands the scope for development and creates a synchronized marine linkage chain (tourism, seaports, logistics, seafood exploitation, renewable energy).

Vinh Tan International Port

PHOTO: QH

Quang Tri's maritime economy is developing a large-scale infrastructure system. The My Thuy seaport, with a total investment of approximately 15,000 billion VND, is planned to have 10 berths capable of receiving ships up to 100,000 DWT. Along with Hon La port, which continues to play a key role as the northern maritime gateway of the newly established province, and the existing road and air transport systems, Quang Tri is expected to become a logistics and goods transshipment center for the North Central region and the East-West economic corridor.

Dung Quat (Quang Ngai) is also gradually shifting from a "port for receiving and delivering goods" model to an integrated logistics ecosystem. The seaport is directly connected to industrial zones, LNG storage facilities, logistics centers, inter-regional transportation networks, and is oriented towards connecting with the Bo Y International Border Gate Economic Zone to form an East-West logistics corridor. At that time, goods from Southern Laos, Northeastern Cambodia, and the Central Highlands will converge at Dung Quat for export to the world.

Dung Quat's biggest advantage lies in its deep-water port system, capable of receiving ships from 50,000 to 200,000 DWT. Thanks to its ability to accommodate large vessels, goods from Dung Quat can be exported directly to markets in the US, Europe, and Northeast Asia without transshipment through multiple ports, saving approximately 15-20% in transportation costs. More importantly, with the emergence of clean energy projects linked to the port (such as the Dung Quat port, storage, and LNG terminal project, expected to supply gas by the end of 2027), this is seen as a proactive step in embracing the global trend of "green logistics."

Khanh Hoa province is taking a new and different approach compared to the conventional economic zone model, by coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to develop the Van Phong Special Economic Zone project. Mr. Tran Minh Chien, Head of the Management Board of Economic Zones and Industrial Parks of Khanh Hoa province, shared that focusing on developing industry, logistics, tourism, and urban areas is the main objective for Van Phong to strive to be among the top 3 best economic zones in Vietnam. From there, it aims to become one of the major, modern maritime economic centers of the region and the country.

With tens of billions of USD in investment already poured in, the Van Phong Economic Zone is not only a driving force for Khanh Hoa province but is also becoming a strategic maritime gateway for the entire South Central and Central Highlands regions. Van Phong Bay, with an average depth of 20-27 meters, is sheltered from wind, does not experience sedimentation, and is located near international shipping routes – natural conditions rarely found in deep-water bays in Southeast Asia. This is why the 150,000-hectare Van Phong Economic Zone is planned as an international transshipment port, logistics center, maritime industry hub, and high-end coastal urban area, with the expectation of playing a key role in maritime logistics for the region.

From logistics bottlenecks to new development axes.

Located in Vinh Hao commune, Lam Dong province (formerly Tuy Phong district, Binh Thuan province), right on the border with Ca Na area (Khanh Hoa), Vinh Tan International Port has established itself as a strategic "gateway" to the South Central coastal economic zone. Invested in by the Pacific Group with over 2,300 billion VND, Vinh Tan International Port covers a total area of ​​over 165 hectares with 3 main berths, capable of accommodating ships from 50,000 DWT to 100,000 DWT, and has been operational since the beginning of 2020. Currently, the port provides warehousing, cargo handling, logistics, support services, and other value-added services. The volume of goods handled through the port is quite diverse, including fly ash for the Vinh Tan Power Center, ilmenite ore, bulk salt, and oversized and overweight equipment for renewable energy projects.

A view of the Van Phong Economic Zone

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From an infrastructure project, Vinh Tan International Port has gradually transformed into a true logistics center, where goods not only pass through but are also organized, channeled, and optimized for value. Now, the port carries a new mission: a gateway for goods connecting Lam Dong province to the open sea.

For many years, the Central Highlands and the South Central region faced the economic challenge of high logistics costs and heavy reliance on distant ports such as Cai Mep - Thi Vai or major transportation hubs. The emergence of Vinh Tan International Port has created a significant turning point. Instead of having to take a long detour to reach the sea, goods from the Central Highlands can now travel directly to the new coastal areas of Lam Dong via connecting routes such as National Highway 28B and National Highway 27. Thus, not only does it solve the cost problem, Vinh Tan International Port also contributes to restructuring the supply chain of the entire region.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nang-tam-kinh-te-bien-18526061616033069.htm