Ho Chi Minh City merges three associations, aiming to become the leading logistics center in Southeast Asia

The merger of three major logistics associations of Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau is expected to create new momentum, increase competitiveness and connectivity in the entire region.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade hopes that after the three associations merge, the new port cluster can rise to the global group of 30-35 - Photo: QUANG DINH

The only association in Vietnam that combines both logistics and seaport sectors

On October 31, three associations including Binh Duong Logistics Association, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Logistics and Seaport Association and Ho Chi Minh City Logistics Association officially merged to form Ho Chi Minh City Logistics and Seaport Association (HLA).

According to the personnel structure approved at the congress, Ms. Dang Thi Minh Phuong - General Director of MP Logistics Joint Stock Company - was elected to hold the position of Chairwoman of HLA.

6 Vice Chairmen include Ms. Vo Thi Phuong Lan - Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and General Director of My A Transport and Logistics Joint Stock Company; Mr. Truong Tan Loc - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tan Cang - Cai Mep International Port Company Limited; Mr. Cao Hong Phong - Deputy General Director of Gemadept - Terminal Link Cai Mep Port Company...

Ho Chi Minh City merges three associations, aiming to become the leading logistics center in Southeast Asia - Photo: CONG TRUNG

At the congress, member enterprises agreed on the goal of improving logistics services and developing the Ho Chi Minh City seaport system in a synchronous, modern and regionally integrated direction.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Dang Thi Minh Phuong said that HLA is the only association in Vietnam that combines both logistics and seaport sectors, marking an important development step for the industry.

The new Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics and Seaport Association is proud to contribute to connecting the strengths of the three localities of Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, to create a more unified and effective logistics ecosystem.

With the support of management agencies, Ms. Phuong believes that the ranking of Ho Chi Minh City's seaport system will be significantly improved in the coming time.

"Our goal is to strongly develop the logistics service industry in Ho Chi Minh City, becoming the leading logistics center in Southeast Asia," Ms. Phuong emphasized.

Ho Chi Minh City seaport will rise in global rankings

Mr. Tran Thanh Hai - Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) - assessed Ho Chi Minh City as the locality with the most vibrant logistics and import-export activities in the country.

The merger of three logistics associations of Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau into a unified organization creates new momentum, increases competitiveness and connectivity in the whole region.

According to Mr. Hai, all three localities of Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau are dynamic production, import-export and logistics centers.

Previously, each locality had its own association, showing that the logistics industry in the Southern region had developed strongly, while many other localities were still in the process of forming a similar organizational model.

With the merger, the Ho Chi Minh City seaport system, when connected with ports in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, will have outstanding scale and competitiveness. Previously, Ho Chi Minh City seaport and Ba Ria - Vung Tau port were separately in the top 50 largest ports in the world. When merged, the new port cluster can rise to the global group of 30 - 35.

In addition, Ho Chi Minh City has a special advantage when converging all types of transportation: seaport, air, road, rail and inland waterway, along with a strongly developed system of warehouses, delivery and electronic customs. Ho Chi Minh City will become an international logistics center, not only leading Vietnam but also reaching out to Southeast Asia and the world.

Mr. Hai said that on October 9, the Government issued Decision No. 2229/QD-TTg approving the Vietnam Logistics Services Development Strategy for the 2025-2035 period, with a vision to 2050.

According to this strategy, Ho Chi Minh City, along with Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Can Tho, are identified as five international logistics centers in the next 10 years.

Ho Chi Minh City has a special advantage when it converges all types of transportation: seaport, air, road, rail and inland waterway - Photo: QUANG DINH

"The establishment of the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics and Seaport Association at this time is a meaningful coincidence. This is an opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City to take the lead in implementing the national logistics strategy, affirming its role as the country's leading center," Mr. Hai emphasized.

Mr. Le Van Danh - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City - said that Ho Chi Minh City currently accounts for 23.5% of the country's GRDP, of which the logistics industry contributes about 8.5%.

Import and export goods through the Ho Chi Minh City seaport system alone account for 70% of the total volume of goods in the country, affirming the industry's important role in the national supply chain.

The Prime Minister has approved the Vietnam logistics development strategy, which identifies Ho Chi Minh City as an international-class logistics center.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade is committed to accompanying the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics and Seaport Association in planning strategies, building appropriate mechanisms and policies to facilitate logistics activities.

In addition, the Department of Industry and Trade assigned three key roles to the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics and Seaport Association.

Firstly, to act as a connecting point for businesses not only in the logistics industry but also between related fields.

Second, mobilize social resources and participate in investing in developing infrastructure and logistics services.

Third, pioneering digital transformation, green transformation, building a logistics ecosystem, green seaports, modern and internationally integrated.

Many development drivers and strong support policies

Mr. Danh said that Ho Chi Minh City is implementing a project to plan 8 large-scale logistics centers throughout the area, and at the same time, building a policy to support investment interest rates, which can support up to 50% of interest rates for key logistics center projects.

At the same time, the city is perfecting an open investment attraction mechanism, from land use planning, calling for strategic enterprises, to favorable operating policies.

Over the past two months, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade has developed a specific policy based on Resolution 98 of the National Assembly, focusing on two major contents related to logistics.

One is to allow calling for strategic investors to participate in large-scale logistics center projects.

Second is to research the establishment and operation of free trade zones (FTZs) with incentives on taxes, land and administrative procedures, to increase competitiveness and attract international investment.

"With that orientation, Ho Chi Minh City hopes to become the logistics locomotive of Vietnam, contributing to affirming its position as the leading economic and commercial center in the region," Mr. Danh affirmed.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tp-hcm-hop-nhat-ba-hiep-hoi-huong-den-trung-tam-logistics-hang-dau-khu-vuc-dong-nam-a-20251031160047848.htm