Ho Chi Minh City aims to become a logistics hub.

On September 12th, Saigon Port Joint Stock Company hosted the 30th anniversary celebration of the Vietnam Ports Association (VPA) and the 2024 VPA Annual Conference in Ho Chi Minh City.

Attending the ceremony were Comrade Phan Van Mai, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, along with representatives from relevant units.

Comrade Phan Van Mai speaks at the event. Photo: HOANG HUNG

According to Le Cong Minh, Chairman of the Vietnam Port Association (VPA), the volume of goods passing through VPA ports annually accounts for approximately 60% of general cargo, bulk cargo, and liquid cargo, and about 90% of container cargo nationwide.

In the first six months of this year, the total volume of container cargo handled through VPA seaports increased by 25% compared to the same period last year. Growth this year is expected to be better than in 2023, by 15% - 20%, especially for container cargo.

It is projected that by 2030, the volume of goods handled through Vietnam's entire seaport system will increase 1.6 - 2.1 times; and by 2050, it will increase 4.1 - 4.8 times compared to the present.

Regarding the direction for 2025, Mr. Le Cong Minh said that in the coming time, the association will continue to strengthen human resource development for seaports; organize specialized seminars on port operation and development according to new trends, especially on digitalization and greening of seaports...

At the same time, VPA also made several recommendations such as: Innovating seaport development in line with the trend of standardizing information infrastructure, digitalization, and greening seaports; Prioritizing investment in inter-regional transport corridors and infrastructure...

Speaking at the ceremony, Comrade Phan Van Mai affirmed that Ho Chi Minh City, with its favorable location and economic conditions, will be the largest logistics center in the country and has the capacity for international integration, which should be leveraged for continued development.

Over the past period, the Vietnam Port Association has made important contributions to policy and strategic development orientation for Ho Chi Minh City, helping the city contribute a large proportion to the overall results of Vietnam's port industry.

Looking ahead to 2030, Ho Chi Minh City will focus on implementing the Can Gio International Transshipment Port project within the Cai Mep - Thi Vai - Can Gio port cluster; continue relocating inland ports to the outskirts, linking the development of the Hiep Phuoc port urban area and ports on the Dong Nai and Saigon river systems.

In addition, to align with the coastal direction, the city will implement inter-port transportation projects including Ring Road 2, Ring Road 3, and connecting expressways; these projects are expected to be completed before 2030.

The city is currently reviewing, supplementing, and upgrading its infrastructure to become a major service center, including a center for logistics and finance, which are important directions for the port economy.

Mr. Le Cong Minh, Chairman of the Vietnam Port Association, speaks at the event. Photo: HOANG HUNG

In its development strategy, Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast region are connecting with the Mekong Delta region to exploit advantages with the spirit of "clinging to the river, facing the sea".

The leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee proposed that the Vietnam Port Association implement a mechanism for dialogue and strategic policy discussions between Ho Chi Minh City and the wider Southeast region with the association and its members, so that development planning is closely linked to the trends and needs of the association.

Comrade Phan Van Mai expressed his desire for input and participation from the association and its members.

For port businesses operating in Ho Chi Minh City, the focus should continue to be on exploiting the potential advantages of Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast region to further develop, in line with regional and global standards; building port businesses with the motto: modern, smart, green, connected, and internationally integrated.

The Vietnam Port Association was established in 1994 with 24 member ports.

To date, the association has gone through 30 years of formation and development, and in 2024, VPA had 82 member ports operating nationwide.

The 30th anniversary celebration is an opportunity for VPA and its members to reflect on the journey so far and to set directions for future development.

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