Page 364 - ISC PROCEEDINGS 21.4

The expansion of major free trade agreements such as CPTPP, EVFTA, and RCEP has
further stimulated demand for advanced logistics services, particularly in areas such as
international transportation, cross-border warehousing, and global supply chain
management.
However, logistics costs in Vietnam remain relatively high, accounting for
approximately 16–20 percent of GDP, while in developed economies such as the United
States and European countries this figure typically ranges between 8–12 percent. This
indicates that Vietnam still has significant potential to improve logistics efficiency through
the adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics,
and the Internet of Things.
3.2. Logistics infrastructure supporting import–export activities
Logistics infrastructure plays a fundamental role in supporting import–export
activities. Vietnam currently possesses a relatively diverse transportation system
consisting of seaports, airports, road networks, and railways that facilitate international
trade.
3.2.1. Seaport system
According to statistics from the Ministry of Transport, Vietnam currently has more
than 290 port terminals belonging to 34 seaports, with a total cargo handling capacity
exceeding 750 million tons per year [2]. Major seaports such as Hai Phong, Cai Mep – Thi
Vai, and Ho Chi Minh City ports play a critical role in connecting Vietnam with global
maritime shipping routes.
In particular, the Cai Mep – Thị Vai port complex is one of the largest deep-water
ports in Southeast Asia. It is capable of accommodating large container vessels and
establishing direct connections with major shipping routes across the Pacific Ocean and
Europe. As a result, the transportation time for Vietnamese exports has been significantly
reduced, while transshipment costs through intermediate ports have also decreased.
Table 2. Container throughput and global ranking of major Vietnamese seaports
Seaport Container Throughput Global Ranking
Approximately 9.1 million
Ho Chi Minh City Port Ranked 22nd worldwide
TEUs
Approximately 7.1 million Ranked 29th–30th
Hai Phong Port
TEUs worldwide
Among the Top 50 largest
Cai Mep – Thi Vai Port Nearly 7 million TEUs
container ports worldwide
Source: Vietnam Logistics Report 2024; Ministry of Transport statistics.
As illustrated in Table 2, several major Vietnamese seaports have achieved notable
positions in global container throughput rankings, reflecting the rapid development of the
country’s maritime logistics infrastructure. Ho Chi Minh City Port handles approximately
9.1 million TEUs annually and ranks 22nd worldwide, making it the largest container
gateway in Vietnam. Hai Phong Port, with an annual throughput of around 7.1 million
TEUs, serves as the primary maritime hub in northern Vietnam and is ranked between
29th and 30th globally. Meanwhile, the Cai Mep – Thi Vai Port complex has emerged as a
strategic deep-water port capable of accommodating large container vessels and directly
connecting Vietnam to major intercontinental shipping routes. These developments
highlight the growing importance of Vietnam’s seaport system in facilitating international
trade and strengthening the country’s position within global logistics networks.

363