Hai Phong, the gateway of the northern region’s seaway, handles the largest volume of cargo in the region.
Over the years, it has invested a lot in infrastructure, especially logistics infrastructure, to become Vietnam’s modern logistics center.
Because of its potential and advantages in port and logistics services, many projects have been funded, put into operation, and then expanded, notably the Lach Huyen International Gateway Port, which can accommodate large-tonnage ships plying international maritime routes.
Bui Van Quy, Deputy Director of Sai Gon Newport Corporation, one of Hai Phong’s major logistics centers, said, “The development of seaports has greatly boosted the development of the logistics industry.”
Quy recalled, “2018, when Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Hai Phong Newport Corporation’s Lach Huyen deep-water port were put into operation, was a milestone in receiving large-tonnage ships. We now can accommodate ships of up to 133,000 DTW transporting goods directly to Europe and the Americas, instead of transiting via foreign ports as was necessary before.”
There are more than 500 logistics enterprises operating in Hai Phong. Greater investment in transportation infrastructure in recent years as Vietnam pursued international integration and signed free trade agreements has given Hai Phong new opportunities to develop logistics services.
According to Tran Tien Dung, President and CEO of the Sao A Investment Company, “In the coming time, Hai Phong plans to build hundreds of bridges to connect rural and urban areas, and Hai Phong’s inner city and districts with neighboring provinces and western China.”
“This will help Hai Phong expand its logistics output and become an international logistics center,” said Dung.
Under its development plan to 2025, with a vision to 2030, Hai Phong will diversify its logistics services to increase the value of each ton of goods going through its ports.
By 2030, Hai Phong intends to develop 17 specific services in the logistic services chain, including warehousing, loading and unloading, forwarding, transportation agents, customs clearance agents, and inland waterway services.
In addition to comprehensive investment in logistics infrastructure, the city has promoted administrative reform, improved the quality of human resources, and continued to develop specific mechanisms and policies for logistics centers, such as site clearance incentives and land rent exemptions or reductions for infrastructure construction projects.
Studies have been conducted to build logistics centers coordinated with nearby industrial parks and economic zones and linked to other regional logistics centers to boost the local economic growth.
Nguyen Duc Tho, Deputy Chairman of Hai Phong’s People’s Committee, said, “Pursuant to Resolution 45, Hai Phong has outlined a logistics development plan with a growth rate target of 30-35% per year by 2025. The logistics industry will contribute 20-25% of the city’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP). By 2030, the industry will be growing 30-35% per year and contributing more than 30% of the city’s GRDP.”
Hai Phong is determined to develop a network of logistics centers to meet the domestic production and circulation needs of goods and the import and exports with regional and international countries.