LOGISTICS MARKET SEES WAVE OF INVESTMENT FROM JAPAN, ROK

The logistics market has become more vibrant in recent times with large merger and acquisition (M&A) deals between Vietnamese businesses and foreign investors who have strong financial and technological potential, especially those from Japan and the Republic of Korea.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in early last month, the Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC) signed a joint venture contract with Japanese partner Suzue in the field of transportation and logistics.

Sumitomo Group has cooperated with Suzuyo Company and a Japanese public-private investment fund, spending nearly 40 million USD to buy 10 percent of stocks at the Gemadept Joint Stock Company of Vietnam.

In addition, Sumitomo will develop a mobile application that allows container drivers to pre-register loading and unloading time at ports and handle other paperwork.

Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL) Group, another giant from Japan, also aims to join the logistics market in Vietnam. In early July, the MOL went to survey the Vinh Tan International Port to consider bringing its ships to transport coal imported from Indonesia to the Vietnamese port. It also studied making woodchips in the port area.

Earlier in June, the MOL along with the Vietnam Investment and Seaport Services Joint Stock Company (VISECO), Construction and Mechanics Joint Stock Company (HTM), and Golden Link established the MVG joint venture to implement the MVG Dinh Vu warehouse project.

Investment from the Republic of Korea in logistics also offers many opportunities. The most notable deal in recent times was reached between Samsung SDS – a subsidiary of the RoK’s Samsung Group and Vietnam’s Aviation Logistics Corporation (ALS) to set up the ALSDS joint venture and join logistics business at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.

Samsung SDS signed a cooperation deal with Minh Phuong Logistics to tap the potential of the domestic goods transportation by roads.

Vietnam is now home to more than 1,300 logistics firms. Foreign businesses make up a mere 2-3 percent of total logistics enterprises, but hold 70-80 percent of the market share.

The latest report of the World Bank showed Vietnam’s national logistics capacity index has improved, ranking 39th out of the 160 countries in the world, and third in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), after Singapore and Thailand in 2018.

The logistics sector is forecast to account for 8-10 percent of the country’s total gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025.

Source: VIR

Related News

INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT

VIETNAM EXPANDS INLAND CONTAINER DEPOT NETWORK TO 19

The two newly added ICDs are Cai Mep in HCMC and Tan Cang-Moc Bai (phase one) in Tay Ninh Province. Cai Mep ICD, located in Cai Mep Industrial Park in Tan Phuoc Ward, HCMC and developed by Cai Mep International Logistics JSC, covers 9.15 hectares and has an annual handling capacity of about 133,000 TEUs, according to the Government news site (baochinhphu.vn).

Apr 09, 2026

BANKING / FINANCE / INSURANCE / TAX

HCMC CREDIT UP 1.5% IN Q1

Outstanding loans in the city reached an estimated VND5.28 quadrillion, up 0.77% from the previous month and 16.25% year-on-year, data from the State Bank of Vietnam’s Regional Branch 2 showed. Vietnam dong loans accounted for 96.1% of total credit and rose 1.46% from the end of 2025. Medium- and long-term lending made up 55% of total outstanding loans and increased 3.22%.

Apr 09, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

HCMC TO ESTABLISH CULTURAL INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND

The HCMC People’s Committee has tasked relevant departments with establishing a cultural industry development fund and developing a 150-hectare film studio complex. The move follows an instruction by HCMC Party Committee Secretary Tran Luu Quang. The city’s cultural industry development fund will be structured under a venture capital model.

Apr 09, 2026

HR / LABOUR/ EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYEES’ AVERAGE INCOME INCREASES

Average monthly income of workers in the first quarter reached VND9 million, up 3.8% from the previous quarter and 8.5% from a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Office. Male workers earned an average of VND10.1 million per month, compared with VND7.7 million for female workers. In urban areas, average income reached VND10.7 million per month, while in rural areas it was VND7.9 million.

Apr 09, 2026

INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT

HCMC KICKS OFF OVER 10 PROJECTS DURING APRIL

Work will start on major projects in transportation, urban development and logistics sectors in HCMC this month, coinciding with Vietnam’s Reunification Day, April 30. They include the N3 ramp at the An Phu interchange with an investment of VND3.4 trillion and the 1.69-hectare Tan Chanh Hiep Park. In addition to these, seven other projects are slated to break ground within the month, including the Ho Tram – Long Thanh airport urban expressway, the Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi port area and the Ho Chi Minh Museum expansion.

Apr 09, 2026

HOSPITALITY / TOURISM / ENTERTAINMENT

VIETNAM’S Q1 FOREIGN TOURIST ARRIVALS HIT RECORD HIGH

Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.1 million international visitors in March, bringing first quarter foreign tourist arrivals to 6.76 million, up 12.4% year-on-year and marking a record high for the period, the national authority for tourism said. Air travel accounted for 82.3% of international arrivals, followed by land at 15.5% and sea at 2.2%, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Apr 09, 2026