With a special geographical position located in a dynamic development area of the world, where the flow of goods is very concentrated and exchanges are very strong, Vietnam is considered to have advantages in geo-economics that are very favorable to promote the development of goods and services. Strong production, export and logistics services.

In particular, the Vietnamese Government has identified logistics as an important service industry in the overall structure of the national economy, playing a supporting role. , connecting and promoting socio-economic development of the whole country as well as each locality, contributing to improving the competitiveness of the economy.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan emphasized that at the seminar “Enhancing competitiveness of logistics service providers” organized by the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) in collaboration with Industry and Trade Newspaper. April 28 in Hanoi.

Important service industry

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, Vietnam has signed many free trade agreements (FTAs); in which, there are new generation FTAs such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EVFTA), the Economic Partnership Agreement and the European Union (EVFTA). Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with a very high level of commitment of the parties in all fields, including traditional and non-traditional, the scope is not limited to commitments to open markets. market of goods but also in the field of services, investment, intellectual property.

Statistics show that Vietnam’s international trade activities have grown strongly, helping to increase import and export turnover, expand markets, and diversify types of goods involved in import and export. Total import-export turnover from 2010 to now has increased 4.25 times, from 157.1 billion USD in 2010 to 668.5 billion USD in 2021.

Notably, despite many difficulties due to the 4th outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, the country’s import and export in 2021 still reached a record number with a total turnover of 668.55 billion USD.

Among them, exports reached more than 336.3 billion USD, up 19% compared to 2020; imports reached 332.2 billion USD, up 26.5%; trade surplus of more than 4 billion USD. With this result, Vietnam has entered the top 20 economies in terms of international trade.

To get this positive result, it is impossible not to mention the contribution of the logistics service industry, despite many difficulties, Vietnamese logistics enterprises have adapted and basically maintained the supply chain…

However, Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan also pointed out the limitations that the logistics industry needs to overcome, such as the fact that logistics businesses have not yet developed commensurate with the potential of the industry.

According to data from the Vietnam Association of Logistics Enterprises, currently 90% of active logistics enterprises are Vietnamese enterprises, but only account for about 30% of the market share, the rest belongs to foreign enterprises.

Despite the large number, they are mainly small businesses, with limited scale in terms of both capital and human resources as well as international operation experience, there is no link between stages in the logistics supply chain and between service businesses. logistics with import and export enterprises. Therefore, in both buying and selling dimensions, domestic logistics enterprises are limited in terms of playing field.

“Therefore, although the topic of the conference is not new, it is a key factor and a prerequisite problem to be solved if the logistics industry is to develop breakthroughs and achieve a position worthy of the development potential of Vietnam. industry, especially in the context that the economy is adapting, overcoming difficulties and recovering strongly after COVID-19″, the Deputy Minister affirmed.

Sharing the difficulties and problems of logistics enterprises, Mr. Truong Tan Loc – Marketing Director, Saigon Newport Corporation said that fuel prices spiked sharply in 2022 with an increase of about 33% compared to the price. average 2021 affects the cost of the business.

In addition, relevant agencies have not created favorable conditions such as controlling goods in transit through border gates, causing difficulties for shipping lines and customers.

The COVID-19 epidemic is still complicated, causing logistics activities to have preparation and backup plans in terms of means and human resources; It is difficult for small and medium enterprises to bear the additional costs incurred.

According to Ms. Pham Thi Lan Huong – General Director, Vinafco Joint Stock Company, Vietnam’s logistics market has a lot of potential but is very fragmented. For example, the number of small and medium enterprises accounts for the majority and up to 90% of registered enterprises have capital of less than 10 billion VND; In terms of service types, logistics enterprises operate in many different service areas.

Currently, the number of enterprises providing integrated logistics services (3PL, 4PL) in Vietnam is still limited. Along with that, the proportion of 3PL and 4PL enterprises only accounts for 16% of the total number of enterprises in the logistics industry. However, this piece of cake is mainly in the hands of foreign businesses.

With the goal of pioneering the application of technology and digital platforms in e-commerce logistics to optimize benefits for consumers and sellers, Ms. Ngo Thi Truc Anh – Director of Lazada Logist Shipping Department