Optimizing freight transport and customs clearance modes

Dong Nai City is making significant efforts to upgrade freight transportation methods and intensify customs reforms for import-export activities, aiming to shorten clearance times, improve convenience, and enhance its attractiveness to import-export enterprises, especially businesses conducting customs procedures within Dong Nai.

One of the transportation modes currently being prioritized for upgrading, completion, and further development isinland waterway transport and seaport system. With approximately 200 kilometers of inland waterways, together with an increasingly developed network of inland ports and seaports, Dong Nai possesses favorable conditions to expand its logistics sector and move toward becoming both a national and international logistics hub.

Developing inland waterway infrastructure

Alongside long-term development orientations, inland ports, seaports, and customs authorities operating throughout the city are actively upgrading and streamlining customs procedures to facilitate cargo movement, reduce customs clearance times for import-export goods, and gradually strengthen the locality’s competitiveness.

Nguyen Van Ban, Deputy General Director of Dong Nai Port Joint Stock Company (Dong Nai Port, Long Hung ward), shared that as one of the enterprises with extensive experience in port operations and warehousing services, the company currently operates Long Binh Tan Port and Go Dau Port. “Given the advantages of the new Dong Nai City, Dong Nai Port continues to affirm its role as a critical link in the Southeast region’s logistics chain. Located near industrial zones and connected through barge transportation systems linking Dong Nai Port with the Cai Mep–Thi Vai port cluster, the port serves as an “extended arm” connecting inland waterways and road transport from factories and firms in industrial parks to major ports, helping enterprises reduce transportation time and logistics costs,” Ban said.

In recent years, Dong Nai Port has continuously invested in infrastructure upgrades, expanded container yards, and introduced electronic port systems that allow customers to complete procedures online around the clock, helping enterprises and authorities save time and costs.

A strategic link in the seaport network

According to Dong Nai City’s master plan for the 2021–2030 period with a vision toward 2050, approved under Decision No. 779/QD-UBND dated February 27, 2026, the city plans to develop 14 major logistics centers and 12 inland container depots (ICDs).Among themare four logistics centers surrounding Long Thanh International Airport. One of these 4 planned logistics centers is the Phuoc An Port Logistics Services Center. These projects are currently being introduced to domestic and international investors. If rapidly developed and put into operation early, these logistics centers and inland ports are expected to contribute trillions of VND annually to State budget.

Truong Hoang Hai, General Director of Petro Vietnam Phuoc An Port Investment & Operation Joint Stock Company, stated that amid ongoing restructuring and volatility in global supply chains, developing new, modern, flexible, and efficient connectivity hubs has become increasingly necessary. With its strategic location in Dong Nai and synchronized planning for transport and logistics infrastructure, Phuoc An Port is positioned as an important link within the southern region’s seaport network and supply chain,” Hai said.

Beyond infrastructure and modern equipment investments, Phuoc An Port is focusing on optimizing operational processes, applying advanced technologies, and improving service quality to deliver maximum efficiencyfor customers. “Phuoc An Port will gradually establish itself as a reliable destination, helping reduce pressure on existing ports, optimize logistics costs, and improve business competitiveness,” Hai emphasized.

Dong Nai is focusing on infrastructure investment and administrative reforms to create a more favorable business environment across all sectors in order to attract new investors while encouraging existing enterprises to remain committed to the city. Particularly in import-export activities, city leaders are not only prioritizing enterprise attraction and business growth but are also encouraging them to conduct customs procedures within Dong Nai to contribute to local budget revenues generated from import-export activities.

To achieve this, Ho Van Ha, member of the City Party Committee, Vice Chairman of Dong Nai People’s Committee, has directed departments and agencies to further strengthen accountability and avoid prolonged administrative obstacles that could negatively affect production, business activities, and import-export operations. Specifically, tax authorities and relevant agencies have been instructed to establish coordinated mechanisms with customs agencies to rapidly resolve issues related to tax refunds and tax obligation offsets. Authorities are also expected to proactively support enterprises conducting procedures in Dong Nai through trade promotion programs and decisive measures to remove obstacles facing investors.

According to the detailed master plan for the development of land and water areas of Dong Nai’s seaport for the 2021–2030 period with a vision to 2050, issued by the Ministry of Construction in 2025, cargo throughput at Dong Nai’s ports is projected to reach between 39.5 million and 52 million tons annually by 2030. Regarding infrastructure development, Dong Nai is planned to have between 27 and 29 port terminals to meet growing demand for cargo clearance.

By Ngoc Lien - Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha