Seaports drive expansion of import-export activities

With ambitions to become a modern industrial and logistics hub of the Southeast region and southern Vietnam, Dong Nai City is accelerating the development of its seaport ecosystem as a key driver of cargo import-export activities, while laying the groundwork for one of the region’s most advanced logistics chains.

According to customs authorities, Dong Nai City’s commodity structure has remained largely stable in recent years, dominated by key categories including raw materials, machinery and equipment, and goods for processing and export-oriented manufacturing. During the first four months of 2026, state budget revenue from import-export activities exceeded VND8 trillion, fulfilling around 34% of the assigned target.

Facilitating import-export activities

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, Dong Nai City enjoys advantages stemming from its extensive transport network, seaport system, and industrial parks and clusters that host thousands of enterprises. Under Dong Nai’s seaport development plan through 2030, the city’s port system is expected to handle between 39.5 million and 52 million tons of cargo annually.

Phuoc An Port — one of Dong Nai City’s potential growth poles.

Dong Nai City is prioritizing the completion of strategic infrastructure, particularly projects linked to Long Thanh Airport, expressways, ring roads, interregional transport corridors, and key urban areas. These projects are expected to create the robust infrastructure base needed to unlock new development space and strengthen business competitiveness.

Speaking at the recent forum “Forward Together - Embracing a New Era” held at Phuoc An Port, Nguyen Duy Hung, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Logistics Association, said Dong Nai is moving toward building an integrated logistics ecosystem to optimize supply chains. Logistics is often compared to the bloodstream of the economy. For that bloodstream to flow efficiently, infrastructure development must come first. Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City need to remove bottlenecks and accelerate administrative reforms.

Regarding customs operations, Hung noted that Dong Nai’s customs authorities have consistently remained at the forefront of administrative reform and technological innovation, meeting businesses’ needs for customs clearance. According to him, these efforts have laid an important foundation for facilitating import-export procedures and creating a more efficient business environment.

Standing by businesses

Addressing customs clearance issues, Le Van Thung, Director of the Region XVIII Customs Sub-Department (RCB XVIII), said that alongside government efforts, residents and the business community have become important contributors to Dong Nai City’s development process.

RCB XVIII currently oversees customs activities across the city through 10 customs units operating both inside and outside border-gate areas.

Among them are three border customs checkpoints, including Hoang Dieu Border Gate Customs, Hoa Lu International Border Gate Customs, and Loc Thinh Border Gate Customs, which are responsible for supervising trade flows between Vietnam, in general, and Dong Nai in particular, and neighboring Cambodia.

As businesses continue to expand while customs staffing levels remain unchanged, the customs sector has had to streamline administrative procedures, modernize management practices, and automate cargo processing systems to meet evolving demands.

In the future, the customs sector will continue developing software systems to improve management and create favorable conditions for businesses engaged in import-export activities nationwide, especially in Dong Nai City. RCB XVIII will be a leading unit in administrative procedure reform, the application of digital technology, and the creation of the most favorable conditions for businesses.

The Head of the RCB XVIII affirmed that the customs sector always stands alongside businesses, listens to them, and shares in their difficulties. Based on feedback on bottlenecks, difficulties, and issues related to the sector’s internal operations, RCB XVIII will handle matters directly. For issues related to ministries, sectors, or the city, the customs sector will compile the recommendations and send them to competent authorities for resolution.

Dong Nai’s customs sector is currently overseeing more than 6,000 foreign-invested enterprises and other import-export businesses. Each year, RCB XVIII records enterprise growth rates of around 10-15%, reflecting strong demand for customs clearance.

RCB XVIII also hopes to expand engagement with enterprises and encourage companies operating in Dong Nai’s industrial parks to register customs procedures locally, given the city’s substantial development potential.

Le Van Thung pledged that customs authorities remain committed to standing alongside businesses, listening to their concerns, and helping resolve difficulties. Issues falling within the sector’s authority will be handled directly, while matters involving ministries, sectors, or local administrations will be compiled and forwarded to competent agencies for settlement. Looking ahead, once Long Thanh Airport becomes operational, Dong Nai’s transport infrastructure ecosystem will encompass all five transport modes, creating a comprehensive service network for businesses. In that context, RCB XVIII pledges to continue working alongside enterprises to maximize competitive advantages and contribute to Dong Nai City’s future development.

By N.Lien – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho