Logistics – “lifeblood” of economy in new supply chains

As global supply chains undergo profound restructuring, logistics is no longer merely a support service but has become a decisive factor in strengthening economic competitiveness.

A view of Phuoc An Port

The development of a modern, green and well-connected logistics ecosystem is creating new growth opportunities for Vietnam as well as industrial centres with strong infrastructure advantages, such as Dong Nai.

The economy's lifeblood

Experience worldwide shows that countries with more efficient logistics systems tend to enjoy stronger competitiveness. Although logistics does not directly create products, it determines the speed at which raw materials, goods and information move throughout the supply chain, earning it the reputation as the "lifeblood" of the economy.

In recent years, shifting investment flows and increasingly stringent green standards have further elevated the role of logistics. Competition is no longer defined by faster or cheaper transportation, but by the ability to integrate supply chains through technology, digital data and integrated logistics services.

Speaking at the VILOG 2026, Dao Trong Khoa, Chairman of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association, said the logistics sector is entering a period of rapid transformation driven by artificial intelligence, automation and digital transformation. He noted that these are not simply technological trends but essential requirements for logistics enterprises to improve operational efficiency, optimise costs and meet the increasingly demanding requirements of the global market.

An efficient logistics system enables businesses to shorten delivery times, reduce warehousing costs, optimize cash flow and improve order fulfilment. Conversely, the disruption of a single link can bring an entire production chain to a halt. Investing in logistics, therefore, is not merely an investment in the service sector but an investment in the competitiveness of the economy itself.

From a management perspective, Nguyen Anh Son, Director of the Agency for Foreign Trade (AFT) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said logistics development in the new era must go hand in hand with digital transformation, green logistics and multimodal connectivity. This is essential to reducing logistics costs, enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese products and enabling businesses to participate more deeply in global value chains.

These developments reflect a fundamental shift in how logistics is viewed within Vietnam's economic development strategy. Rather than serving solely as a support function for manufacturing, logistics has become an industry capable of generating added value, attracting investment and driving economic growth. This is also why many localities, including Dong Nai, have identified logistics as one of their key growth drivers for the coming years.

From infrastructure advantages to supply chain strength

Dong Nai is well positioned to become a major logistics hub for the Southeast region and Vietnam as a whole. In addition to hosting one of the country's largest concentrations of industrial parks, the locality boasts a comprehensive network of strategic infrastructure, including Long Thanh International Airport, Phuoc An Port, an extensive expressway and national highway network, and inland container depots (ICDs). The challenge now is to integrate these assets into a modern logistics ecosystem that serves as a catalyst for both business growth and local economic development.

The Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition 2026 (VILOG 2026), held in Ho Chi Minh City from July 30 to August 1, attracted 450 participating enterprises.

According to Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of the AFT, alongside infrastructure development, Dong Nai should focus on expanding value-added logistics services and strengthening links between manufacturers and logistics providers. Such efforts would help lower logistics costs while improving the international competitiveness of Vietnamese goods.

Vu Ngoc Long, Director of the Dong Nai Department of Industry and Trade, said logistics is expected to become one of the service sectors driving new momentum for industrial and commercial growth. The sector will play a vital role in transforming Dong Nai from a manufacturing centre into a regional hub for cargo distribution, transshipment and trade connectivity.

From the business perspective, Truong Hoang Hai, General Director of Petro Vietnam Phuoc An Port Investment & Operation Joint Stock Company, said the value of a modern seaport lies not only in its cargo-handling capacity but also in its ability to serve as the nucleus of a logistics ecosystem. When ports are connected with industrial parks, logistics centres, inland container depots, road, inland waterway and air transport networks, businesses can access integrated logistics services ranging from warehousing and distribution to value-added services, thereby shortening delivery times and reducing logistics costs.

As Vietnam strives to reduce logistics costs and strengthen national competitiveness, Dong Nai is well placed to take the lead if its infrastructure is seamlessly connected through digital technologies, data platforms and modern logistics services. Successfully addressing these challenges will create sustainable competitive advantages and support the locality's economic growth.

Dong Nai also has the opportunity to develop a multimodal logistics network that efficiently connects manufacturing, import-export activities and international trade. Once these links are fully integrated, Dong Nai will evolve from a transit gateway into a logistics hub that generates value across the entire supply chain.

By V.The – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha