By late 2025, the Vietnam’s Southern Key Economic Region is witnessing accelerated transformation in its logistics sector, driven primarily by Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), and Dong Nai as core growth engines. Through coordinated infrastructure upgrades, regularly reforms and workforce development, the region is positioning itself to enhance competitiveness, reduce logistics costs and strengthen integration into global supply chains.
At the August 2025 workshop on “Enhancing Logistics Connectivity for Socio-economic Development in the Southeast Region”, jointly organized by the HCMC branch of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Australian Embassy, participants highlighted the region’s economic role, contributing nearly 32% of national GDP and 44.7% of total state budget revenues. Despite these contributions, rapid urbanization, fragmented transport networks, and overlapping administrative procedures continue to inflate logistics costs and constrain firm-level competitiveness.
The workshop identified three priority areas for reform: (1) strengthening multimodal transport connectivity; (2) harmonizing regulations through a unified electronic customs system; and (3) standardizing workforce training through aligned curricula and closer collaboration between enterprises and educational institutions. These areas are increasingly shaping policy discussions at both central and local levels.
Following recent administrative restructuring, HCMC has consolidated its role as a “mega hub” for finance, industry, and seaport functions. This enhanced scale and functional integration provide a strong foundation for the city’s ambition to become a regional logistics hub by 2030 and a global logistics centre by 2045.
City authorities are prioritizing the development of smart warehousing, interprovincial logistics networks, high-quality human resources, alongside the application of advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), warehouse management systems, robotics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). These measures aim to reduce operational costs, improve efficiency and support the growing demands of manufacturing, trade and e-commerce. HCMC’s logistics strategy also emphasises improved connectivity between ports, inland depots and industrial zones, reinforcing its central role in linking production centres across the Southern Key Economic Region with international markets.
Dong Nai Province is emerging as a complementary logistics pillar, leveraging the future Long Thanh International Airport, extensive industrial parks, and a growing network of logistics centers. With the establishment of the Dong Nai Logistics Association on 1 December 2025 and plans to develop four modern logistics centers, the province aims to enhance interregional connectivity, streamline customs and transport procedures, reduce storage and transportation costs for exporters, and expand export capacity. With improved links between ports, warehouses and distribution centres, Dong Nai province is positioning itself as a critical node connecting air cargo, industrial production and seaborne trade within the regional logistics ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Tay Ninh Province is leveraging its strategic border-gateway position with Cambodia, with four international and four national border gates, to emerge as a key linkage point between Southeast Asia and the Mekong Delta. Ongoing expressway and ring-road projects, namely the HCMC-Moc Bai Expressway and Ring Roads 3 and 4, are being fast-tracked, while the initiative of “Port-Industry-Logistics-Urban” model at Long An International Port continues to expand, further integrating the region into global supply chains through international cooperation and maritime connectivity. Supported by abundant industrial land and labour force, and the participation of major investors such as Becamex, Vingroup, and Sun Group, Tay Ninh is gradually taking shape as a new industrial-logistics hub in the region.
As 2025 draws to a close, the Southern Key Economic Region is experiencing a logistics-driven rebalancing. With sustained coordination between central authorities, local governments and the private sector, logistics is increasingly viewed as a strategic backbone of regional competitiveness, supporting export growth, supply chain resilience and long-term sustainable development.
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Reference: Vietnam News, 16 December 2025
