As global supply chains undergo significant restructuring, logistics is no longer merely a supporting service but has become a decisive factor in a country's economic competitiveness.

The Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition 2026, held in Ho Chi Minh City from July 30 to August 1, attracted the participation of 450 enterprises.

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

The “Lifeblood” of the Economy

In practice, countries with more efficient logistics systems tend to have stronger economic competitiveness. Although logistics does not directly create products, it determines the speed of the movement of raw materials, goods, and information throughout the supply chain, earning it the title of the economy's "lifeblood."

In recent years, as investment shifts and increasingly stringent "green standards" reshape global markets, the role of logistics has risen to a new level. Competition is no longer based solely on transporting goods faster or at lower costs, but on the ability to connect supply chains through technology, data, and integrated logistics services.

At the Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition 2026 (VILOG 2026), held in Ho Chi Minh City from July 30 to August 1, Dao Trong Khoa, Chairman of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association, stated that the logistics industry is entering a period of profound transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and digital transformation. These are no longer simply technological trends but essential requirements for logistics enterprises to improve operational efficiency, optimize costs, and meet the increasingly demanding requirements of the global market.

An efficient logistics system enables businesses to shorten delivery times, reduce inventory costs, optimize cash flow, and improve their ability to fulfill orders. Conversely, the disruption of just one link can halt an entire production chain. Investing in logistics is therefore not merely an investment in the service sector but an investment in the overall competitiveness of the economy.

From a regulatory perspective, Nguyen Anh Son, Director General of the Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, emphasized that logistics development in the new era must be closely linked with digital transformation, green logistics, and multimodal connectivity. These are key solutions for reducing logistics costs, enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese products, and enabling businesses to participate more deeply in global value chains.

It is clear that logistics is being repositioned within the country's economic development strategy. Rather than serving solely as a support function for production, logistics has become an economic sector capable of generating added value, attracting investment, and driving growth. This is also why many localities, including Dong Nai, have identified logistics as one of their key growth drivers in the coming years.

From Infrastructure Advantages to Supply Chain Advantages

Dong Nai is well positioned to become a logistics hub for the Southeast region and Vietnam as a whole. In addition to possessing one of the country's largest industrial park networks, the province also benefits from strategic infrastructure, including Long Thanh International Airport, Phuoc An Port, an extensive expressway and national highway network, and inland container depots (ICDs). The key challenge is how to integrate these resources into a modern logistics ecosystem capable of boosting business performance and local economic growth.

Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director General of the Agency of Foreign Trade, noted that alongside infrastructure development, Dong Nai should focus on expanding value-added logistics services and strengthening cooperation between manufacturers and logistics providers to reduce costs and enhance the international competitiveness of Vietnamese products.

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

From the business perspective, Truong Hoang Hai, General Director of Phuoc An Port Investment and Petroleum Joint Stock Company, stated that the value of a modern seaport lies not only in its cargo handling capacity but also in its ability to serve as the core of a logistics ecosystem. When a port is connected to industrial parks, logistics centers, ICDs, road, inland waterway, and air transport, businesses can access integrated services ranging from warehousing and distribution to value-added services, thereby shortening transit times and reducing logistics costs.

As Vietnam strives to reduce logistics costs and strengthen national competitiveness, Dong Nai has the opportunity to take the lead. However, this advantage can only be fully realized when infrastructure is connected through technology, data, and modern logistics services. Successfully addressing these challenges will create sustainable competitive advantages and accelerate local economic growth.

Dong Nai also has the opportunity to develop a multimodal logistics network that effectively connects manufacturing, import-export activities, and international trade. When these "links" operate seamlessly, Dong Nai's logistics sector will become more than just a transit point for goods—it will become a key source of added value throughout the entire supply chain.

Vương Thế

Source: Báo Đồng Nai