Promoting green transformation, enhancing the adaptability of Vietnam's logistics industry

Within the framework of a series of activities and events of the World Congress of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA World Congress 2025) held from October 6 to 10 in Hanoi, with the vision of bringing Vietnam logistics to a new level, turning Vietnam into a destination, a transit point, a developed logistics center, located at the crossroads of regional and global supply chains, many problems are being raised regarding development, infrastructure improvement, connecting existing infrastructure networks with appropriate transportation methods; as well as, connecting supply chains together...

Mr. Dao Trong Khoa, Chairman of the Vietnam Logistics Services Association, spoke at the Congress. Photo: Le Dong/VNA

Vietnam News Agency interviewed Mr. Dao Trong Khoa, Chairman of the Vietnam Logistics Association (VLA), co-organizer of the FIATA World Congress 2025 event, to record the assessments and strategic analyses that policymakers are discussing for the future of this industry, not only in Vietnam in particular but also across the entire FIATA member network in general.

After much anticipation, the FIATA World Congress 2025 officially opened in Hanoi. How do you evaluate the importance and contribution of this event to the Vietnamese logistics industry?

The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) Congress held in Vietnam has a special significance. 2025 is the 99th year of FIATA, marking a century of FIATA connecting the global supply chain. For Vietnam, it is the first time hosting the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations - FIATA World Congress 2025, attracting 1,039 delegates from over 100 countries. The event not only affirms Vietnam's position and the country's strong commitment to sustainable development in both the environment and economy , but also demonstrates the trust and companionship of the world logistics industry with Vietnam.

However, the strong development of technology, artificial intelligence, and green energy is opening up new opportunities to reshape the logistics industry. In that context, the theme of FIATA World Congress 2025 with the theme “Green, Adaptive Logistics” has profound topical significance. The logistics industry needs a green, sustainable, resilient ecosystem to overcome the crisis, contributing to creating a better future for the global logistics industry.

The Congress's agenda discussed many issues, so what was the most prominent highlight, sir?

In Vietnam, we are implementing the National Logistics Strategy; which raises very specific issues about green logistics, energy conversion goals, the number of businesses applying digital technology and green technology... All are stated in the development strategy for Vietnam logistics from now until 2035 and vision to 2045.

Vietnam hosting the world congress of the federation is a great opportunity, not only for the logistics industry but also for the country's economy. When member countries attend, they will not only come to work; they will also become cultural ambassadors, spreading the image and contributing to our common economy. This is also an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to connect with global logistics businesses. Of the 1,000 delegates attending, more than 500 are international delegates and the rest are Vietnamese businesses. This shows the interest and also the opportunity to connect many more that are about to be realized.

Businesses attending this congress will have the opportunity to connect with 500 delegates from more than 100 countries and that is the opportunity for them to promote their business activities. This is also an opportunity for us to learn from foreign partners, about the most advanced business models, the most modern technologies and the most effective and greenest directions for industry development. I think that will be the greatest achievement for Vietnamese businesses.

At the event, many businesses shared that the major barrier preventing the logistics industry from developing more strongly in the short term is the high cost of procedures; in many cases, logistics prices are even double the price of products and goods. Do you have any comments?

However, it is undeniable that the current logistics cost problem has been greatly improved. It is affirmed that Vietnam's logistics costs are lower than the ASEAN average. However, we have many opportunities and room for improvement, specifically promoting digital transformation and green transformation will help improve the operational efficiency of each enterprise. It is important to remember that improving the efficiency of green transformation is not just about costs; it is also about bringing and creating general efficiency for the economy, thereby gradually reducing logistics costs.

As the theme of the congress is "Green Logistics - quick adaptation", how do you view water transport and rail transport?

Water transport as well as rail transport are very environmentally friendly modes of transport. They are capable of transporting goods in very large quantities at very low costs, so they are very effective. I see that Vietnam is in a period, a new opportunity to develop logistics; especially water transport. This is also the initial orientation of the former Ministry of Transport, now the Ministry of Construction. Accordingly, the policy will be to promote water transport to increase its market share to more than 30%, although it is currently only at about 8%. Therefore, logistics enterprises, especially logistics enterprises in Hai Phong, are focusing and placing great emphasis on promoting inland waterway transport services; some places are even pioneers in the field of barge transport and coastal transport..., to bring water transport services closer to the sources of goods in industrial zones. I think that currently, businesses in this industry are going in the right direction and in line with the general trend of the world.

International buyers are paying great attention to using the services of low-emission enterprises; using green transport corridors. Therefore, promoting inland waterway transport as well as rail transport is not only in the right direction, but also helps to create green corridors, not only for Vietnam but also useful for global connectivity.

Thank you very much!

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/thuc-day-chuyen-doi-xanh-nang-cao-kha-nang-thich-ung-cua-nganh-logistics-viet-nam-20251009173242169.htm