On the afternoon of 21 September, the 7th Regional Logistics Forum 2026 convened at the Haiphong Convention and Performing Arts Centre under the theme: "Creating new growth space for logistics in the Red River Delta Region." Directed by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) alongside the Haiphong Municipal People’s Committee, the event was co-hosted by Business Forum Magazine, the Haiphong Department of Industry and Trade, the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), and the Haiphong Logistics Association.

Delivering the opening address, VCCI President Hồ Sỹ Hùng noted that on 28 August 2026, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW regarding regional development and national spatial planning for the new era. The resolution outlines a clear trajectory: transforming the Red River Delta into a fast-growing, sustainable, and inclusive region across six key provinces and municipalities -Hanoi, Haiphong, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, and Ninh Binh - by maximizing the unique strengths, cultural heritage, and competitive edges of each locality.

"Resolution 27-NQ/TW targets an average annual GRDP growth of approximately 10% for the Red River Delta by 2030, with a sharp focus on culture, electronics, digital transformation, aerospace, artificial intelligence, automotive manufacturing, and consumer appliances. Logistics plays a central role in this strategy. The nation's highest leadership has firmly established the region's development roadmap, placing inter-provincial integration, and logistics in particular, at the heart of it," stated Mr Hùng.

He added that the impetus to overhaul regional logistics stems not only from local conditions within the Red River Delta, but also from broader international market dynamics and the practical demands of Vietnam's evolving logistics sector.

Vietnam’s logistics industry has expanded rapidly, growing at an average rate of 14–16% per year, more than double the national GDP growth rate. The market is currently valued at roughly $45–50 billion, contributing around 10% to national GDP and 5% to the services sector. In 2023, international benchmarks ranked Vietnam among the Top 10 Emerging Logistics Markets, 4th within ASEAN, and 40th globally on the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI).

These metrics demonstrate that Vietnam offers a highly conducive environment for logistics providers to deepen their reach and scale up international services across infrastructure, investment trends, and workforce standards aligned with global criteria.

Reiterating the region’s strategic value, Mr Hùng stressed that as the Northern gateway, the Red River Delta remains a key driver of national logistics performance.

"The global supply chain landscape is undergoing a massive structural shift. Today's investors look beyond mere land and labour costs; they increasingly weigh infrastructure quality, connectivity, supply reliability, digital capabilities, environmental standards, and institutional quality. Logistics is no longer just about operational or transit costs, it has become a core component of national competitiveness," he emphasized.

To address these shifts, Mr Hùng outlined four priority areas for forum discussions, aimed at offering actionable recommendations for government authorities and industry bodies:

First, aggressively improving the business environment for logistics: While robust physical infrastructure is vital, businesses equally require streamlined administrative procedures, stable policy frameworks, transparent enforcement, operational efficiency, and regulatory predictability. Delays, bureaucratic overlap, and structural bottlenecks between road, rail, inland waterways, and maritime transport ultimately inflate costs for the entire economy. A holistic reform is needed across the value chain, spanning planning, investment, port operations, freight transport, customs, specialized inspection, warehousing, e-commerce, and digital payments.

Second, pioneering green transformation and sustainable development: Green logistics is no longer optional; for exporters, it is rapidly becoming a mandatory prerequisite to access major global markets. Stricter demands regarding carbon footprints, energy efficiency, resource optimization, ESG compliance, and supply chain transparency mean Vietnamese logistics must green its transport fleets, warehouses, and port infrastructure while embedding precise carbon measurement systems.

Third, integrating logistics into sector-specific ecosystems: Logistics cannot thrive in isolation from manufacturing and trade. Tailored, specialized logistics models must be designed around the precise requirements of individual commodity supply chains.

Fourth, leveraging logistics to maximize Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): While Vietnam boasts an extensive network of FTAs, signing agreements merely opens the door. Whether domestic firms can step through depends on manufacturing capacity, standards compliance, market entry skills, and above all, a high-performing logistics backbone.

Turning to regional governance, Mr Hùng noted that Resolution 27-NQ/TW marks a fundamental shift away from localized, fragmented economic planning toward a unified regional economic space. Under this framework, each province is assigned a distinct function within the broader value chain based on its competitive advantages.

Within this blueprint, Haiphong is tasked with capitalizing on its decade-long industrial momentum while maximizing its strengths as a maritime hub and logistics gateway. The Red River Delta accounts for 33.3% of national GDP, with Haiphong alone contributing 5.3%, underscoring the city's critical role in the regional value chain.

Expressing confidence in the local leadership, Mr Hùng highlighted that Haiphong’s administrative reforms, modern governance, and strategic team selection position the city to build a clear, international-grade logistics roadmap.

"Hai Phong City leaders have committed to creating optimal conditions for logistics development. Hai Phong possesses the headroom and potential to build a logistics sector that aligns with international standards and global integration," he noted.

He concluded by reaffirming VCCI’s 63-year history of supporting the business community: "Through our dedicated Logistics Working Group and ongoing partnerships with the VLA and local authorities, VCCI has spearheaded regional logistics strategies across Haiphong, Quang Ninh, and neighbouring hubs for over a decade. We will continue to advocate alongside Haiphong’s business community, working with government agencies to translate these recommendations into tangible economic results."