The forum was attended by nearly 600 delegates, including representatives from central ministries and agencies, international organizations, domestic and international logistics associations, research institutes, universities, banks and credit institutions, as well as corporations and businesses operating in seaports, warehousing, transportation, logistics, and import-export.

The event was attended by central-level officials, including Ho Quoc Dung, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam; Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, Deputy Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission; and Ho Sy Hing, Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

Representing Hai Phong were Le Ngoc Chau, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee and Head of the Hai Phong Delegation of National Assembly Deputies; Đỗ Thành Trung, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Hai Phong People's Committee, together with leaders of the city's Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, departments, agencies, and localities.

The Deputy Prime Minister and other delegates also visited exhibition booths at the forum.

Held in person and simultaneously broadcast on the organizer's digital platforms, the Regional Logistics Forum (RLF) is an annual economic event organized by VCCI in cooperation with provinces, cities, and relevant organizations. Since its launch in 2021, six editions have been held in major economic regions, helping connect businesses, promote investment, and develop the logistics sector.

Returning to the Red River Delta for its seventh edition, the forum focused on discussing logistics development orientations and potential, identifying and removing bottlenecks, and mobilizing investment in logistics infrastructure. Key areas include the Lach Huyen international gateway port complex, the Free Trade Zone, the international logistics center, deep-water seaports, and smart warehousing infrastructure.

The forum also discussed green logistics, the application of artificial intelligence in supply chains, and stronger connections between logistics and import-export businesses, with the aim of improving competitiveness and creating new momentum for socio-economic development in the Red River Delta.

Strengthening Regional Connectivity and Promoting Hai Phong's Role as a Logistics Hub

In his opening remarks, Hồ Sỹ Hùng, Chairman of VCCI, emphasized that Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW dated August 28, 2026, of the Politburo identifies the Red River Delta as a unified development space, with stronger connectivity among localities and greater use of each locality's respective advantages, particularly in logistics.

According to the VCCI Chairman, Vietnam's logistics sector has been growing at an average rate of 14–16% per year, with an estimated market size of approximately US$45–50 billion. Against this backdrop, the Red River Delta, as a gateway connecting northern Vietnam with the rest of the country and international markets, is continuing to establish itself as an important national logistics growth pole.

Within this development space, Hai Phong plays a particularly important role thanks to its advantages in seaports, logistics, and international connectivity. The VCCI Chairman noted that Hai Phong is not only a locality with strong industrial development but also serves as the region's seaport and logistics hub, connecting the Red River Delta's production areas with domestic and international markets.

Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW also calls for Hai Phong to continue leveraging its strengths in seaports and logistics. This provides an important foundation for the city to unlock its potential and gradually develop a modern logistics ecosystem that meets international standards and improves connectivity throughout the region.

The VCCI Chairman proposed that the forum focus on four areas:

1. Improving the business environment and reducing logistics costs.
2. Promoting green logistics and sustainable development.
3. Strengthening connections between logistics and commodity sectors and developing an integrated business ecosystem.
4. Leveraging logistics to take advantage of free trade agreements and help Vietnamese businesses integrate more deeply into the global economy.

He also expressed the expectation that Hai Phong would continue to improve governance, complete its planning and logistics development orientations, effectively utilize its seaport advantages and international gateway position, and strengthen connections with other localities in the region, ASEAN, and the world.

VCCI reaffirmed its commitment to continuing to support Hai Phong, the business community, and localities in implementing recommendations and proposals emerging from the forum and translating logistics development solutions into practice.

Hai Phong Identifies Logistics as a Key Growth Driver for the New Development Period

Speaking at the forum, Lê Ngọc Châu, Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee and Head of the city's National Assembly Delegation, emphasized that Hai Phong is an industrial center, seaport hub, transportation gateway, and growth pole of the region.

The city has a diversified transportation network comprising roads, seaports, aviation, railways, and inland waterways. Logistics is therefore playing an increasingly important role in the development space of both Hai Phong and the wider region.

In recent years, logistics services in the city have developed strongly. Average growth during 2021–2025 exceeded 10% per year, contributing approximately 11.5% of Hai Phong's GRDP. The volume of cargo passing through Hai Phong's seaports has also continued to increase, contributing to the city's sustained high economic growth.

Against the backdrop of global supply-chain restructuring, Hai Phong has identified logistics and port services as key growth drivers for the new development period. The city is focusing on integrating seaports, airports, railways, roads, and logistics centers while accelerating digital transformation, automation, and the transition toward greener operations.

Secretary Lê Ngọc Châu said Hai Phong would focus on five groups of tasks:

1. Building an enabling government and improving the investment and business environment.
2. Improving planning quality, strengthening regional connectivity, and expanding international cooperation.
3. Completing strategic infrastructure and expanding development space.
4. Developing logistics centers, the Free Trade Zone, economic zones, industrial parks, and deep-water ports while attracting strategic investors.
5. Developing a high-quality workforce capable of meeting the requirements of digital transformation and international integration.

The city will continue to promote its role as an important growth pole in the Hanoi–Hai Phong–Quang Ninh triangle, while strengthening connections with localities across the region and with the Vietnam–China economic corridors, ASEAN, and international markets.

Secretary Lê Ngọc Châu affirmed that Hai Phong would continue to support businesses, resolve difficulties, and create a stable and transparent investment environment for businesses and investors. The city would also strengthen cooperation, benefit-sharing, and collaboration with localities, the business community, and international partners to improve competitiveness and promote sustainable development throughout the region.

Developing Logistics Around Economic Regions, Economic Corridors, and Supply Chains

Delivering guidance at the forum, Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Quốc Dũng emphasized that logistics is no longer merely a supporting service sector. It has become an important component of economic infrastructure and plays a direct role in improving the competitiveness of goods, businesses, and the economy.

For the Red River Delta, the Deputy Prime Minister said the region has significant advantages for becoming an important logistics gateway for northern Vietnam. However, it needs to address fragmented investment and inadequate connectivity, and shift from a mindset of “management and support” toward “enabling, serving, and developing.”

The objective is to turn logistics into an important service industry that optimizes supply chains and connects production, supply, and consumption.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Vietnam's logistics sector has maintained annual growth of 14–16%, contributing approximately 4.5–5% of GDP, while logistics costs have fallen to around 16% of GDP. Seaports, airports, expressways, warehouses, and logistics centers have gradually been developed, and the logistics business community has continued to expand.

In implementing the Strategy for Development of Vietnam's Logistics Services for 2025–2035, with a Vision to 2050, the Deputy Prime Minister called for five key priorities:

1. Implementing the national logistics strategy in a substantive manner, with clear priorities and a focus on reducing logistics costs and improving the competitiveness of goods.
2. Developing logistics infrastructure in an integrated manner with the transportation system.
3. Continuing to improve institutions and legislation while strengthening connectivity and data sharing.
4. Developing modern, green, and smart seaports.
5. Shifting from developing logistics according to administrative boundaries to organizing logistics around economic regions, economic corridors, and supply chains.

For the Red River Delta, the Deputy Prime Minister called for the completion of regional planning and the rational distribution of production, together with highly connected transportation, urban, and logistics infrastructure.

Under this approach:

• Hanoi should strengthen its role as a center for services, consumption, finance, innovation, human-resource training, and aviation.
• Bac Ninh and Hung Yen should connect industrial production areas with import-export gateways.
• Ninh Binh should leverage its strengths in tourism and the marine economy.
• Quang Ninh should leverage its advantages in border trade, the marine economy, and international connectivity.
• Hai Phong should play the role of a maritime gateway and international logistics center for northern Vietnam.

The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that the Government would continue improving institutions, developing infrastructure, improving the investment and business environment, and facilitating serious, long-term, and sustainable investment in Vietnam.

Discussion Sessions

As part of the forum, thematic presentations and discussion sessions were held with the participation of representatives from regulatory agencies, local authorities, associations, experts, and domestic and international businesses.

Discussions focused on improving institutions and policies for maritime transport, inland waterways, and logistics; connecting seaports with inland waterways; developing multimodal transportation; green logistics; and digital transformation.

Delegates also discussed orientations and mechanisms for attracting investment in the Lach Huyen International Gateway Port area, completing infrastructure, establishing green transportation corridors, developing logistics centers and a modern logistics ecosystem, and strengthening Hai Phong's connections with the Red River Delta, ASEAN, and international markets.

At the event, the Organizing Committee also presented certificates to businesses supporting the forum, recognizing the contributions and cooperation of the business community in organizing the event and promoting connectivity and logistics development in the Red River Delta.