Deputy PM: Turn Vietnam into regional, global logistics center

The forum under the theme "Connecting Highland Logistics, Reaching the Global Supply Chain, was held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in coordination with the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee.

Politburo member and Deputy PM Pham Gia Tuc delivered keynote address at the event which featured the participation of  leaders of central ministries, departments, sectors, localities, and the business community.

The forum took place as Vietnam's import-export activity grew strongly. Over the ten-month period of 2026, total import-export turnover reached over US$1,010 billion. However, logistics costs still account for about 16 to 17% of GDP, significantly higher than the global average. This makes it urgent to develop infrastructure, improve connectivity, and reduce logistics costs to boost the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods.

For the Central Highlands, Gia Lai is expected to become a hub connecting goods from the highlands to the sea and international markets. The province benefits from its existing transport corridor, namely Le Thanh International Border Gate-Pleiku- Quy Nhon Port.

Member of the Party Central Committee and Party Secretary of Gia Lai Province Thai Dai Ngoc said the province is set to become a connecting point in the regional supply chain and pledges to offer favorable conditions to attract logistics investment projects.

"Gia Lai wants to bring its goods to more markets while aiming to become a connection point for goods, services, and supply chains between the Central Highlands, the Central Coast, and the region and the world. The province commits to continuing to improve the investment environment, stepping up administrative reform, coordinating to resolve difficulties, and creating favorable conditions for businesses to research and invest in logistics projects in line with planning and legal regulations," Thai Dai Ngoc said.

Logistics must be defined as strategic soft infrastructure

Speaking at the forum,  Deputy PM Pham Gia Tuc emphasized that logistics must be defined as strategic soft infrastructure and an important component of economic infrastructure, serving as one of the key drivers for double-digit growth. The target by 2030 is to reduce logistics costs to 12 to 15% of GDP, while pushing digital transformation, developing green logistics, and strengthening supply chain connectivity.

Quoting General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam at a working session with the Government's Party Committee and relevant agencies on November 2, 2026 on national logistics development orientations and infrastructure,  Deputy PM Pham Gia Tuc stressed:

"Logistics development must be placed within overall national planning, regional planning, and infrastructure sector planning, taking the flow of goods, socio-economic efficiency, and overall national benefits as the basis, without being restricted by administrative boundaries. In particular, the Party General Secretary and President required the ambition and determination to turn Vietnam into an important logistics, transshipment, and distribution hub of the region and the world."

Measures sought to remove bottlenecks to reduce logistics costs

Amid the restructuring of global trade, shifting supply chains and intensifying competition, logistics has become a decisive factor in national economic competitiveness rather than merely a support service for production and business.

Top leader To Lam stresses logistics as new growth driver

VOV.VN - General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam has requested the development of national logistics into a key driver for economic growth, productivity, and reduced costs during a working session with the Government Party Committee and relevant agencies in Hanoi on November 2.