A workshop on green logistics-a sustainable development trend for Vietnamese exporters was held on September 5, within the framework of Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 and the Export Forum 2025 themed Connecting International Supply Chains.

The event was jointly organized by the Department of Foreign Market Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Investment and Trade Promotion Center of Ho Chi Minh City (ITPC).

Green logistics-a key to competitiveness

In his opening remarks, ITPC Director Tran Phu Lu said developing green logistics is an inevitable trend and an important measure for sustainable growth across the sector. For businesses, integrating green logistics into strategy will, over time, expand customer bases, boost revenue, reduce operating costs and strengthen competitiveness.

Recent investments by government and industry reflect this shift: synchronized infrastructure projects, notably major expressways, are helping transport firms save time and costs, while seaport systems are being modernized to offer more environmentally friendly services.

Concurrently, domestic logistics companies are overhauling operations, expanding international cooperation and adopting technologies to raise competitiveness and meet stricter export-market requirements.

For companies already pursuing green logistics, Lu urged regular strategy updates and practical adjustments: replace old vehicles with eco-friendly fleets; apply GPS-based management and tracking; and expand cold-chain solutions in warehouses to save energy and improve preservation. He also recommended that the government adopt targeted local policies to help small and medium enterprises access finance, training and market information, and allocate budget for research, technology transfer and green infrastructure planning.

Truong Tan Loc, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics Association (HLA), noted that although Vietnam ranks 43rd out of 139 in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI), gaps in infrastructure and services still cause inefficiencies and unnecessary emissions.

He highlighted mounting international pressures, particularly the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will be fully enforced in 2026 and effectively functions as a carbon tax on imports to the EU. Exporters will need to acquire CBAM certificates corresponding to embedded emissions. At the same time, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) requires companies to account for environmental impacts across supply chains and adhere strictly to (Environmental – Social – Governance (ESG) standards.

Loc argued that green logistics has moved beyond corporate social responsibility to become a “trade passport.” Compliance is essential to avoid penalties or export bans, while transparent, low-emission supply chains increase the chances of being selected by international buyers. Green logistics data will turn into a performance metric that enhances brand value and negotiating leverage.

He cited practical examples: Tan Cang Cat Lai Port reduced cargo handling times from several hours to 15-20 minutes by shifting 100% of transactions to the ePort platform, saving US$1.5-2 million annually in fuel costs and significantly cutting CO₂ emissions via electric cranes. AI-driven route optimization can reduce fuel use by about 15% and cut delivery times by 25%. Still, heavy reliance on road transport and weak multimodal connectivity remain major challenges; HLA has proposed strategic recommendations to deal with these bottlenecks.

Digital customs streamlining clearance

Deputy Head of Customs Sub-department II Bui Tuan Hai said the Customs sector has undergone a comprehensive digital transformation to cope with rising trade volumes.

The Vietnam Automated Cargo Clearance System (VNACCS) and the Vietnam Customs Intelligence Information System (VCIS), the backbone since 2014, has automated clearance processes and cut green-channel cargo clearance time to just 1-3 seconds. The National Single Window and ASEAN Single Window let businesses submit a single electronic dossier and exchange e-C/O Form D certificates, removing hard-copy paperwork. Other components, such as a 24/7 e-payment system and the automated customs monitoring system (VASSCM), improve transparency and reduce port waiting times.

With a vision of “Digital Customs, Smart Customs” by 2030, the sector will scale up AI, Big Data and blockchain applications.

Hai cited Bahamas Customs, where AI analytics helped recover more than US$115 million in tax evasion since 2020. Studies show AI in supply-chain management can cut logistics costs by 15%, improve inventory by 35% and raise service levels by 65%.

He urged enterprises to be proactive by keeping abreast of changing regulations, preparing accurate electronic documentation from the start, training staff to operate digital systems, and closely coordinating with Customs to resolve issues quickly.

He urged enterprises to be proactive: keep abreast of changing regulations, prepare accurate electronic documentation from the start, train staff to operate digital systems, and closely coordinate with Customs to resolve issues quickly.

In recent years, Vietnam’s logistics industry has grown at an average annual rate of 14–16%. The number of enterprises and the quality of services have steadily improved.

The country currently ranks 43rd out of 139 globally and 5th within ASEAN in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI), and the market is estimated at US$45-50 billion. At the same time, the expansion of logistics centers, inland ports, bonded warehouses and multimodal transport increasingly supports key export sectors such as electronics, textiles and agro-fisheries.”

The country currently ranks 43rd out of 139 globally and 5th within ASEAN in the LPI, and the market is estimated at US$45-50 billion. At the same time, the expansion of logistics centers, inland ports, bonded warehouses and multimodal transport increasingly supports key export sectors such as electronics, textiles and agro-fisheries.

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