Logistics — A Lever for Phu Tho’s Export and Trade

The growth figures in industry, export, and investment attraction during the early months of 2026 are unlocking new development spaces for Phu Tho. In this context, logistics is no longer merely a supporting service; it is evolving into the “vital artery” of the economy—reducing costs, boosting competitiveness, expanding trade, and enabling local goods to integrate deeper into global supply chains.

Vietnam SuperPortTM expands its OACT warehouse operations, raising its maximum air cargo handling capacity to 60,000 tons per year.

From Geographical Advantage to Competitive Edge

In an era of deepening international integration, logistics capability serves as a key determinant of competitiveness for both localities and businesses. Alongside transport infrastructure, land funds, and human resources, investors increasingly prioritize connectivity, cargo circulation, and supply chain management.

Following administrative boundary expansions, Phu Tho enjoys contiguous development space spanning midland, lowland, and Northwestern regions. Interconnecting industrial hubs, raw material zones, urban centers, and inter-regional transport networks facilitates the formation of large-scale supply chains. Logistics bridges production with markets, connecting local enterprises with commercial centers and global networks.

During the first six months of 2026, the province’s GRDP grew by approximately 10.18%; industrial production maintained high momentum; export turnover exceeded 22 billion USD; and foreign direct investment attraction reached roughly 1.8 billion USD. This rapid economic expansion has driven massive demand for multimodal transport, warehousing, distribution centers, customs services, and supply chain administration.

The province currently hosts nearly 1,000 import-export enterprises and nearly 900 logistics providers. Provincial planning identifies 57 industrial zones—30 of which are established, 18 operational, and 5 under construction—alongside plans to develop 13 logistics centers. These lay a vital foundation for a robust logistics ecosystem serving industrial manufacturing, trade, and exports.

A primary highlight is the ICD Vinh Phuc Logistics Center — Vietnam SuperPortTM. Representing a total investment of nearly 3,800 billion VND across 83 hectares with a design capacity of 530,000 TEUs per year, the project aims to become a smart logistics hub integrating bonded warehouses, multimodal transport, digital supply chain management, and connections with ASEAN logistics networks. According to Dr. Yap Kwong Weng, CEO of Vietnam SuperPortTM, businesses require an integrated, smart logistics ecosystem to shorten delivery times, slash costs, and boost competitiveness. With strategic location and infrastructure advantages, Phu Tho is well-positioned to become the primary logistics hub for the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region.

During a survey conducted in late June 2026 for the Vietnam Logistics Report, Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director General of the Agency of Foreign Trade (Ministry of Industry and Trade), noted that following the administrative merger, Phu Tho stands as a major contributor to national production and trade. The newly expanded development space offers fresh opportunities to attract investment while demanding a logistics service capacity that matches the scale of local production and commerce.

However, a noticeable gap remains between potential and actual logistics performance. Several local enterprises must still haul cargo down to Hanoi, Bac Ninh, or Hai Phong for container consolidation, customs clearance, and specialized logistics services. Consequently, costs increase and delivery times lengthen, burdening key export sectors like electronics, mechanics, and textiles.

Creating New Advantages for Phu Tho Cargo

In international competition, a business’s edge extends beyond product quality or price. Timely delivery, inventory control, traceability, data transparency, and stable supply chain management are increasingly decisive in retaining orders and expanding market share. This requirement is especially pronounced for Phu Tho as processing, manufacturing, and export industries account for a growing share of its economic structure. Sectors such as electronic components, mechanical engineering, automotive-motorcycle manufacturing, textiles, and agro-forestry processing all demand fast, precise, safe, and continuous transport systems.

Ms. Phan Thi Thuy Loan, Deputy Director of HP Vinh Phuc Freight Forwarding & Trading Co., Ltd., shared that international clients place paramount value on delivery reliability. Efficient logistics operations help businesses minimize inventory costs, accelerate capital turnover, and secure high-value contracts. According to the Vietnam Association of Logistics Services Enterprises, optimizing logistics cuts costs while directly elevating product competitiveness—making logistics capability a key criterion for FDI conglomerates selecting investment destinations.

Currently, Phu Tho’s logistics infrastructure faces synchronicity challenges. Systems for warehousing, distribution, cold-chain logistics, and e-commerce logistics remain lacking, while multimodal transport has yet to reach its full potential. The majority of local logistics firms operate on a small scale with limited financial capacity and technology adoption.

To turn logistics into a high-spillover economic sector, Mr. Tran Thanh Hai suggested that Phu Tho capitalize on the “golden period” as transport infrastructure gradually completes to attract transit cargo and establish a new growth pole. The Agency of Foreign Trade and relevant industry associations will collaborate to support provincial investment promotion, connect with major corporations, and incrementally bring specific logistics projects into operation.

Recognizing this vital role, Phu Tho is implementing the Scheme to Develop the Province into the Logistics Center of the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region for 2025–2030, with a Vision to 2050. Focus areas include building inter-regional logistics systems; investing in modern facilities, cold storage, and bonded warehouses; driving multimodal transport; and deploying digital technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain to optimize costs and administrative efficiency.

With new development horizons, expanding manufacturing capacity, and progressively completed transport infrastructure, modern logistics development serves as a master key for Phu Tho to enhance export capability, broaden trade, and integrate deeper into global value chains.

Ngoc Tuan