Digital and green transformation: driving the modernisation of Vietnam’s logistics industry

To implement Vietnam’s logistics services development strategy, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Science and Technology have agreed on a cooperation roadmap focused on applied research, mastering advanced technologies and building a digital data ecosystem.

On the afternoon of 23 April 2026, at the Ministry of Science and Technology, a delegation from the Import–Export Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, led by Deputy Director General Tran Thanh Hai, met with specialist units of the Ministry of Science and Technology: the National Digital Transformation Agency, the Agency for Startups and Technology Enterprises, the Department of Digital Economy and Digital Society, the Department of Science, Engineering and Technology, the Department of Posts, and the National Commission for Standards, Metrology and Quality.

Tran Thanh Hai said the meeting aimed to discuss implementation of the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 2229/QĐ-TTg on the Strategy for Developing Vietnam’s Logistics Services for 2025–2035, with a vision to 2050, and to consolidate coordination focal points following the transfer and merger of several units from the Ministry of Information and Communications into the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Decision No. 2229/QĐ-TTg requires coordinated implementation of groups of solutions, including stronger research, innovation, digital transformation and green transformation in logistics. Priorities include partnerships with major international logistics companies to master advanced technologies, establish strong research centres, and develop route optimisation and process automation solutions that reduce costs and shorten administrative procedures.

The strategy also calls for development of the technology market, databases and a network of intermediary organisations supporting businesses. Other priorities include digital customs modernisation, green logistics, carbon neutrality standards and emissions reduction. It also emphasises in-house logistics, reverse logistics and changes in international trade practices through closer links between cargo owners and service providers.

Under the Decision, the Ministry of Science and Technology is tasked with leading the review and improvement of national and international standards and technical regulations for logistics; developing the logistics technology market; and establishing a network of science and technology market intermediaries and technology databases to support logistics service providers. It will also work with relevant ministries and agencies to develop digital and green transformation programmes for logistics.

Representatives of the National Digital Transformation Agency confirmed their readiness to provide technical advice to the Ministry of Industry and Trade on ICT architecture and digital services. The Department of Digital Economy and Digital Society said that end-to-end logistics optimisation, supply chain digital transformation and free trade zone models had been incorporated into the draft National Digital Economy Programme for 2026–2030 submitted to the Prime Minister. On implementation, the Agency for Startups and Technology Enterprises proposed leading work on standards and technical regulations through circulars and building a technology supply-and-demand platform for 2026–2030 with an ASEAN regional vision.

From a technical perspective, the National Commission for Standards, Metrology and Quality noted the need to clarify the meaning of “leading” the development of technical regulations, which falls within the responsibility of sector-specific ministries, and proposed focusing on the application of international standards. The Department of Science, Engineering and Technology also stressed the need to define the nature of the action programmes and consider the feasibility of establishing strong research organisations under current conditions. Participants agreed that a logistics technology market can develop only when supply and demand are balanced.

The two sides agreed that the Department of Posts would advise the leadership of the Ministry of Science and Technology on issuing an action plan to implement Vietnam’s logistics services development strategy. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Standards, Metrology and Quality would compile the current status of logistics standards for inclusion in the Vietnam Logistics Report 2026.

The Import–Export Department will provide ministry-level and local implementation plans to ensure coordinated action and invite representatives of the Ministry of Science and Technology to specialist technology forums. Future cooperation will focus on mobilising resources from research institutes, universities and businesses, with state agencies coordinating activities, commissioning work towards defined objectives and incorporating logistics into revisions of relevant legislation, including the Postal Law.