Vietnam speeds up port upgrades to sharpen its trade edge
Cai Mep and Hai Phong rank among the world's most efficient box ports as investment climbs
Vietnam is stepping up investment in its seaports as it works to strengthen its position in global trade, building on a national strategy for the marine economy that runs to 2030 with a vision to 2045.
Two of the country's container gateways feature in the latest global container port performance index compiled by the World Bank and S&P Global, with Cai Mep placed 11th and Hai Phong 13th among the world's 20 most efficient container ports for a second year running. Hai Phong now handles vessels of more than 200,000 dwt and saw the launch last year of the privately funded Hateco Hai Phong International Container Terminal, along with two new berths at Lach Huyen that add 1.5m teu of annual capacity.
Momentum has continued into 2026. Cargo moving through the country's seaports and inland waterways reached about 687.5m tonnes in the first half, up 18% year on year, while container throughput rose 12% to roughly 18m teu. Under a master plan stretching to 2030, Vietnam envisages more than 359 trillion dong, around 13.7bn dollars, of investment across a network of 34 seaports and 320 berths that handled over 960m tonnes in 2025.
Officials have pointed to the involvement of international operators including APM Terminals, PSA International and SSA Marine as the country courts further private capital.
