A seaport in northern Việt Nam. The country's logistics sector has maintained a 14-16 per cent growth annually in recent years. — Photo Ministry of Transport

HÀ NỘI — Logistics, considered a backbone of Việt Nam's economy, is among eight sectors prioritised by the national programme for digital transformation until 2025.

According to the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), the sector has grown 14-16 per cent annually over recent years. It now gathers together some 3,000 domestic firms and 30 others offering transnational services. Of those, 89 per cent are domestic businesses and 10 per cent are joint ventures while the number of foreign-funded companies represents just 1 per cent of the total.

The VLA said the cost of logistics in the country as a proportion of GDP is 18 per cent, compared to 9-14 percent in developed countries. The high cost is attributable to limited seaport infrastructure and weak cost reduction efforts. Together with fierce competition, the digital economic boom, and pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic, these have made digitisation in the sector a must.

Vietnamese logistics companies offer between two and 17 services, mostly in transport, warehousing, and fast delivery. About half apply technology in their operations.

Nguyễn Tường, VLA Deputy General Secretary, said investment shortages from the very beginning, difficulties in choosing suitable technological applications, a sense of distrust in technology, and a fear of change are hindering the sector from pressing ahead with digital transformation.

Trần Thanh Hải, Deputy Director of the Agency of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said transformation in this core sector would trigger a similar process in other parts of the supply chain.

Experts have said that smart logistics involve master plans and strategies with the involvement of cloud computing technology, adding that it will be conducive to improving customer services, information flows, and automation.

To reduce logistics costs, Nguyễn Hoàng Long, Deputy General Director of the Viettel Post Joint Stock Corporation, said the engagement of both the Government and enterprises is needed. While the Government should offer planning and assistance for the building of national logistics centres, as well as preferential land and port taxes, enterprises need to invest in better management and boosting connectivity within the sector, he said.

Administration reform and capital support are also necessary for logistics firms undertaking digital transformation, insiders have said. — VNS