According to the Government's planning orientation, Vietnam plans to develop hundreds of dry ports across the three regions. However, the actual number of ICDs in operation is only counted on the fingers, concentrated in some areas but has not spread synchronously.
Notably, in localities with high business density and large demand for import and export like Hanoi, there are almost no large-scale dry ports to serve the whole market.
The lack of ICD infrastructure increases logistics costs and prolongs delivery time, directly affecting the competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises in the international market.
The dry port was built with the goal of becoming a cargo transit unit, connecting by road, rail, sea and even air.
A true ICD must integrate functions such as an external warehouse, customs inspection area, goods unloading, packaging, quality control... on the spot. From there, businesses can shorten the delivery process and save on transportation and human resources costs.
When ICD is located at a strategic intersection, the cargo can be quickly distributed to industrial parks, neighboring provinces or conveniently connected to international seaports.
In reality, the biggest difficulty in the ICD story is not necessarily in macro-planning, but in local implementation.
Complex site clearance procedures, legal problems... have caused ICD projects to not be able to start construction despite their names.
To overcome this situation, the State needs to improve the effectiveness of supervision, tie the implementation deadline and apply preferential mechanisms for investors in dry ports, especially strategic projects.
Synchronizing transport infrastructure, both on roads, railways, and sea routes, is also very necessary, because a modern ICD will not be able to promote efficiency if the surrounding connection system is still in a state of disrepair and disruption.
For the Vietnamese logistics industry to break through, dry ports are an indispensable boost. The key issue is to soon clear bottlenecks and create a comprehensive logistics ecosystem, in which each ICD becomes a strong link with other transport methods.
To achieve this, the key is not only in long-term planning from the Central Government, but requires determination, multilateral connectivity, and synchronization of local governments, businesses, and the social community.
When ICDs are built in the right strategic location, operated effectively and connected multilaterally, Vietnam will move closer to the goal of becoming a leading logistics center in the region.
