High expectations for seaport development in Mekong Delta

By Thien Ky, Minh Hue
Sat, December 23, 2023 | 9:44 am GMT+7

The Mekong Delta boasts huge potential to develop logistics services thanks to strong economic development in recent years, with large volumes of seafood, rice, fruits, textiles and garments shipped to regions across the country and foreign markets.

However, despite a long coastline as well as two main branches of the Mekong River - the Tien and the Hau - flowing through, the region still does not have a large port to serve domestic and international trade, said Tran Thanh Hai, deputy head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's (MoIT) import-export department.

Hai pointed out that although it is a hub of agricultural and aquatic products, especially shrimp, fish, rice, and fruits, regional goods must transit at ports in Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, increasing time and costs as well as putting pressure on the road network.

Each year the Mekong Delta handles about 20 million tons of goods, with 70% being transported by road to HCMC and southeastern provinces for export at very high costs, he added.

Boats dock at Tran De port, Soc Trang province, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Soc Trang newspaper.

Boats dock at Tran De port, Soc Trang province, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Soc Trang newspaper.

Bottlenecks in logistics development

According to the MoIT official, the Mekong Delta boasts many rivers and canals, making it convenient for waterways but hindering road and rail transport.

"On roads, many large bridges have been built such as My Thuan, Can Tho, Rach Mieu, Vam Cong, Ham Luong and Co Chien, contributing to shortening the distances between localities in the region, but railways are still not available in the region," Hai noted.

Notably, waterways have many advantages. The Hau River is deep enough to accommodate large ships, but estuaries such as Dinh An in Tra Vinh province and Tran De in Soc Trang province have become sandbanks due to alluvial deposits. Therefore, ships cannot pass through the river mouth and upstream.

High hopes for large-scale seaports

Recently, many researches have been made on seaport development in the Mekong Delta. They have proposed building a floating port outside the Dinh An estuary in Tra Vinh province, a port off the coast of Dai Ngai, Soc Trang province, and Hon Khoai port in Ca Mau province, Nam Du port in Kien Giang province, and a coal transshipment port in Tra Vinh province.

However, according to Hai, they have not selected suitable locations or proposed solutions to meet the region's long-term development requirements.

Taking into account the criteria of transportation distance, site clearance, transportation costs, maintenance and transportation connections, Tran De of Soc Trang province is the most advantageous location, with the highest score of 62 points in terms of comparative advantages, he said.

Tran De holds the most favorable conditions as it boasts inland waterway and road connections to Can Tho city, the heart of the region, as well as to other provinces in the region to serve container ships of up to 100,000 tons and bulk carriers of up to 160,000 tons, he explained.

"If the Prime Minister agrees to add Tran De port to the national seaport development plan in the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050, and the province successfully calls for investment, Tran De port will accommodate large ships of over 100,000 tons to form long-distance shipping routes, serving the Mekong Delta region’s import and export of goods," Hai said.

In addition, Hon Khoai port in Ca Mau province could become the focus of logistics development in the region. With an area of 460 hectares, 15km from the mainland to the southern coast, and a water depth of 16-20 meters, Hon Khoai has favorable conditions to become an international transshipment port and a goods gathering point for not only the Mekong Delta but also neighboring countries for shipping to other parts of the world. Especially, if Thailand's Kra canal project is implemented, Hon Khoai will have more advantages for development.

Currently, Cho Gao canal in Tien Giang province is also an important waterway for transporting goods from the Mekong Delta to HCMC, according to Hai.

On the other hand, the Mekong Delta shares a border with Cambodia, so waterway transportation via the Tien and Hau rivers to the northern and northeastern provinces of Cambodia will be closer and cheaper than shipping from Sihanoukville port, he added.

Hai noted that when Cai Cui port in Can Tho is put into operation, it can connect directly with Singapore ports and Port Klang of Malaysia to become a goods transshipment and distribution point for maritime routes in the Indochinese region.

Located near the sea gate, Long An port will be capable of receiving large ships bringing goods in and out of the Mekong Delta and the south of Can Tho city, Hai added.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Central Vietnam province reviews investment proposal for thermal power project after Thai EGATi pullout

Central Vietnam province reviews investment proposal for thermal power project after Thai EGATi pullout

Authorities in the central province of Quang Tri are evaluating a proposal from Power Generation JSC 1 (EVNGENCO 1), a subsidiary of state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN), to take over the Quang Tri thermal power plant project, following the withdrawal of Thai investor EGATi.

Energy - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 1:44 pm GMT+7

Amata to sell stakes worth $46 mln in Vietnam units to Novaland-tied buyers

Amata to sell stakes worth $46 mln in Vietnam units to Novaland-tied buyers

Amata VN, the Vietnam arm of Thailand’s leading industrial park developer Amata, has approved a plan for its subsidiary Amata City Long Thanh Urban JSC (ACLT) to sell its remaining 51% stakes in two entities to local developer Novaland-linked buyers.

Real Estate - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 12:19 pm GMT+7

Vietnam already meets FTSE's criteria for stock market status upgrade: Finance Minister

Vietnam already meets FTSE's criteria for stock market status upgrade: Finance Minister

Vietnam has fulfilled the criteria for a stock market status upgrade by FTSE Russell through reforms aimed at facilitating foreign investment inflows into its market, said Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang.

Economy - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 9:36 am GMT+7

Banks should be allowed to distribute, invest in mutual fund certificates: Vietnam's finance ministry

Banks should be allowed to distribute, invest in mutual fund certificates: Vietnam's finance ministry

The Ministry of Finance is proposing a key reform that would allow commercial banks to invest in and distribute mutual fund certificates, as part of a broader plan to restructure the investor base and foster the development of Vietnam’s fund management industry.

Finance - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

E-commerce boom a major driver of Vietnam's packaging paper industry growth

E-commerce boom a major driver of Vietnam's packaging paper industry growth

Vietnam's paper packaging industry is entering a period of strong growth, with an average annual growth rate forecasted at 10% until 2030.

Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:20 pm GMT+7

Vietnam needs support from UK in developing international financial center: Deputy PM

Vietnam needs support from UK in developing international financial center: Deputy PM

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh has called on the UK and the City of London to continue supporting and accompanying Vietnam in promoting and introducing its international financial center (IFC).

Finance - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:12 pm GMT+7

Vietnam enforces 8% capital adequacy ratio for banks from Sept 15

Vietnam enforces 8% capital adequacy ratio for banks from Sept 15

Commercial banks and foreign bank branches in Vietnam must maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 8%, including at least 4.5% in Tier 1 core capital and 6% in Tier 1 capital, starting from September 15.

Banking - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:04 pm GMT+7

Tool for wood traceability management debuts in Vietnam

Tool for wood traceability management debuts in Vietnam

The Vn-WoodID application has been officially launched in Vietnam, becoming a key tool contributing to wood traceability.

Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:00 pm GMT+7

Sun Group, US Embassy foster aviation-hospitality cooperation

Sun Group, US Embassy foster aviation-hospitality cooperation

Sun Group, in collaboration with the US Embassy in Vietnam, hosted the US – Vietnam Aviation Partnership Roundtable on September 12, bringing together 15 leading American corporations in aviation, technology, and financial services, opening up opportunities to position Phu Quoc as a new aviation and tourism hub in the region.

Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 9:54 pm GMT+7

Vietnam tops Thai giant SCG’s overseas markets with 9% revenue contribution in H1

Vietnam tops Thai giant SCG’s overseas markets with 9% revenue contribution in H1

Vietnam remained the largest overseas market for Thailand’s Siam Cement Group (SCG) in the first half of 2025, contributing 9% of consolidated sales.

Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 8:10 pm GMT+7

Central Vietnam to have new airport Mang Den

Central Vietnam to have new airport Mang Den

Procedures to adjust Vietnam's airport system planning, including the addition of Mang Den Airport in central Vietnam, are being proceeded, according to the Ministry of Construction.

Infrastructure - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 5:16 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's government seeks to position country as 'regulated hub for digital assets in Asia': Dragon Capital

Vietnam's government seeks to position country as 'regulated hub for digital assets in Asia': Dragon Capital

The Vietnamese Government has advanced the regulation of digital assets, with a resolution launching a five-year pilot framework for issuance and trading. This framework signals the Government’s intent to position the country as a regulated hub for digital assets in Asia, which could attract new capital inflows, write Dragon Capital analysts.

Economy - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 2:20 pm GMT+7

Agribank introduces sizable $4.17 bln preferential credit package

Agribank introduces sizable $4.17 bln preferential credit package

Right from the beginning of 2025, Agribank launched a substantial preferential credit package worth VND110 trillion ($4.17 billion) to support individual customers.

Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 1:32 pm GMT+7

'Precious space' in Vietnam's monetary policy

'Precious space' in Vietnam's monetary policy

The Federal Reserve's continued cuts in 2025, with the most recent in September, are considered a valuable policy "space" for the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to maintain low interest rates to support growth without having to worry too much about exchange rates.

Economy - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:15 am GMT+7

Vietnam’s central bank sells $1.5 bln to stabilize currency: broker MBS

Vietnam’s central bank sells $1.5 bln to stabilize currency: broker MBS

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) intervened in the foreign exchange market by selling approximately $1.5 billion via 180-day cancelable forward contracts from August 25-26, in an effort to ease pressure on the Vietnamese dong, according to a recent report by MB Securities (MBS).

Banking - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 8:04 am GMT+7

Hanoi aims to break ground on $11.4 bln Red River Boulevard & Landscape project by Jan 2026

Hanoi aims to break ground on $11.4 bln Red River Boulevard & Landscape project by Jan 2026

A consortium of “tunnel king” Deo Ca Group and real estate developer Van Phu Invest has been assigned by the Hanoi People’s Committe to prepare an investment proposal for the VND300 trillion ($11.37 billion) Red River Boulevard & Landscape project.

Real Estate - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 7:55 am GMT+7