FIATA World Congress 2025: An Opportunity for Vietnam's Logistics to Accelerate Global Integration

For the first time hosting the FIATA World Congress in 2025, Vietnam affirms its role as a regional logistics hub. The event presents an opportunity to promote digitalization, develop green logistics, and fulfill the commitment to achieve net-zero emissions, in line with the Government's strategic objectives.

Leading global shipping companies, such as Maersk, are making strong investments in sustainability initiatives to achieve the net-zero target. They are at the forefront of the "greening" trend in the maritime industry, aiming to reduce environmental impact. - Photo: VGP/HT

Global Logistics: Digitalization and Greening Have Become Inevitable Trends
The FIATA World Congress 2025, the largest annual event in the global logistics industry, will be held in Hanoi for the first time this October. This is a significant milestone, as Vietnam has been chosen as the host country, demonstrating the international community's trust in Vietnam's logistics capabilities and its increasingly prominent position on the global stage.
 
With the theme "Green Logistics, Rapid Adaptation", the congress is expected to bring together over 1,000 delegates from 150 countries, including leading global transport and logistics corporations. The agenda will focus on discussions about digital transformation, green logistics, sustainable supply chain management, and new international standards in the context of globalization.

In recent years, the international supply chain has faced significant disruptions from geopolitical conflicts, energy crises, and climate change. This highlights that logistics is no longer just about cost optimization but has become the "lifeblood" of global trade, requiring transparent standards, high adaptability, and a commitment to green development.

International experts affirm that technology is reshaping global logistics. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and smart management platforms not only helps optimize operations but also opens up possibilities for demand forecasting, real-time analytics, and faster decision-making. These are the core trends driving the sustainable development of logistics.

Vietnamese port enterprises are also taking the lead in digital transformation and green transition in line with the country’s Net Zero target.

Challenges and determination from the Government
For Vietnam, hosting the FIATA World Congress 2025 opens up a major opportunity to demonstrate its logistics capabilities within the global supply chain. At present, logistics costs in Vietnam are estimated to account for around 16–20% of GDP, higher than the global average. Meanwhile, infrastructure still relies heavily on road transport, with rail and waterways yet to be fully utilized.

According to Mr. Takashi Kagamoto, General Director of Mitsubishi Estate Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City and other major import-export hubs have a strong foundation to develop logistics. At the same time, however, risks from trade policy shifts, climate change, or disruptions in international transportation could pose significant shocks if the logistics system lacks flexibility. This highlights the need for Vietnam to make comprehensive investments in connectivity infrastructure, workforce quality, and the development of a holistic digital ecosystem in order to catch up with the global supply chain relocation trend.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Truong Tan Loc, Marketing Director of Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP), emphasized that green logistics is no longer just about social responsibility—it has become a “trade passport.” Building transparent, sustainable supply chains with low emissions is now a prerequisite for international buyers to choose Vietnamese enterprises.

The biggest challenge remains the heavy reliance on road transport and persistent gaps in logistics infrastructure connectivity. To address this, SNP representatives suggest the establishment of a unified set of criteria to measure green logistics nationwide, along with breakthrough green finance policies. At the same time, finalizing a legal framework for the carbon credit market would create new revenue streams to reinvest in clean technology. Particularly, the Government of Vietnam needs to accelerate key logistics infrastructure projects, prioritizing locations with strong potential for multimodal transport connections.

From a regulatory perspective, Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director General of the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, acknowledged these challenges. He noted that many important policies have already been enacted. Decision No. 876/QD-TTg approved the Action Program on green energy transition, carbon and methane emission reduction in transport, aiming toward net-zero emissions by 2050. In parallel, the Strategy for the Development of Vietnam’s Logistics Services for 2025–2035, with a vision to 2050, sets the goal of enhancing competitiveness and developing logistics that is sustainable, high-quality, efficient, and value-added.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade representative also highlighted priority directions: encouraging the use of renewable energy, hydrogen, and LNG-powered transport; promoting a shift toward waterways and rail; developing smart warehousing; and advancing the carbon credit market. These measures will help reduce emissions, optimize costs, and generate resources for reinvestment in clean technologies.

Furthermore, new-generation free trade agreements such as CPTPP, EVFTA, and UKVFTA have imposed increasingly stringent environmental standards. Therefore, green logistics is not only a requirement for integration but also an opportunity for Vietnam to strengthen its position and reputation within the global supply chain.

Digital transformation and green development are becoming two inseparable pillars—prerequisites for logistics to maintain its role as the lifeline of international trade and to contribute to sustainable economic growth..

FIATA World Congress 2025: A Golden Opportunity for Vietnam’s Logistics to Break Through
FIATA World Congress 2025 will feature a series of specialized workshops, including a key session on “Digital Transformation and Innovation – Driving Breakthroughs in Green and Sustainable Logistics.” The event will bring together leaders of the world’s top shipping corporations, international experts, and policymakers to share strategic visions and propose solutions for the future of global supply chains.

By hosting FIATA World Congress 2025, Vietnam not only reaffirms its international credibility but also gains direct access to knowledge, technology, and advanced management models. This is also a pivotal moment for the Government, businesses, and international organizations to cooperate in shaping new standards for modern logistics aligned with sustainable development goals.

Digital transformation and green growth are therefore not just parallel trends, but strategic pillars enabling Vietnam’s logistics industry to maintain its role as the lifeline of international trade while making tangible contributions to sustainable socio-economic growth.
FIATA World Congress 2025 in Hanoi will not only be a global gathering but also a golden opportunity for Vietnam’s logistics sector to accelerate integration, realize the Net Zero 2050 vision, and affirm its position in the region and worldwide.

Anh Minh
https://baomoi.com