Vietnam's logistics costs surge to record levels, prompting infrastructure push

Logistics expenses in Vietnam have risen to unprecedented levels, now exceeding 20% of gross domestic product, up from the 17‑18% reported in the 2025 Ministry of Industry and Trade analysis. Business leaders say the surge surpasses even the COVID‑19 pandemic period.

Companies such as MP Logistics and Phúc Sinh report monthly logistics bills jumping from about 7‑8 billion VND to 17 billion VND, with total costs reaching roughly 22 billion VND—more than half of monthly operating profit. Container freight rates for fresh fruit have climbed from around $2,800 to $7,800 per container, a rise of over 200%, forcing exporters to invest in their own refrigerated containers amid widespread vessel and container shortages.

In response, Ho Chi Minh City officials are accelerating multi‑modal transport projects, including new beltways, highways, and the Ba Bàng‑Cái Mép railway linking industrial zones to the Cái Mép–Thị Vải port complex. The city aims to cut the logistics cost share to 11‑14% of GRDP by 2030, hoping to restore competitiveness for Vietnamese exporters.