Top 5 container ports in Vietnam

Vietnam is home to some of the busiest container ports in Southeast Asia. In 2022, the country’s ports handled approximately 20.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container throughput, reflecting their growing importance in global trade. With increasing investments in port infrastructure, these ports serve as vital hubs, connecting Vietnam’s expanding economy to international markets and facilitating the movement of goods such as textiles, electronics, toys, and furniture.

Whether you’re expanding your supply chain, improving freight efficiency, or looking for cost-effective shipping solutions, understanding Vietnam’s major ports can provide a competitive edge. This guide will cover the country’s top container ports, their key figures, and their role in global trade, helping you evaluate Vietnam as a sourcing destination. We’ll also explore how digital freight forwarders like Ship4wd can simplify your import operations for a more efficient shipping process. Let’s dive in.

Port of Hai Phong

Location: Hai Phong City, Vietnam

The Port of Hai Phong is a crucial international trade gateway in northern Vietnam, situated 150 km east of Hanoi. As the largest port in the region, it plays a key role in facilitating the country’s import and export activities. In 2023, the port handled a total cargo volume of approximately 170.08 million tons, reflecting a 1.19% increase from the previous year.

Key Highlights

• Strategic Location: This port offers direct access to the Gulf of Tonkin and serves as a primary maritime gateway for northern Vietnam, connecting to major international shipping routes.
• Modern Facilities: The port provides state-of-the-art infrastructure, including container terminals capable of handling mother vessels up to 14,000 TEUs. This impressive capacity, along with an annual throughput of up to 1.5 million TEUs (2024), ensures efficient cargo handling and reliable storage.
• Port Authority Management: Managed by the Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company, the port maintains smooth operations and continuous development to meet global trade demands.
• Continued Development: Recent initiatives focus on enhancing port efficiency through digitalization and infrastructure upgrades, aiming to double deep-water port throughput and boost profitability.
• Free Zone: A newly established free zone provides importers and exporters with additional storage space and a broader range of logistics services.

Port of Da Nang

Location: Da Nang City, Vietnam

The Port of Da Nang serves as a key maritime gateway in central Vietnam, connecting international trade routes and regional markets. It provides direct access to major shipping lanes and plays a crucial role in the East–West Economic Corridor, linking Vietnam with Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. 

In 2023, the port handled approximately 12 million tons of cargo, including around 680,000 TEUs, reinforcing its importance in regional trade.

Key Highlights

• Strategic Location: The port provides seamless access to international maritime routes, enhancing trade between Vietnam and global markets. 
• Modern Facilities: Da Nang Port is equipped with advanced infrastructure, including multiple berths capable of accommodating vessels up to 70,000 DWT. The port boasts specialized container terminals, extensive warehousing, and state-of-the-art cargo handling equipment.
• Port Authority Management: The port maintains high standards of service and continuous development. Recent initiatives at Da Nang Port focus on enhancing operational efficiency through digital transformation and infrastructure upgrades.
• Container Yards and Warehouses: Container yard area of 138,251 square meters. Warehouse space totaling 13,665 square meters.
• Port Security: Comprehensive security measures are in place to safeguard cargo and vessels. 

Port of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon Port)

Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The Port of Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known as Saigon Port, is Vietnam’s largest and most significant port, serving as a central hub for the country’s southern region’s import and export activities. 

Strategically located on the Saigon River, the port facilitates seamless connectivity to international maritime routes, bolstering Vietnam’s global trade relations. In 2022, the Port of Ho Chi Minh City handled approximately 7.9 million TEUs, securing its position as the 23rd largest container port globally.

Key Highlights

• Strategic Location: Situated on the west bank of the Saigon River, the port offers direct access to major international shipping lanes, facilitating efficient trade between Vietnam and global markets.
• Extensive Network: Comprising multiple terminals, including Cat Lai Terminal and Hiep Phuoc Terminal, Saigon Port manages a diverse range of cargo types.
• Historical Significance: With over 160 years of operation, Saigon Port has been instrumental in Vietnam’s economic development and continues to evolve to meet modern trade demands.
• Advanced Infrastructure: Equipped with modern cargo handling equipment and information technology systems, the port ensures efficient and reliable operations for various cargo types.
• Container Terminals: The port features specialized container handling facilities, notably the Cat Lai Terminal, which spans 60 hectares and is equipped to manage high-volume container traffic efficiently.

• Warehousing and Storage: Saigon Port offers standardized warehouse facilities with 24/7 security, to ensure cargo safety. 
• Free Trade Zone: The port encompasses a Free Trade Zone, providing favorable conditions for importers and exporters, including tax incentives and streamlined customs procedures.

Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port Complex

Location: Ba Ria – Vung Tau province, Vietnam

Situated in Vietnam’s Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, the Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port Complex is a crucial deep-water port system enhancing the nation’s maritime capabilities. The cluster consists of 35 ports, of which 22 (including 19 official and 3 temporary projects) were operational as of 2024.

This complex includes key terminals such as Tan Cang-Cai Mep International Terminal (TCIT), Tan Cang-Cai Mep Container Terminal (TCCT), and Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT). In 2024, the complex recorded a container throughput of nearly 6.5 million TEUs, reflecting a robust 33% growth rate and underscoring its status as the deep-water gateway for southern Vietnam

Key Highlights

• Strategic Location: Approximately 67 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the complex offers direct access to major international maritime routes, facilitating efficient cargo movement.
• Deep-Water Capabilities: The terminals can accommodate ultra-large vessels, including those up to 214,121 DWT, enhancing the port’s capacity to handle significant cargo volumes.
• Global Recognition: The port complex has been recognized among the top 50 largest container ports globally, underscoring its significant role in international maritime logistics. In addition, according to the CPPI 2023 data, Cai Mep was ranked 7th in terms of container port performance.

• Advanced Infrastructure: The complex features state-of-the-art cargo handling equipment, modern warehousing facilities, and integrated information technology systems.

• Comprehensive Services: Offering a range of services, including container handling, storage solutions, and logistics support, the Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port Complex is designed to meet the diverse needs of international shipping lines and cargo owners.

Quang Ninh Port

Location: Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam

Located in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, Quang Ninh Port is a vital part of the northern maritime network. This deep-water port not only serves as a gateway for the Ha Long Bay but also plays a pivotal role in facilitating international trade. 

With its strategic location in a key economic region, the port is essential for connecting Vietnam’s rapidly growing domestic markets with global trading partners, including Vietnam’s exports into the United States.

Key Highlights

• Strategic Location: Positioned in Ha Long City within Quang Ninh Province, the port is ideally located to serve both the domestic market and international trade routes.
• Deep-Water Capabilities: Features a 36 km long access channel with a maximum draft of 11.7 m, making it suitable for deep-draft vessels.
• Vessel Accommodation: The port can simultaneously receive up to 6 ships, each vessel having a hull length of up to 230 m and a tonnage of up to 85,000 DWT.
• Modern Infrastructure: Equipped with advanced cargo handling equipment and management technology for efficient and secure operations.
• Diverse Cargo Handling: Capable of processing containers, agricultural products, wood chips, construction materials, and metal scraps, ensuring versatile service offerings.
• Regional Economic Hub: Acts as a vital link between Vietnam’s northern economic region and global markets, boosting the nation’s maritime logistics network.

Ship4wd: Your Reliable Partner for Global Shipping from Vietnam

Choosing the right Vietnamese port for your imports and international shipping activities is crucial for the success of your operations. However, the next step is to make sure your shipping process runs efficiently and without interruption.

This is where Ship4vd comes into play. We offer digital freight forwarding solutions tailored for business owners and logistics professionals, easing the complexities of global trade.

With Ship4vd, you can quickly obtain competitive shipping rates and book air and ocean freight, including both Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) options. 

For risk management, we provide advanced tracking and cargo insurance coverage, so you can keep track of your shipments and be confident that your goods are protected against potential risks. Furthermore, we offer pre-shipment inspections to verify the quality of your goods and confirm that their packaging and labeling comply with both your standards and the destination country’s regulations.

In addition, we manage customs clearance and submit the necessary paperwork on your behalf to streamline the processing of your cargo. Once cleared, we coordinate the final delivery to ensure your goods arrive safely and on time.

As part of our commitment to your success, we provide a dedicated 24/7 customer support team ready to answer your questions, assist with tracking your shipments, and help you navigate our platform.

Join Ship4vd today and discover how our expert solutions can transform your shipping logistics from Vietnam.