Saigon Newport at Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue 2026: Mobilizing International Resources for Port and Logistics Development
English - Ngày đăng : 09:46, 14/09/2026
At this year’s event, Saigon Newport continued to demonstrate its proactive role as a leading port and logistics enterprise. Entrusted by Ho Chi Minh City to participate in networking efforts and coordinate activities at the Cai Mep port cluster, Saigon Newport helped strengthen engagement among international delegates while showcasing the port and logistics capabilities and development potential of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam.
FD 2026: From Building Relationships to Mobilizing Resources
A centerpiece of the Friendship Dialogue was the Mayors’ Conference, where leaders of Vietnamese and international localities discussed the proactive role of local governments within the broader framework of national foreign policy, while sharing experiences in participating in and effectively leveraging international city networks.
A key feature of FD 2026 was its direct alignment of city diplomacy with development objectives, shifting the focus from building relationships to mobilizing resources. In addition to the Mayors’ Conference, two thematic sessions on innovation and on ports and logistics provided a platform for in-depth discussions on practical issues, ranging from research and development, technology transfer and commercialization to port management and operations, as well as the development of a green, smart and sustainable marine economy.
Speaking at the Mayors’ Conference, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Hoang Long highly commended the theme of FD 2026, noting that the event reflected Ho Chi Minh City’s pioneering, proactive and forward-looking approach, as well as its responsiveness to regional and international developments. Through the dialogue activities, delegates had opportunities to share and learn from a wide range of experiences, policies and practical models, while exploring avenues of cooperation that could be translated into tangible outcomes.
Notably, FD was held for the first time in the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau area, now part of Ho Chi Minh City’s new development space. Bringing the event to an area closely associated with seaports and the marine economy not only created a new highlight for FD 2026, but also enabled international delegates to gain first-hand insights into the City’s potential, competitive advantages and new development orientations, particularly in seaports, logistics, the marine economy and urban development linked to coastal and maritime spaces.
Building on discussions at the event, delegates supported further study and efforts toward establishing a city-level multilateral cooperation mechanism for seaports and the marine economy. This was one of the notable outcomes demonstrating how FD 2026 is gradually evolving from a forum for exchanges and networking into a platform for substantive cooperation and the mobilization of international resources for development.
Through substantive dialogue, networking and cooperation, the event sought to mobilize high-quality resources, promote innovation, enhance competitiveness and contribute to Ho Chi Minh City’s goal of rapid and sustainable development, while expanding and facilitating long-term cooperation mechanisms between the City and its international partners.
Ports and Logistics in Ho Chi Minh City’s New Development Space
Within Ho Chi Minh City’s new development space, seaports and logistics are playing an increasingly important role in its economic structure and development planning. Seaports serve not only as infrastructure for imports and exports, but are also closely integrated with logistics systems, interregional transport networks, industrial parks, trade and services, and the City’s emerging development areas.
In this context, the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port cluster is being integrated with Ho Chi Minh City’s logistics network and broader economic space, requiring stronger multimodal connectivity, more efficient cargo flows and the development of a robust port-centric logistics ecosystem. These were also among the key issues discussed during the thematic session, alongside the need for green transformation and adaptation to a new generation of sustainability standards.
As part of FD 2026, Saigon Newport participated as a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics and Port Association (HLA). Its representative, Mr. Truong Tan Loc - Vice Chairman of HLA and Chairman of the Members’ Council of Tan Cang - Cai Mep International Terminal Co., Ltd. - moderated the panel discussion entitled “The Role of Local Governments in Strengthening Port Cooperation and Meeting Next-Generation Sustainability Standards.” The session aimed to facilitate the exchange of perspectives and experience while identifying collaborative solutions for developing ports and logistics in alignment with Ho Chi Minh City’s urban development and sustainable supply chains.
The panel also brought together representatives from Vietnam SuperPort, the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, as well as representatives of several localities and businesses. Through the discussions, participants identified emerging requirements for port and logistics development, ranging from multimodal connectivity and efficient cargo flow management to green transformation and the mobilization of resources to support the transition.
Notably, discussions at the thematic session prompted Ho Chi Minh City to put forward an initiative to explore the establishment of a multilateral cooperation mechanism among port cities within its network of friendship cities. As a next step, relevant authorities and partners will continue to study and propose specific areas of cooperation, models and implementation roadmaps. This is regarded as an important step forward, moving the connections established at FD 2026 beyond the sharing of experience toward long-term, substantive cooperation mechanisms among port cities.
Saigon Newport - Partnering with Ho Chi Minh City Through Every Stage of Development
The evolution of Ho Chi Minh City’s port system also illustrates how its port landscape has continuously expanded and adapted in response to economic and trade growth. From traditional port areas such as Khanh Hoi, Nha Rong and Tan Thuan, the system gradually expanded to include new port hubs. As containerization accelerated and import-export demand grew rapidly, the Cat Lai – Phu Huu port area was developed and became a major container hub in southern Vietnam, supported by an extensive hinterland encompassing industrial parks across the Southeast region and the Mekong Delta, as well as regional logistics centers.
With the development of the Hiep Phuoc port area and the Cai Mep – Thi Vai port cluster, Ho Chi Minh City’s port network has increasingly evolved toward a multi-hub structure, with each area serving a distinct and complementary function while expanding the logistics space of the wider region.
Within this network, Saigon Newport maintains a presence at strategically important locations: Tan Cang – Cat Lai, a major operating hub serving extensive cargo-generating areas and a broad hinterland; Tan Cang – Hiep Phuoc, which extends logistics connectivity toward the south; and Tan Cang – Cai Mep International Terminal (TCIT) and Tan Cang – Cai Mep Thi Vai Terminal (TCTT), which serve as gateways to international shipping networks.
Through this network, Saigon Newport has not only accompanied Ho Chi Minh City in expanding its seaport capacity, but has also contributed to shaping a multi-hub port and logistics network, broadening the City’s economic space and laying the groundwork for new growth poles.
Building on its long-standing partnership with Ho Chi Minh City through successive stages of development, Saigon Newport remains ready to participate in the City’s major initiatives, ranging from policy consultation, investment, trade and import-export activities to seaports, logistics, external relations and international connectivity.
As a leading enterprise in the port and logistics sector, Saigon Newport contributes not only to the development of Ho Chi Minh City, but also to promoting the image of the City and Vietnam’s port and logistics industry to international partners and friends, in line with its guiding motto: “Reaching the World, Connecting Globally.”