The nation's maritime and inland waterway transport sectors have continued to demonstrate robust growth during the first four months of 2025, signalling a steady recovery in trade and logistics activities after a period of economic uncertainty.

Tan Cang Saigon - the most modern and largest port in Vietnam. Photo: VNA

According to the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration (VIMAWA), under the Ministry of Construction, total cargo via ports reached 370.5 million tonnes, up 11% compared to the same period last year.

Container cargo played a pivotal role in this upward trend, with an output of 10.52 million TEUs, an 11% year-on-year increase. Both imports and exports posted impressive gains, each growing by 14% to 3.29 million TEUs and 3.4 million TEUs, respectively. Domestic container cargo also rose by 6% to 3.82 million TEUs.

The cargo structure at ports included 71 million tonnes of exports, up 3%, and 95.3 million tonnes of imports, up 9%. Meanwhile, domestically transported cargo reached 202.9 million tonnes, marking a strong 14% increase. Transit goods handled at ports totalled 1.44 million tonnes.

These figures highlight the resurgence in both international trade and domestic economic activities.

Localities that recorded notable growth in total cargo via ports included Ho Chi Minh City (almost 13%), Vung Tau (9%) and Hai Phong (5.5%).

Other provinces also saw impressive growth, including Quang Ngai (33.6 %), Can Tho (25%), Dong Nai (19%), Nghe An (15%) and Binh Thuan (11%).

However, some areas experienced a decline in cargo volumes, including Hue, An Giang, Ha Tinh and Thai Binh. Notably, Da Nang saw a 5.9% decrease.

The inland waterway port system also contributed to the positive performance. The northern region saw a 33 % increase in total cargo volume, reaching nearly 32 million tonnes.

The southern region posted growth of nearly 10% in general and experienced a remarkable 46% increase in container volume at ports.

In contrast, the central region faced a downturn, with cargo volume down eight % and container volume via ports plummeting by 78%, suggesting continued weakness in transportation demand in that region.

As of April 2025, more than 17,000 foreign vessels had passed through Vietnam’s seaport system - a seven % increase year-over-year.

Domestic ship traffic was even more dynamic, with nearly 19,800 vessels recorded, a 17% increase.

VIMAWA projects that cargo via ports will reach 464 million tonnes by the end of May, a 13% increase year-on-year.

Key projections include 254 million tonnes of domestic cargo, up 21%, 89.6 million tonnes of exports, 119 million tonnes of imports, up 7%, and 13.23 million TEUs of container cargo, up 13%.