Maritime technologies market in Vietnam

Vietnam’s maritime sector is expanding rapidly, driven by export led growth, global trade integration, and rising foreign investment. It contributes around 5.8% of GDP, with a target of 10% by 2030, and supports one third of container throughput linked to exports.

Vietnam operates 34 seaports, handling 864 million tonnes and 29 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2024, with three ports ranked among the world’s top 100. The country is the world’s seventh largest shipbuilder and a major ship owning nation.

Despite strong growth, the sector continues to face challenges related to limited capacity, aging infrastructure, and high logistics costs. These pressures are driving continued demand for foreign investment and modernization.

Vietnam’s Marine Economy Strategy to 2030 aims to strengthen global supply chain participation by prioritizing:

• optimizing seaport use
• upgrading transport services
• expanding integrated logistics
• modernizing the maritime fleet

The Southeast coast, especially Ba Ria Vung Tau and Ho Chi Minh City, is designated as a hub for international container ports.

Notably, the Ministry of Transport is also planning to raise Vietnamese flagged vessels’ share of trade to 20% by 2030.

Under the national port master plan, seaport capacity is set to grow steadily to meet rising cargo and passenger demand. The port strategy additionally emphasizes automation, green energy, and 5G-enabled logistics systems.

Vietnamese ports are adopting automation technologies to streamline operations, including the use of automated cranes, container handling systems, and robotic technologies that help reduce turnaround times and improve cargo handling efficiency.  For example, Lach Huyen Port in Hai Phong, the largest port in northern Vietnam, signed a contract to invest in a smart container management and operation software system.

Vietnam’s smart port and maritime logistics sector is shaped by a mix of state-owned enterprises, domestic technology firms, and foreign players.

The Vietnam Maritime Corporation dominates shipping, port operations, and logistics, influencing investment and large procurement projects. While major ports follow centralized standards, smaller provincial ports remain less digitized, creating opportunities for targeted upgrades.

Foreign providers play a key role in setting operational and digital benchmarks, introducing advanced solutions in automation, tracking, and environmental compliance.

Domestic technology firms are gaining ground in niche digital applications such as internet-of-things (IoT), cybersecurity, and AI-based logistics. 

Short-term opportunities include optical character recognition (OCR) and gate-automation systems, AI-enabled traffic scheduling, and safety-monitoring tools that respond to Vietnam’s fragmented and price-sensitive port environment.

Medium-term opportunities expand into digital-twin solutions, survey and mapping technologies, robotic vessels, and green retrofitting of the ageing domestic fleet.

Long-term opportunities are tied to major infrastructure investments such as Can Gio, Nam Đồ Sơn, and emerging free-trade zones. Each of these initiatives require advanced port-construction, environmental, and operational technologies.

Vietnam’s preferred partnership model focuses on collaboration with local engineering firms, technology integrators, and state-linked port operators. Early involvement is essential because many procurements involve direct invitations rather than open tendering. Canadian firms should emphasize flexible, cost-efficient technologies that withstand environmental challenges, while investing in long-term partnerships and training programmes that build local capabilities. Participation in port-development planning, university innovation ecosystems, and sustainability projects will reinforce Canada’s positioning in this fast-evolving market.

• Many ports and logistics facilities lack automation readiness and suffer from weak internet and limited fibre and 5G coverage
• Smaller, shallow ports limit the economic case for full automation, and state-owned operators often prioritize lower upfront costs
• Competition from low-cost Chinese suppliers and fragmented port and customs procedures further complicate market entry for foreign technology providers

• INMEX is a biannual event that includes shipbuilding, marine equipment, port operations, and offshore technology
• Vietnam Marine and Offshore Expo is an annual event held each fall that brings together maritime, offshore, shipbuilding, and port industry stakeholders
• Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) is the region’s largest industry event, taking place every spring

For more information about the maritime technologies market in Vietnam, contact hanoitd@international.gc.ca.