Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued Official Dispatch No 113/CD-TTg on July 19, outlining strategic measures to accelerate the development of waterway transport and enhance Vietnam’s logistics sector.

The dispatch was sent to ministers of Construction, Finance, Industry and Trade, Agriculture and Environment, Justice, Science and Technology, National Defense, and Public Security, as well as the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam and chairpersons of all provincial and municipal People’s Committees.

The document highlights Vietnam’s natural advantages, including a vast network of 42,000 km of navigable rivers and a coastline exceeding 3,260 km, dotted with favorable estuaries and bays. These conditions are ideal for developing inland and coastal shipping, a cost-effective and high-capacity transport mode that eases pressure on road and rail systems, supports sustainable economic growth, and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Despite its growing role in the national transport system, waterway transport still faces significant challenges due to underinvestment and policy gaps. These include inadequate infrastructure, limited fleet capacity, and weaknesses in management, human resource quality, and intermodal connectivity.

To address these issues and unlock the sector’s full potential, the PM called for rapid and sustainable development, aiming to lower logistics costs, stimulate economic growth, and support Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Key directives include: prioritizing investment in upgrading major waterway routes, inland ports, and strategic seaports; creating mechanisms to attract private sector investment in waterway infrastructure; and integrating logistics planning—including centers, warehouses, and distribution hubs—with inland waterway networks.