Vietnam’s outlook for imports, exports, and cargo throughput via seaports is expected to remain favorable in the coming months, supported by competitive tariff advantages and expanding Vietnam logistics operations. The United States currently applies a reciprocal tariff rate of 20% on Vietnam, considerably lower than China’s 55% and India’s 25%, and aligned with Bangladesh.
Vietnamese exporters are also capitalizing on the country’s extensive free trade agreement network, enabling more flexible and efficient operations. As the global economy recovers, demand for trade is projected to rise, further stimulating import-export activity and the wider logistics supply chain.
Shinhan Securities forecasts that higher U.S. tariffs on imports, particularly from China, will alter trade flows over the long term, with intra-Asia and Asia-Europe routes becoming more dynamic. This is expected to support Vietnam’s efforts to diversify export markets and reduce reliance on the U.S.
Hanoi-based Hai Minh JSC is expanding its international footprint with new offices in Hong Kong and India, alongside plans to launch services on the Ho Chi Minh City–Shanghai–Port Klang route. The company also intends to establish an agency for an Asian shipping line in Haiphong.
Meanwhile, Hai An Transport and Stevedoring JSC has outlined a five-year plan to expand its fleet towards longer trade routes, including the Mediterranean, Europe, and the U.S. West Coast. The firm operates 17 container vessels with a combined capacity of 28,200 TEUs, primarily on domestic and intra-Asia routes. Its board has approved an investment of up to $92 million to build two new 2,300 TEU vessels in China. Vessel leasing now accounts for around 60% of Hai An’s revenue, compared to 40% from self-operated services.
Shinhan Securities expects Hai An’s business performance to remain positive in the second half of the year, driven by strong freight rates and new intra-Asia routes.
For Gemadept Corporation (GMD), MB Securities projects an increase in cargo volume on intra-Asia routes and entry into new markets to counter reduced U.S.-bound shipments. Higher service fees are also expected to support results, with net profit forecast to rise 16.5% in 2025 and 14.4% in 2026.
Vietnam Container Shipping JSC (Vinconship: VSC) has highlighted its limited reliance on the U.S., with only 3.9% of its total handling volume linked to the market. The company has also implemented contingency plans to address potential tariff impacts. Its stakes in Vinaship JSC and Hai An have improved profitability, with both expected to benefit from front-loaded shipments and early orders ahead of possible tariff changes.
In August, Viconship and Hai An announced the creation of Hai An Green Shipping Lines, with an investment of about $180 million to build two 7,000 TEU container vessels.
Logistics enterprises remain well-positioned for long-term growth. Hai An’s chairman, Vu Thanh Hai, noted that Vietnam is targeting at least 8% economic growth this year and double-digit expansion between 2026 and 2030. “As the economy improves, trade demand will rise significantly, further stimulating import-export activities and the entire logistics supply chain,” he said.
Investor sentiment has mirrored this optimism. VSC shares gained the daily ceiling limit for five consecutive sessions between August 12 and 18, surging more than 26% in value, while GMD rose 3.6%.
Vietnam’s total import-export turnover reached $514.7 billion in the first seven months of 2025, up 16.3% year-on-year. Imports stood at $252.26 billion, a 17.9% increase, while exports rose 14.8% to $262.4 billion.
Seaport activity has also remained strong. The Haiphong Maritime Administration reported that cargo throughput at Haiphong’s ports totalled 65.5 million tons as of July, representing a 7% increase compared with the previous year.
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