INTRODUCTION

Recently, Vietnam has been actively researching free trade zones around the world. This type of economic zone can bring many benefits to Vietnam, contributing to the development of logistics services. Currently, Vietnam does not have a free trade zone. Recently, Da Nang City was approved by the National Assembly to pilot the establishment of a free trade zone, serving as a basis for testing new policies and laying the groundwork for legalizing regulations on free trade zones nationwide
In the context of Vietnam’s deep integration into the regional and global economy, active participation in free trade agreements, and with its geopolitical advantages, researching and proposing the establishment and development of free trade zone models should be prioritized to seize opportunities. This will contribute to providing the Vietnamese logistics sector with more opportunities for development and deeper involvement in the global logistics supply chain.
To convey this message and gradually change the perception of government levels and businesses regarding the establishment, investment, and development of free trade zones to promote trade, investment, and international economic integration, the Viet Nam Logistics Forum 2024 is themed "Free Trade Zone - A breakthrough to shape logistics growth". This will also be the theme of 2024 announced at the Forum.

Viet Nam Logistics Forum hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade has been organized as the largest annual logistics event in Viet Nam since 2013. Vietnam Logistics Forum 2024 is organized on 01 – 02 December 2024 in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in collaboration with People’s Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province.

AGENDA EXPECTED
VIETNAM LOGISTICS FORUM 2024

The Grand Ho Tram Hotel, 01 - 02 December 2024

FREE TRADE ZONE – REALIZED OPPORTUNITIES AND SOLUTIONS

Time: 13:30 - 17:00, 01 Dec 2024 (Sunday)

Address: L Floor - The Grand Ballroom

13:30 – 14:00

Registration

14:00 – 14:10

Opening Speech

Mr. Nguyen Anh Son, Director-General of Agency of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade

14:10 – 14:30

Presentation 1: Potential and advantages of building and developing a free trade zone associated with a seaport in Ba Ria - Vung Tau

H.E.Mr. Pham Quang Nhat - Director of Department Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province

14:30 – 14:45

Presentation 2: Vietnam Logistics on its journey to reach the big ocean

Mr Le Quang Trung, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Maritime Corporation

14:45 - 15:00

Presentation 3: Applying technology and financial solutions in operating free trade zones and promoting logistics development

Ms Pham Minh Chau - Deputy Director of Product Policy Department, Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV)

15:00 - 15:15

Presentation 4: Promote regional connectivity through connecting logistics infrastructure in the Southeast region

Assoc. Prof. Ph.D Ho Thi Thu Hoa, Vice President Vietnam Association for Logistics Manpower Development (VALOMA)

15:15 - 15:30

Presentation 5: Free Trade Zones - Lessons from some successful models

Ms Nguyen Thi Xuan Thuy, Director of Sustainable Development, Maersk Mekong

15:30 – 15:45

Presentation 6: Trends in cross-border e-commerce logistics and directions for Vietnam

Ms Vu Thi Minh Thuy - Southern Sales Director, Viettel Post

15:45 – 16:00

Break-time

16:00 - 16:50

Panel Discussion

H.E.Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director-General of Agency of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade (Coordinator)

Mr Tran Chi Dung, General Secretary, Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA)

Mr Thai Van Chuyen, General Director, TTC AgriS

Mr Dang Thanh Son - Deputy Marketing Director, Saigon Newport Corporation

Ms Cao Cam Linh - Head of Research Department, Vietnam Association for Logistics Manpower Development (VALOMA)

16:50 - 17:00

Conclusion

H.E.Mr. Nguyen Anh Son, Director-General of Agency of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade

PLENARY SESSION (02/12/2024)

Time: 07:30 - 11:50, 02 Dec 2024 (Monday)

Address: L Floor - The Grand Ballroom

7:30 – 8:00

Registration

8:00 – 8:10

Delegate Introduction

8:10 – 8:30

Opening Speech

H.E.Mr. Nguyen Hong Dien, CPV Central Committee member, Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Trade

8:30 – 8:45

Welcome Speech

H.E.Mr. Pham Viet Thanh, Provincial party secretary of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province

8:45 – 9:10

Plenary 1: Vietnam Logistics steps forward into a new era

H.E.Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director-General of Agency of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade

9:10 – 9:30

Plenary 2: Vietnamese logistics enterprises before the turning point of the times

Mr Dang Vu Thanh, Vice Chairman, Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA)

9:30 – 9:50

Award Ceremony

The ceremony for presenting Certificates of Commendation from the Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Trade to groups and individuals for their achievements in the development of logistics services in 2024

MOU Signing Ceremony

- Cooperation on developing the quality of logistics human resources between the Department of Industry and Trade of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province and the Vietnam Association for Logistics Manpower Development (VALOMA)
- Vietnam Logistics Association (VLA) and MB Bank
- Cooperation on bonded warehouse solutions aimed at optimizing supply chains for import-export enterprises between Tan Cang Cai Mep Joint Stock Company and Logistics Cai Mep Joint Stock Company

Announcement of the Vietnam Logistics Report 2024

9:50 – 10:10

Break-time

10:10 - 10:25

Plenary 3: Trends in global supply chain shifts and recommendations for Vietnam's logistics industry

Prof. Dr. John Kent, Arkansas State University, USA

10:25 – 10:40

Plenary 4: Develop a free trade zone associated with gateway ports and transshipment ports

Mr Nguyen Thanh Binh, CEO, Gemadept

10:40 - 11:20

Direct Speech

H.E Pham Minh Chinh, Political Bureau Member, Prime Minister

11:20 – 11:30

Closing

H.E Nguyen Hong Dien, CPV Central Committee member, Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Trade

FIELD TRIP

13:00 – 15:00

The car departs from The Grand Ho Tram lobby to Gemalink International Port

15:00 - 15:10

Group gathered The group gathers at the office area, takes a tour, and puts on protective gear.

15:10 - 15:15

H.E.Mr Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director-General of Agency of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade

15:15 - 15:20

Welcome remarks

Comrade Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director - General of Agency of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade

15:20 - 15:30

Introduction of Gemalink International Port

Gemalink International Port representative

15:30 - 16:00

The group proceeds to site visits in various areas of Gemalink International Port.

16:00

End of program. Car takes the group from Gemalink International Port to Ho Chi Minh City

Successfully establishing a national VLF Forum, with a series of forums at regional and provincial scales, research, surveys, international and multilateral connections while discussing and proposing the macro and micro measures to develop Vietnams Logistics industry in the global value chain.

Periodically organize groups to visit, survey, and conduct field research on domestic and foreign markets to help businesses exchange, share and update information with each other, catch on with the latest trends as well as the movements of the regional and global logistics value chain

Strongly demonstrating the position of enterprises operating in the field of logistics, experts policy makers, managers, research institutes, universities and the press and media.

The Prime Minister decided to approve the LOGISTICS COMPETITIVE CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT & SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PLAN by 2025 and assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to take the prime responsibility for coordinating with ministries, branches and localities in, implementing the plan, proposing mechanisms and policies to mobilize social resources in accordance with the approved plan.

Establishing, consolidating and strengthening linkages between stakeholders, creating consensus, and promoting efforts towards the common goal of sustainable development of Vietnams Logistics industry (from the stage of training human resource to cultivating labor of enterprises to develop Logistics value chain).

Researching, synthesizing, completing and publishing the Annual LOGISTICS VIETNAM REPORT, establishing international and multilateral connections, while discussing and proposing the macro and micro measures to develop Vietnams Logistics industry in the global value chain.