Import & Export Business Environment in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is Vietnam's largest import–export gateway and the country's principal logistics hub. Following the administrative merger of the former Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong Province, and Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province on 1 July 2025, the new metropolitan city has become one of Southeast Asia's most integrated manufacturing, logistics, and maritime economies. The unified city combines Vietnam's largest consumer market, strongest industrial base, and most comprehensive port system within a single administrative jurisdiction, significantly strengthening its competitiveness for international trade and foreign investment.

1. Banking and Trade Finance

Vietnam operates a modern banking system regulated by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), comprising state-owned commercial banks, joint-stock commercial banks, foreign bank branches, wholly foreign-owned banks, finance companies, and licensed payment institutions.

For import–export businesses, trade finance services are widely available, including:

• Letters of Credit (L/C)
• Documentary Collection
• Bank Guarantees
• Trade Loans
• Foreign Exchange Services
• Supply Chain Finance
• Cross-border Payment Solutions

Major international banks such as HSBC, Standard Chartered, UOB, Shinhan Bank, Mizuho, MUFG, ICBC, Bank of China, and numerous domestic commercial banks operate in Ho Chi Minh City, providing comprehensive financial services for foreign-invested enterprises (FDIs).

All foreign exchange transactions relating to imports, exports, capital contributions, and profit remittances must be conducted through licensed credit institutions in accordance with Vietnamese foreign exchange regulations.

2. Transport and Logistics Infrastructure

The expanded Ho Chi Minh City possesses Vietnam's most comprehensive multimodal logistics network, integrating deep-water seaports, inland waterways, expressways, airports, industrial parks, and logistics centers.

This integrated infrastructure supports international trade, manufacturing, regional distribution, and cross-border e-commerce throughout Southern Vietnam and the Greater Mekong Subregion.

2.1 Maritime Transport

Maritime transport is the backbone of Ho Chi Minh City's import–export activities.

Following the 2025 administrative merger, the city now controls Vietnam's largest seaport system, including:

• Cat Lai Port
• Cai Mep – Thi Vai Deep-water Port
• Hiep Phuoc Port
• SP-PSA International Port
• Tan Cang Port System

The combined port network offers direct shipping services to North America, Europe, Northeast Asia, and major ASEAN markets, reducing reliance on transshipment through regional hubs.

The city accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam's international container throughput and serves as the primary maritime gateway for Southern Vietnam. During the first months of 2025, cargo throughput and container volumes continued to increase, reflecting the recovery of export–import activities and strengthening logistics demand.

2.2 Inland Waterways

The city benefits from an extensive river network connecting:

• Ho Chi Minh City
• Mekong Delta
• Dong Nai
• Binh Duong
• Cambodia

Inland water transport plays an increasingly important role in reducing logistics costs, particularly for containerized cargo, agricultural products, construction materials, and bulk commodities.

2.3 Road Network

Ho Chi Minh City is connected by an expanding expressway network linking major industrial and economic centers across Southern Vietnam.

Key transport corridors include:

• Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway
• Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway
• Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway
• Ring Road 3
• Ring Road 4 (under development)

These projects significantly improve freight connectivity between industrial parks, ports, airports, and border gateways.

 

2.4 Air Cargo

Tan Son Nhat International Airport remains Vietnam's busiest air cargo gateway.

The nearby Long Thanh International Airport, currently under development, is expected to become one of Southeast Asia's largest aviation logistics hubs, providing additional capacity for high-value and time-sensitive cargo.

2.5 Logistics Services

The newly expanded city has developed Vietnam's largest logistics ecosystem, including:

• International Freight Forwarding
• Customs Brokerage
• Third-Party Logistics (3PL)
• Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL)
• Cold Chain Logistics
• Bonded Warehousing
• Distribution Centers
• Fulfillment Centers
• Cross-border E-commerce Logistics
• Last-mile Delivery Services

Following the merger, the city combines three of Vietnam's highest-ranked logistics-performing localities into a single metropolitan logistics region, significantly enhancing competitiveness.

3. Trade Support Services

Foreign investors benefit from a mature business support ecosystem.

Major institutions include:

• Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT)
• Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)
• Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC)
• Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA)
• Customs Department
• Industrial Zone and Export Processing Zone Authorities
• Professional consulting firms
• International law firms
• Accounting and auditing firms

These organizations assist investors in market entry, investment licensing, customs procedures, business matching, export promotion, and regulatory compliance.

3.1 Customs and Trade Facilitation

Vietnam Customs has accelerated digital transformation through electronic customs declaration, risk management, and the National Single Window.

Import–export procedures are increasingly digitized, improving customs clearance efficiency and reducing administrative burdens for enterprises.

 

3.2 Standards and Quality Infrastructure

Vietnam has established a comprehensive national quality infrastructure.

Key organizations include:

• Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ)
• Vinacontrol
• Accredited testing laboratories
• Certification bodies

Products entering or leaving Vietnam may be subject to conformity assessment, technical regulations, food safety inspection, quarantine, or specialized inspection depending on product categories.

 

3.3 Intellectual Property Protection

Vietnam maintains a modern intellectual property framework consistent with international treaties, including:

• Paris Convention
• Berne Convention
• Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
• Madrid System
• TRIPS Agreement

Foreign investors are encouraged to register trademarks, patents, industrial designs, and copyrights before commencing commercial operations.

4. Cross-border E-commerce

Ho Chi Minh City has become Vietnam's leading cross-border e-commerce gateway.

The city hosts major fulfillment operations serving:

• Amazon
• Alibaba
• Shopee
• Lazada
• TikTok Shop

Its integrated logistics infrastructure enables efficient international sourcing, bonded warehousing, customs clearance, order fulfillment, and nationwide distribution.

Cross-border e-commerce continues to be one of the fastest-growing segments of Vietnam's digital economy, supported by expanding logistics capacity and digital trade infrastructure.

5. Competitive Advantages for Foreign Investors

The new Ho Chi Minh City offers several strategic advantages for import–export and logistics businesses:

• Vietnam's largest consumer market
• Largest concentration of industrial parks
• Largest integrated seaport system
• Direct access to international shipping routes
• Comprehensive multimodal transport infrastructure
• Highly developed logistics service ecosystem
• Strong manufacturing supply chains
• Favorable location within ASEAN
• Extensive network of free trade agreements (FTAs)
• Growing digital economy and cross-border e-commerce market

These advantages position Ho Chi Minh City as the preferred gateway for multinational corporations seeking to establish regional manufacturing, distribution, logistics, or cross-border trading operations in Southeast Asia.