The inauguration of Berth No. 3 at the Laos–Vietnam International Port marks a significant step in strengthening Hà Tĩnh’s seaport infrastructure. As a vital link in the regional logistics chain, this new berth will enhance cargo flows, facilitate trade, and expand economic cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

General Secretary and President of the Lao PDR Thongloun Sisoulith, together with President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Lương Cường, led the high-level delegations of both countries to attend the inauguration ceremony of Berth No. 3 at the Laos–Vietnam International Port on the afternoon of April 28.

Held in the historic final days of April, the national-scale opening ceremony welcomed the participation of H.E. Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao PDR, alongside H.E. Lương Cường, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and other senior leaders from both countries.

A Strategic Gateway for Regional Trade
Berth No. 3 features a 225-meter wharf, capable of accommodating vessels of up to 45,000 DWT and handling 2.15 million tonnes of cargo annually. This facility is a key addition to the port’s strategic development plan, meeting growing transport demands and reinforcing its role as a logistics hub for regional and international cargo transit.

More importantly, the project is a tangible outcome of Vietnam–Laos investment cooperation agreements, enabling Laos to conduct more efficient imports and exports via maritime routes.

Mr. Nguyễn Anh Tuấn, Director of Laos–Vietnam International Port JSC, shared that after 24 years of operating Berth No. 1 and 15 years with Berth No. 2, capacity utilization has reached its peak. The addition of Berth No. 3 not only expands throughput capacity but also creates new opportunities to position Hà Tĩnh as a transshipment hub for regional and global trade.

Driving Competitiveness and Connectivity

Berth No. 3 of the Laos–Vietnam International Port entering operation marks a new step forward in the seaport development strategy, meeting the growing demand for cargo transportation.
According to Mr. Võ Tá Nghĩa, Deputy Director of the Hà Tĩnh Department of Industry and Trade, the new berth will significantly enhance customs clearance capacity, shorten transport times, and reduce logistics costs — boosting the competitiveness of local goods in international markets. It also strengthens Hà Tĩnh’s connectivity with key domestic and overseas economic zones, attracting investment in industry and logistics in line with the province’s Resolution No. 11-NQ/TU (May 26, 2022) on promoting exports and developing logistics services through 2030.

Currently, Laos–Vietnam International Port operates three berths, targeting a throughput of 7 million tonnes in 2025.

A Natural Advantage for Deep-Sea Ports

Laos–Vietnam International Port JSC currently operates three berths, with a target throughput of 7 million tonnes of cargo in 2025.
Hà Tĩnh’s 137-kilometer coastline and the deep-water Sơn Dương–Vũng Áng port complex — with natural depths from -11m to -22m and no siltation — provide ideal conditions for an international deep-water transshipment hub. Under Vietnam’s National Seaport Master Plan (2021–2030, vision to 2050), Hà Tĩnh is designated as a Class I port, with Vũng Áng and Sơn Dương serving inter-regional socio-economic development and handling transit cargo for Laos and Thailand.

The leaders of Vietnam and Laos, together with the governors of Hà Tĩnh Province and Bolikhamsai Province, performed the inauguration ceremony for Berth No. 3 of the Laos–Vietnam International Port.

At the ceremony, Hà Tĩnh Chairman Võ Trọng Hải emphasized that the Vũng Áng Economic Zone is identified as a growth engine for the province, leveraging its role as Laos’s and Northeast Thailand’s gateway to the sea along the East–West Economic Corridor. The zone is being developed as a multi-sector hub, with priorities in metallurgy, energy, manufacturing, logistics, trade, and seaport services. Berth No. 3 aligns perfectly with this strategic vision.

Expanding Infrastructure for the Future

Leaders of the Parties and Governments of both countries, along with the delegation, welcomed the inaugural vessel and toured Berth No. 3 of the Laos–Vietnam International Port.

With Berth No. 3 operational, Hà Tĩnh now has seven ports and 22 berths in total, including 19 berths in the Vũng Áng–Sơn Dương complex. In 2024, Hà Tĩnh’s seaports handled over 34 million tonnes of cargo; in Q1 2025 alone, throughput exceeded 9.25 million tonnes, with major goods including ores, potash, coal, woodchips, steel, and petroleum.

Meanwhile, Berth No. 4 at Vũng Áng Port, invested by Hoành Sơn Group with nearly VND 1.5 trillion in funding, is nearing completion and is expected to begin operations in 2025. Designed for vessels up to 40,000 DWT and 2.3 million tonnes/year capacity, this facility will further enhance the region’s maritime infrastructure.

Seaports – Catalysts for Logistics Excellence
Seaports are the backbone of international trade and play a decisive role in logistics sector growth. Expanding and modernizing seaport infrastructure helps reduce logistics costs, increase competitiveness, and improve service quality. In its 2021–2030 development plan (vision 2050), Hà Tĩnh identifies logistics as one of four key economic sectors to drive breakthrough growth.

The development of seaports helps the logistics sector reduce costs, enhance competitiveness, and improve service quality.

Alongside infrastructure upgrades, the province is implementing policies to foster logistics and export services, aiming to establish Hà Tĩnh as a gateway and transshipment center for the North Central region, aligned with its provincial master plan.