Due to growing container traffic, the Vietnamese government is planning to build another container port on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, with a number of sites under consideration.

Container volumes between East Asia and Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, have increased due to trade tensions between the US and China, with manufacturers to shifting production from China to Vietnam.

That growth has led to the need for more port capacity. Ho Chi Minh City’s transportation department is reviewing four sites in accordance with the port development plan for 2021 to 2030. The department’s first choice is a site next to Long Tau River in Binh Khanh Commune.

Hang Hai Construction Consultation, the consultant for the construction project, said that the port would occupy 250 hectares and can accommodate container ships of up to around 3,600TEU.

The transportation department said that the location is ideal as the port can be linked to the Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway, which is under construction. Hang Hai needs to assess how container yard and logistics services can be facilitated for the new port.

A second option, a 50-hectare site next to the Long Tau River in Thanh An commune., was vetoed due to its proximity to a nature reserve and the lack of road connections.

The third option is a 150-hectare natural deepwater site in Long Hoa Commune which can receive container ships of up to 10,000TEU.

If this option is chosen, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will need to provide guidance as the site is near the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve.

The fourth option is a 100-hectare natural deepwater site near Ong Cho Islet, next to Cai Mep port and can handle vessels of up to 20,000TEU.

Martina Li
Asia Correspondent