Ho Chi Minh City: The Can Gio International Transshipment Port project enters the investor selection phase.

Perspective of Can Gio International Transshipment Port. Photo: Portcoast

In terms of guidelines and policies, the Can Gio Port Project was approved in principle by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 148 dated January 16, 2025. On February 13, 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Official Dispatch No. 913 on the project implementation plan.

Can Gio Port is a mega-project with a large scale, covering an area of approximately 571 hectares and a total investment of more than VND 113,500 billion (equivalent to USD 4.5 billion). It is part of an integrated ecosystem connecting seaports with Long Thanh International Airport and the central area of Ho Chi Minh City. According to the plan, the port will be able to accommodate vessels of up to 250,000 DWT (equivalent to 24,000 TEUs), with a maximum capacity of around 16.9 million TEUs.

Mr. Vu Anh Dung, a representative of the Department of Construction, stated at a press briefing that under the National Seaport Master Plan, the Can Gio port terminal area is designated to function as an international container transshipment hub; meanwhile, the Cai Mep – Thi Vai terminal area plays the role of a gateway port combined with international transshipment. At the same time, the master plan orients the formation of a large-scale international transshipment port cluster of regional Asian and international stature at the Cai Mep river mouth, including the Cai Mep – Thi Vai terminal area and the Can Gio port terminal area.

In implementing Politburo Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW dated October 7, 2022 on socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in the Southeast region through 2030, with a vision to 2045, Ho Chi Minh City has studied the Project “Continuing the development and modernization of the Cai Mep – Thi Vai international gateway port into the largest international transshipment port in the country, with regional Asian and global stature.” On the basis of political orientation, planning, and practical considerations, the project clearly defines the long-term roles of port terminal areas within the national seaport system.

Specifically, Can Gio Port is oriented to be a specialized transshipment port, with transshipped container cargo accounting for approximately 75%–80%, while the remaining 20%–25% will be Vietnam’s import-export cargo.

The Cai Mep – Thi Vai port area will maintain its role as a regional gateway port combined with transshipment, with the target proportion of transshipped container cargo reaching around 20%–25% by 2050, while the remaining 75%–80% will be Vietnam’s import-export cargo.

After 2050, when Can Gio Port reaches its maximum capacity, the Cai Mep – Thi Vai port area will continue to attract international transshipment cargo, aiming for a transshipment ratio of approximately 50%.

“Thus, the two port areas are complementary in nature, developing together with the goal of forming a large-scale, modern international gateway and transshipment port cluster capable of competing with major seaports in the Asian region and worldwide,” Mr. Dung emphasized.

Once operational, Can Gio Port is expected to contribute to enhancing logistics capacity, attracting investment, and elevating the international maritime position of Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Vietnam in general.

For Ho Chi Minh City, the project is projected to bring significant benefits by attracting investment capital from enterprises to develop modern seaport infrastructure. When the port becomes operational, it is expected to contribute directly to the state budget by approximately VND 34,000–40,000 billion per year, while creating around 6,000–8,000 jobs.

The project is also expected to create momentum for synchronized regional infrastructure development, the formation of logistics centers and free trade zones associated with the international transshipment port; attract major global shipping, logistics, trade, finance, banking, and insurance corporations to establish their headquarters in the area; and draw foreign direct investment (FDI) into industrial zones across the Southeast region, thereby contributing to the formation of an International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City.

Perspective of Can Gio International Transshipment Port

At the national level, the project is expected to help affirm Vietnam’s position and role on the global maritime map, positioning Vietnam as an international transshipment hub of the region, attracting major shipping lines and logistics companies, and becoming an important link in the global supply chain; thereby contributing to socio-economic development and supporting import-export activities while reducing intermediary costs.

The project is also expected to contribute to developing the Southeast region into an important international trade gateway, promoting the regional economy, while effectively implementing Vietnam’s Maritime Strategy and transforming the Cai Mep – Can Gio area into an international transshipment hub of regional and global significance.