VIETNAM EXPANDS GLOBAL AIR CARGO CORRIDOR: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Amidst global trade fluctuations, Vietnam is emerging as a strategic transit hub in the international air transport network. The deeper participation of major airlines and regional cooperation agreements open up opportunities to realize the goal of making Vietnam a leading air logistics center in Asia. However, to transform this potential into a competitive advantage, the country must address challenges in infrastructure, institutional frameworks, and operational capacity in a comprehensive manner.

Air Transport – A New Driver for Vietnam’s Exports

In the global trade landscape, East Asia and Southeast Asia are considered the “world’s factories,” with key industries including electronics, textiles, seafood, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce. These sectors require fast, stable, and quality-assured transportation—an area where air freight holds a clear advantage over sea or land transport.

Notably, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing geopolitical shifts, Vietnam has emerged as a new production hub, attracting numerous multinational corporations in electronics, high technology, and textiles. Export demand to the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East has risen sharply, pushing air freight volume to nearly 14,000 tons in the 2024–2025 fiscal year, a remarkable increase compared to previous periods.

This demonstrates that air transport is not just a delivery channel, but also a strategic lever helping Vietnamese goods meet urgent orders, strengthen credibility with international partners, and mitigate risks from fluctuations in maritime shipping.

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International Airlines Expand Their Presence in Vietnam

Emirates SkyCargo currently maintains 9 gateways in the region, operating 44 cargo flights per week.

Among international carriers, Emirates SkyCargo plays a pivotal role with a weekly capacity of over 21,000 tons to 25 gateways across East and Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. This represents one of the most extensive and diverse cargo networks, directly supporting the region’s rising export demand.

Cathay Pacific Cargo has also resumed its dedicated freighter service to Ho Chi Minh City, transporting nearly 2,000 tons of cargo per month on average. Notably, revenue from Vietnam accounts for more than 40% of Cathay’s total cargo revenue in Southeast Asia, underscoring the strong appeal of the Vietnamese market.

Meanwhile, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cargo cooperation, with the vision of transforming Long Thanh International Airport into a new regional transit hub. If executed on schedule, Long Thanh could emerge as a competitor to top logistics hubs such as Singapore Changi and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi.

The Major Gap in Domestic Aviation

Domestic carriers such as Vietnam Airlines are still operating at a limited scale.

Although the market is dynamic, in reality most of Vietnam’s international air cargo capacity still depends on foreign airlines. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Bamboo Airways only operate cargo services on a limited scale, mainly utilizing the belly space of passenger aircraft.

This poses a strategic challenge: without developing a dedicated freighter fleet and an international-standard logistics ecosystem, Vietnam will find it difficult to secure a proactive position in the global supply chain.

Infrastructure and Institutional Challenges

Only by taking control of infrastructure and transport capacity can Vietnam fully unlock its potential.

To realize the goal of becoming a regional logistics hub by 2045, Vietnam needs to:

• Invest in a dedicated freighter fleet to reduce dependence on foreign carriers.
• Develop international-standard cold storage and warehousing facilities to meet the specific requirements of seafood, agricultural products, and electronic components.
• Accelerate key projects, particularly Long Thành Airport, and upgrades to Nội Bài and Tân Sơn Nhất.
• Reform customs procedures and implement electronic clearance to shorten processing times and reduce costs for businesses.
• Train a high-quality logistics workforce, especially in air cargo supply chain management.

Without synchronized measures, Vietnam risks falling into a “bottleneck” situation, despite strong demand and growing interest from international airlines.

Opportunities for Import-Export Enterprises

The expansion of global air cargo corridors offers significant advantages for Vietnamese businesses:

• Increased access to distant markets such as the U.S., EU, and the Middle East.
• Ensured trade stability amid disruptions in maritime shipping.
• Faster delivery speeds, enhancing credibility and competitiveness.

In a highly competitive environment, enterprises that can flexibly leverage air logistics will gain a decisive edge in the international market.

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Smart Hub Aviation – A Trusted Partner for Businesses

As a pioneer in airline representation, Smart Hub Aviation (SHA) offers optimal solutions to help Vietnamese enterprises seize opportunities from air cargo transportation:

• GSA/CSA Services: Acting as a sales and commercial representative for leading airlines, SHA provides businesses with direct access to international cargo capacity at competitive rates.
• End-to-End Air Cargo Solutions: From route and schedule consulting to flexible cargo consolidation, helping optimize costs.
• Global Connectivity: A wide international partner network ensures Vietnamese goods reach key markets swiftly.
• Logistics Support: SHA assists businesses with booking, documentation, and fast handling of specialized requirements.

>>>> READ MORE: Comprehensive Air Freight Services by Smart Hub Aviation – An Optimal Logistics Solution for Businesses

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