Vietnam’s Air Cargo Sector Sees Strong Growth, Moving Toward Sustainable Development

In the broader picture of Vietnam’s aviation sector recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, air cargo has emerged as a standout growth driver, demonstrating robust momentum and a clear orientation toward sustainable development. Building on a recovering market foundation, airlines are accelerating restructuring efforts, pursuing green transitions, and preparing legal frameworks to comply with increasingly stringent international environmental standards.

Impressive Growth in Air Cargo Volume

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, in the first half of 2025, the total air cargo volume across the market reached nearly 696,000 tons—an increase of 14.6% compared to the same period in 2024. Of this, international cargo accounted for over 580,000 tons, marking a strong rise of 17.7%, while domestic cargo reached more than 115,000 tons, with a modest growth of 1.3%.

At the airport system level, the total volume of cargo handled exceeded 811,000 tons, up 12.5% year-over-year. These figures underscore the growing importance of air cargo in Vietnam’s aviation ecosystem—especially amid the surge in cross-border e-commerce and the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains.

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Vietnamese Airlines Expand Logistics Capabilities

Major aviation enterprises in Vietnam are proactively shaping long-term strategies, positioning cargo transportation as a strategic pillar of growth.

Vietnam Airlines, the national flag carrier, is currently promoting the establishment of a dedicated cargo airline—mirroring models adopted by global carriers such as Lufthansa Cargo and Qatar Airways Cargo. This strategic move aims to optimize resources, meet rising demand for specialized logistics services, and create a new growth channel beyond passenger transport.

Other carriers, such as Vietjet Air, are also investing in logistics infrastructure and participating in international cargo transport through charter flights—particularly on e-commerce routes to South Korea, China, and Australia.

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The Journey Toward Greening Air Cargo Transport

Transitioning to green operations and establishing legal frameworks to meet increasingly stringent international environmental standards.

Alongside market expansion, Vietnamese airlines are facing growing pressure to meet environmental requirements—particularly regarding CO₂ emissions from air cargo, a mode of transport known for its high carbon footprint.

Vietnam has officially joined the voluntary phase of CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation), initiated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), starting from January 1, 2026. Since 2019, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has implemented a monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system for CO₂ emissions and is currently maintaining regular reporting to ICAO. This lays the groundwork for the aviation sector to fulfill its emission obligations for international cargo operations.

In addition, under the European Union’s ReFuelEU policy, starting in 2025, all flights departing from the EU must use at least 2% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), increasing to 70% by 2050. Vietnam Airlines—operating numerous routes to Europe—is expected to face significant cost impacts, estimated at USD 5–6 million in 2025, due to the transition to SAF.

Nevertheless, this challenge also presents an opportunity for Vietnam to strongly pivot toward a green cargo transport model, thereby enhancing its competitiveness against international carriers.

Domestic Enterprises Pioneering SAF Trials and Commercialization

In October 2024, Vietjet successfully operated two commercial flights using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from Vietnam to Melbourne (Australia) and Seoul (South Korea).

Many industry players are proactively localizing SAF supply chains. Recently, Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Company sold its first commercial batch of SAF to Skypec, the fuel supplier for Vietnam Airlines. This milestone marks the beginning of developing a domestic SAF supply chain—reducing dependence on imports and enabling better compliance with international environmental regulations.

Vietjet Air also became the first Vietnamese airline to successfully operate two commercial SAF-powered flights to Australia and South Korea in late 2024—demonstrating a strong commitment to green transformation across its entire operations, including cargo transport.

Aviation Infrastructure Ready for Transition

The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) is reviewing and upgrading fuel storage and SAF refueling infrastructure at major international airports such as Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, and Da Nang. This lays the groundwork for airlines to implement “zero-carbon” air cargo operations in the near future.

The government has also tasked the Ministry of Construction with drafting a pilot decree on SAF usage and CORSIA implementation—including domestic flights—to synchronize the legal framework and support enterprise-level transitions.

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Smart Hub Aviation – Partnering in the Green Transformation of Air Logistics

With a mission to optimize air cargo supply chains in Vietnam, Smart Hub Aviation (SHA) not only helps businesses access efficient international flight routes but also leads the way in connecting cargo transport with low-emission standards, flexible services, and tailored solutions for every need.

We offer:

• International air freight services (charter & consolidation)
• Optimization of transport routes, carrier selection, scheduling, and load planning
• Strategic consulting on balancing long-term contracts and spot market usage, aligned with the product cycles of each industry
• Carbon control solutions for air logistics
• Green transition consulting and compliance with CORSIA and SAF.

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

Contact Us:

• Hotline: +84 977 576 069
• Email: info@smarthub.com.vn
• Fanpage: Smart Hub Aviation