SAUDI ARABIA AND VIETNAM STRENGTHEN LOGISTICS COOPERATION: EXPANDING TRANSPORT CORRIDORS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST TO ASIA

According to the Deputy Minister, the Ministry of Construction highly values the potential for bilateral collaboration—particularly as Saudi Arabia implements its “Vision 2030” strategy to develop infrastructure, logistics, and port industries, while Vietnam targets becoming a regional logistics hub by 2035.

45,000 LOGISTICS ENTERPRISES – DRIVING FORCE FOR $800 BILLION EXPORT AMBITION

Vietnam currently has around 45,000 logistics companies, serving as a crucial link in global import–export supply chains. The logistics sector is expected to make a significant contribution to the country’s goal of achieving approximately USD 800 billion in export turnover in the coming years.

The cooperation with Saudi Arabia is considered a strategic step forward, enabling logistics enterprises of both countries to connect sea, air, and transshipment routes, while also expanding export markets into the Middle East — a key gateway to Africa and Europe.

KEY SHIPPING AND AIR ROUTES TO BENEFIT

The partnership brings clear advantages to several major transport routes, helping to shape a seamless logistics network stretching from the Persian Gulf to the East Sea (South China Sea):

DAMMAM – HO CHI MINH CITY (SEA ROUTE)

A route with high growth potential, significantly reducing transit time between the Gulf region and Southeast Asia. Major transshipment ports may include Jebel Ali (UAE) or Singapore, where many international shipping lines operate regional hubs.

JEDDAH – HAI PHONG / DA NANG (SEA ROUTE)

This route connects the Red Sea region with northern and central Vietnam, facilitating import–export trade between Europe – the Middle East – Asia. It typically passes through the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.

RIYADH – HO CHI MINH CITY / HANOI (AIR CARGO ROUTE)

Ideal for high-value or time-sensitive goods. Major airlines such as Saudia Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, and Vietnam Airlines Cargo are actively operating freight routes between the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

REGIONAL TRANSSHIPMENT CONNECTIONS

Several international shipping lines currently offer direct or feeder services between the Middle East and Vietnam, including:

• ONE (Ocean Network Express)

• RCL (Regional Container Lines)

• HDS Lines

These carriers operate routes passing through Jebel Ali (UAE), Dammam (Saudi Arabia), Singapore, and Port Klang (Malaysia), providing direct and indirect connections to major Vietnamese ports such as Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City), Cai Mep – Thi Vai, Da Nang, and Hai Phong.