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International trade with DHL Express Vietnam’s Hanoi gateway

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International trade with DHL Express Vietnam’s Hanoi gateway

Since joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on January 11, 2007, Vietnam has experienced a remarkable economic transformation. The WTO, which promotes global trade by establishing rules and resolving disputes, has enabled Vietnam to integrate more deeply into the global economy. 

Over the past 17 years, the country has ascended to become one of the top 20 trading economies worldwide, with Vietnam's international trade volume increasing 6.6 times since becoming a member, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). This impressive expansion has been driven by strategic investments, strengthened trade relationships, and the country’s active participation in global supply chains, which has significantly fueled Vietnam's economic growth.

In light of this progress, DHL Express Vietnam’s inauguration of its new Hanoi Gateway near Noi Bai International Airport is set to enhance the country’s trade capabilities further. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to improve the efficiency and capacity of international shipping operations, thus making it easier for businesses to export from Vietnam.

What are the main exports of Vietnam?

Before we delve into the specifics of DHL Express Vietnam's role in international trade, let's first review the current state of Vietnam’s export industry. 

Vietnam’s export market is vital to its economy, significantly contributing to its resilience and growth. In the first quarter of 2024, Vietnam achieved exports worth US$92.9 billion, supporting a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5.7%, according to research by Trade Data Monitor.

Moreover, figures from the Vietnam General Statistics Office reveal that Vietnam’s major exports from January to April 2024 include electronics, computers, and components (US$21.634 million), phones and components (US$18.416 million) other machinery, equipment, and parts (US$14.536 million), textiles (US$10.371 million), as well as footwear (US$6.542 million). Overall, these products accounted for 57.9% of the country’s total exports.

Interestingly, the top export products shipped via DHL Express Vietnam reflect this trend, which mainly consists of electronics, garments, and fashion apparel.

This impressive export performance is supported by Vietnam's numerous international trade agreements. According to the Centre for WTO and International Trade, Vietnam has established 19 active and planned Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) as of 2023 August. These include:

Active Free Trade Agreements:

  • ASEAN-Australia and New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA)
  • ASEAN-China Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (ACFTA)
  • ASEAN-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (AIFTA)
  • ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP)
  • ASEAN-South Korea Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (AKFTA)
  • ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA)
  • ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)
  • Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
  • EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA)
  • Eurasian Economic Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (VN-EAEU FTA)
  • Japan-Vietnam Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA)
  • Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
  • South Korea-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA)
  • United Kingdom-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA)
  • Vietnam-Chile Free Trade Agreement (VCFTA)

Planned Agreements:

  • Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA) (signed, not yet implemented)
  • Vietnam-EFTA Free Trade Agreement (negotiations ongoing)
  • ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (negotiations ongoing)
  • Vietnam-UAE Free Trade Agreement (negotiations ongoing)

These agreements facilitate trade by reducing tariffs, enhancing market access, and promoting investment.

With such extensive trade agreements in place, DHL Express Vietnam’s investment in infrastructure and enhanced logistics services become essential components to help leverage these FTAs to boost Vietnam's export-driven economy and improve international trade efficiency.

DHL Express Vietnam’s expansion of the new Hanoi gateway

Vietnam's thriving export industry, supported by numerous free trade agreements, benefits immensely from robust infrastructure and logistics capabilities to sustain and advance its momentum. For this reason, DHL Express Vietnam's newly expanded Hanoi Gateway represents a critical development in further enhancing Vietnam's trade productivity.

The expanded Hanoi Gateway, now double the size of its predecessor, spans an impressive 4,500 square metres. This increase in space quadruples the facility’s peak handling capacity, allowing DHL Express Vietnam to manage a significantly higher volume of shipments. 

For businesses, this translates to reduced delays and more efficient processing and shipping of goods. The larger space also facilitates better organisation and storage, enhancing overall operational capabilities.

Furthermore, the new Hanoi Gateway plays a vital role in the DHL Express Vietnam's network by complementing the existing infrastructure in Ho Chi Minh City and other parts of Vietnam. For instance:

  • The Hanoi Gateway handles shipments primarily from northern Vietnam, while the facility in Ho Chi Minh City manages those from the south. This division of labour ensures that shipments are processed and dispatched more efficiently across the country.
  • By distributing the workload between these two key locations, DHL Express Vietnam can reduce congestion and delays, leading to faster and more reliable delivery times.
  • Both gateways are integrated into DHL Express Vietnam’s national and international networks, allowing for seamless movement of goods. Shipments can be rerouted between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City based on capacity and demand, providing flexibility and improving reliability.
  • The Hanoi Gateway’s proximity to Noi Bai International Airport enables quicker international shipping from Vietnam. At the same time, the Ho Chi Minh City Gateway, near Tan Son Nhat International Airport, does the same in the south. This strategic placement ensures efficient handling of both regional and international shipments.

Overall, this expansion of the new Hanoi Gateway spotlights DHL Express Vietnam's commitment to supporting Vietnam's export growth and ensures that countries and businesses trading with Vietnam benefit from more reliable and effective logistics services.

DHL Express Vietnam’s commitment to sustainability

Beyond enhancing logistics infrastructure, DHL Express Vietnam also prioritises integrating eco-friendly business practices across all operations. This commitment to sustainability is evident in the design and operations of the new Hanoi Gateway.

One of the standout sustainable features of the new facility is its 275 solar panels installed on the roof. These panels harness solar energy to generate approximately 120 kWh per hour, which is then used to power the facility. This not only reduces reliance on non-renewable energy sources but also helps in cutting down electricity costs. 

Over a year, these solar panels help reduce carbon emissions by about 70 tons, demonstrating a tangible commitment to reducing environmental impact.

In addition to solar power, the Hanoi Gateway uses high-efficiency IE3 motors for its conveyors. These motors are designed to operate with minimal energy loss, making them more efficient than standard motors. This efficiency translates into lower energy consumption and operational costs.

The facility’s building management system is another critical component of DHL Express Vietnam’s sustainability efforts. It includes 100% LED lighting, which consumes less power and has a longer lifespan compared to traditional lighting solutions. 

Moreover, the green air-conditioning systems utilise variable refrigerant volume technology, which adjusts the cooling capacity based on the specific needs of different areas within the facility, thereby reducing energy waste.

By boosting operational efficiency while minimising greenhouse gas emissions, DHL Express Vietnam is able to make significant strides towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as well as align with the country’s sustainable development goals.

Embrace international trade opportunities with DHL Express Vietnam

As Vietnam continues expanding its global market presence, local businesses are presented with unprecedented opportunities to grow internationally. Navigating this vast potential requires reliable logistics support, which DHL Express Vietnam is well-equipped to provide.

With the new Hanoi Gateway, businesses can now utilise cutting-edge warehouse automation technologies that streamline sorting and handling processes. This advanced automation reduces handling times and minimises errors, ensuring that shipments are processed more quickly and accurately.

Moreover, by leveraging our extensive network and advanced capabilities, businesses can tap into emerging opportunities in the global market. Our sustainable shipping service spans more than 220 countries and territories. 

This extensive reach allows Vietnamese businesses to seamlessly connect with international markets, ensuring their products arrive quickly and safely to customers worldwide.

Unlock the benefits of international trade, including access to new markets, increased sales, and enhanced competitiveness, by opening a business account with DHL Express Vietnam today.

1. Vietnam Law & Legal Forum. 21 January 2024.

2. Trade Data Monitor. 15 May 2024.

3. Vietnam Briefing. 3 May 2024.

4. Centre for WTO and International Trade. 22 May 2024.