Expanding Vietnam-Laos Logistics Connectivity

On November 20 in Vientiane (Lao People’s Democratic Republic), within the framework of the Vietnam-Laos Trade Connection and Business Promotion Fair 2025, Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP) - Corps 20 under Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense - and Lao-Asia Telecom under the Lao Ministry of National Defense held a ceremony to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strategic cooperation in the logistics sector.

Saigon Newport Corporation and Lao-Asia Telecom Company sign a cooperation agreement in the field of logistics

This event contributes to promoting cross-border supply chains and further strengthens the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, which is “forever green and ever sustainable.”

Mr. Nguyen Truong Thang, Deputy Minister of National Defense of Vietnam, and Mr. Saichay Kommasith, Deputy Minister of National Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People’s Army, attended and witnessed the signing ceremony. Also attending were Mr. Ulaha Thongvantha, General Director of Lao-Asia Telecom Company, and Mr. Bui Van Quy, Deputy Commander of Corps 20 and Deputy General Director of Saigon Newport Corporation.

Vietnam and Laos are neighboring countries sharing a border of more than 2,000 km stretching from north to south and a long-standing, close traditional friendship, creating a favorable foundation for cross-border logistics cooperation. The cooperation between Saigon Newport Corporation, Vietnam’s leading container terminal operator, and Lao-Asia Telecom, a key enterprise under the Lao Ministry of National Defense, marks an important step forward in bilateral economic cooperation.

Colonel Bui Van Quy, Deputy Commander of Corps 20, Deputy General Director of Saigon Newport Corporation, addresses the event

With the objectives of improving the efficiency and quality of logistics services at the Lao-Vietnam International Port in Vung Ang and related facilities; optimizing logistics operations to reduce costs and enhance the competitiveness of enterprises along the East-West Economic Corridor, especially those using the port’s services; and further strengthening the special Vietnam-Laos friendship in the new context, Saigon Newport Corporation and Lao-Asia Telecom signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering the following key areas of cooperation:

Training and human resource development: The two parties will cooperate in training and developing high-quality human resources to serve the logistics sector and port and terminal operations.

Port operation and terminal management consulting: The two parties will coordinate to provide and exchange professional consulting solutions on organizational design, management structure, and operating procedures for ports and inland container depots (ICDs). In addition, both sides will share practical experience in applying technology and international standards in port operation and management.

Coordinated development of regional logistics connectivity: The two parties will jointly study integrated logistics models to ensure effective connections between seaports, dry ports, distribution centers and domestic and international transport networks, especially along the East-West Economic Corridor.

Joint investment and project development: The two parties will examine the potential for establishing joint ventures or other forms of investment cooperation to implement East-West logistics projects, providing international multimodal logistics services between Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Priority will be given to connecting cargo flows for the Lao-Vietnam International Port with customers, as well as to logistics services for Lao-Asia Telecom and the Lao Ministry of National Defense.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang and Senior Lieutenant General Vongsone Inpanphim visit the exhibition area of Saigon Newport Corporation

Support for market access and development: The two parties will coordinate in conducting market research, trade promotion, customer engagement, and network development activities in key regions of the two countries. The aim is to expand the scale of logistics service provision, enhance competitiveness, and diversify the output markets for port and logistics services provided by both sides.

In addition to the signing ceremony, Saigon Newport Corporation actively participated in a series of activities within the framework of the Vietnam-Laos Trade Connection and Business Promotion Fair 2025, including operating an exhibition booth, delivering presentations at seminars, and engaging in social and community activities. At the exhibition, Saigon Newport Corporation showcased numerous achievements in business performance and digital transformation; in particular, the VR360 virtual tours of Tan Cang-Cat Lai Terminal and Tan Cang-Cai Mep International Terminal attracted significant attention from the Lao public and international visitors.

At the Vietnam-Laos Enterprise Investment Cooperation Seminar, the representative of Saigon Newport Corporation delivered a presentation on “Logistics solutions for Vietnam-Laos cargo, creating competitive advantages for the East-West Economic Corridor,” which received great interest from many Lao enterprises.

By Cong Hoan, Vietnam Business Forum