Legal framework for logistics services in Vietnam: Policy implications for human resource development in logistics and supply chain management

Abstract

Logistics services play an increasingly important role in enhancing national competitiveness and facilitating Vietnam’s economic integration. In recent years, the sector has maintained a high growth rate; however, rapid digital transformation, cross-bordere-commerce expansion, and rising demand for sustainable and green logistics have exposed major legal and institutional bottlenecks. Alongside the core legal basis (the 2005 Commercial Law and implementing instruments), Vietnam has recently introduced and shaped new pilot mechanisms related to Free Trade Zones (FTZs) in selected localities -most notably Da Nang’s FTZ under Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 and Hai Phong’s special pilot mechanisms associated with an FTZ-oriented development agenda under Resolution No. 226/2025/QH15—while policy discussions and proposals have also emerged for port–logistics hubs such as the Cai Mep–Thi Vai area (Ho Chi Minh city). This article analyzes Vietnam’s current legal framework governing logistics services, identifies key shortcomings in legislation and enforcement—particularly fragmentation, limited coverage of emerging models (e-logistics and green logistics), regulatory inconsistencies on business conditions and liability limits, and weak inter-agency coordination in state governance. Using qualitative methods (legal analysis, synthesis of regulatory documents, practical implementation review, and comparative insights), the study proposes policy-oriented recommendations to (i) update and standardize core legal concepts and scope, (ii) harmonize sectoral regulations, and (iii) strengthen national and local coordination mechanisms for logistics governance and FTZ pilots. The article also outlines competence implications for human resources in the field of Logistics and Supply Chain Management in the new context.