SEMINAR: “Entrepreneurship in Logistics”

The seminar welcomed:

• From the speakers:
  Mr. Nguyễn Đình Vượng – Deputy Director of the Hanoi Branch, SITC Bondex Vietnam Logistics Co., Ltd.;
  Head of the Customs and Trade Facilitation Committee, Hanoi Logistics Association.
• From the Faculty of International Economics:
  Dr. Nguyễn Thị Minh Phương – Acting Dean, Faculty of International Economics;
  Dr. Nguyễn Vinh Thành – Lecturer, Faculty of International Economics;
  Faculty lecturers and many interested students.

  

The seminar opened with an introduction by speaker Nguyễn Đình Vượng on the concept of INCOTERMS (International Commercial Terms), emphasizing that this is a fundamental area students must understand clearly. He highlighted that mastering these rules not only ensures accuracy in commercial transactions but also plays a decisive role in achieving success in the logistics industry.

He then presented four core services in logistics:

1. Warehouse: Warehouses such as those of Shopee and Lazada serve not only as storage spaces but also provide additional services such as labeling, sorting, and goods movement. These facilities help businesses optimize their processes when imported goods cannot be sold immediately.
   
   
2. Customs Clearance: This requires precision in assigning HS codes to goods. It is a complex field involving taxation, free trade agreements (FTAs), and the prevention of origin fraud. The speaker also mentioned challenges in e-commerce, such as optimizing customs procedures for international e-commerce platforms like Temu.
   
   
3. Transportation: This includes various modes such as road, air, and cross-border transport. ASEAN free trade agreements have significantly reduced trade barriers, with road transport remaining the most common option due to its reasonable operating costs.
   
   
4. International Freight: This represents the largest share of the global logistics market and is a major career target for many students, particularly in sea freight.
   

   

The seminar also offered insights into the challenges facing the logistics sector in Vietnam. One notable issue is the high cost of road transport, caused by imbalances in cargo volume across regions, which increases transportation costs between the North and South. The railway system remains insufficient to meet demand, though improvements are underway. Meanwhile, sea transport—despite being cost-effective—often faces delays. Logistics businesses are increasingly shifting toward specialization, prioritizing international freight over warehouse investments.

The speaker also discussed career opportunities in logistics, including warehouse management, customs clearance, and freight sales. He encouraged students to improve their foreign-language skills, develop management thinking, and deepen their expertise in specialized fields to meet industry requirements.

During the Q&A session, when asked about the ideal time to establish a logistics company, the speaker shared that he currently does not plan to do so. Mr. Nguyễn Đình Vượng expressed satisfaction with his current role, which allows him to leverage a strong partner network without financial concerns. He added that logistics firms in Vietnam, especially small companies, lack the capacity to expand globally and create major industry breakthroughs. The Q&A concluded the seminar on an engaging and informative note.

The seminar “Khởi nghiệp trong Logistics” offered a valuable opportunity for students, especially those studying economics, to better understand the development potential of the logistics sector in the context of globalization, gain exposure to specialized knowledge, and learn from the practical experiences shared by Mr. Nguyễn Đình Vượng. The seminar not only inspired entrepreneurial thinking but also helped students build clearer career pathways and develop skills for their future professions.

The Faculty of International Economics, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, sincerely thanks speaker Nguyễn Đình Vượng for sharing his valuable knowledge and experience. His enthusiasm provided strong motivation and helped students shape their career orientations with greater clarity. We wish him good health, continued success, and lasting positive impact on the community.