The province with the most advanced infrastructure in Vietnam is set to soon become the country’s logistics hub.

According to the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) report, in 2022, Quang Ninh ranked first among localities with the best infrastructure in Vietnam.

In addition, Quang Ninh has consistently been a pioneer in administrative reform and improving the investment and business environment, maintaining the top position nationwide for six consecutive years (2017–2022) in the PCI rankings.

Currently, Quang Ninh’s total road network length is approximately 6,361.93 km. With the commissioning of the Van Don – Mong Cai Expressway, Quang Ninh has become the locality with the largest expressway length in the country (176 km out of 1,046 km nationwide).

The Van Don – Mong Cai Expressway is 80 km long, with a design speed of 120 km/h and a total investment of approximately VND 14 trillion. It was officially opened to traffic in September 2022. According to the Chairman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee, this is the longest and most modern expressway in Vietnam.

Notably, the Van Don – Mong Cai Expressway is the only expressway in Vietnam that is seamlessly connected to three international airports (Noi Bai – Cat Bi – Van Don). At the same time, this route, together with the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Lang Son Expressway, connects the three most important international border gates in northern Vietnam (Lao Cai, Huu Nghi, and Mong Cai).

Moreover, the Van Don – Mong Cai Expressway, in combination with the seaport and logistics system, key economic growth poles in the North, major urban centers, coastal economic zones of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, and border-gate economic zones with Mong Cai International Border Gate, creates distinct comparative advantages for Quang Ninh.

To complete this expressway, Quang Ninh applied innovative approaches in infrastructure development. The province adopted a mechanism of “public investment leading private investment, public investment – private management,” using state budget funds as seed capital to mobilize additional resources under the principle of harmonized benefits and shared risks. This has been a key factor enabling the province, within a short period, to develop expressways accounting for one-tenth of the country’s total expressway length.

According to the Quang Ninh provincial portal, the province benefits from a strategic geo-economic location and a nearly fully developed, modern transport infrastructure system covering all five modes of transport (road, inland waterways, rail, maritime, and air), facilitating connectivity and trade with domestic, regional, and international markets.

As a result, Quang Ninh holds significant advantages for logistics development. Its logistics potential is closely linked to border trade, seaports, and notably Van Don International Airport, which offers strong growth prospects.

Regarding seaport strengths, Quang Ninh has six port clusters, including three key areas: Cam Pha (Cam Pha City), Hon Gai (Ha Long City), and Van Gia (Mong Cai City). Recognizing the strategic importance of seaports, the province has mobilized and attracted various resources—primarily non-state capital—to develop port infrastructure, terminals, and port connectivity, while actively applying advanced technologies in management and operations.

Typical projects include Van Ninh General Port (Mong Cai City – Phase 1) with a total investment of over VND 2.2 trillion; Ao Tien High-Standard Port (Van Don District); and the LNG-to-power plant project in Cam Pha City, which includes a seaport component.

In the future, as seaport infrastructure, transport connectivity, and supporting services are further developed in a synchronized manner, Quang Ninh’s ports will become key gateways, enhancing the competitiveness of goods and the position of the marine economy.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Minh, Secretary General of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), affirmed: “With its outstanding advantages and potential, along with strong determination from the provincial government and remarkable efforts from the business community and residents, Quang Ninh possesses all necessary conditions to become a major logistics hub and a multimodal distribution and transshipment center connecting the Northern Key Economic Region with the rest of the country, the region, and the world. Therefore, Quang Ninh will soon become a national logistics hub.”