Saigon Newport Corporation accompanies Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue 2026, connecting international resources for port and logistics development
11/09/2026
The 3rd Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue 2026 (FD 2026), hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee under the theme “City Diplomacy – A Driving Force for Innovation and Sustainable Growth”, took place from September 10 to 12 in Vung Tau Ward, bringing together nearly 500 delegates from 36 localities and international delegations. Compared with its previous two editions, FD 2026 continued to expand in scale, content and forms of engagement, shifting from fostering friendship relations toward connecting resources, experience and cooperation opportunities for development. At this year’s event, Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP) continued to affirm its proactive role as a leading port and logistics enterprise. Entrusted by Ho Chi Minh City to participate in networking and coordination activities at the Cai Mep port cluster, SNP contributed to strengthening exchanges and connections among international delegates while showcasing the capabilities and development potential of Ho Chi Minh City’s and Vietnam’s port and logistics sectors.
FD 2026: From building relationships to mobilizing resources
A key highlight of the Friendship Dialogue was the Mayors’ Conference, where leaders from Vietnamese and international localities discussed the proactive role of local governments within the overall framework of national foreign policy, while sharing experience in participating in and effectively leveraging international city networks.
A notable feature of FD 2026 was the stronger linkage between local diplomacy and development objectives, marking a shift from relationship-building toward resource mobilization. In addition to the Mayors’ Conference, two thematic sessions on innovation and ports – logistics provided a platform for in-depth discussions on practical issues, ranging from research and development, technology transfer and commercialization to port management and operations, as well as the development of a green, smart and sustainable marine economy.
Speaking at the Mayors’ Conference, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Hoang Long highly appreciated the theme of FD 2026, noting that the event reflected Ho Chi Minh City’s pioneering, proactive and responsive approach to regional and international developments. Through the dialogue activities, delegates were able to exchange and learn from a wide range of practical experiences, policies and models, while identifying potential areas of cooperation that could be translated into tangible outcomes.
Notably, FD was held for the first time in the former Ba Ria – Vung Tau area, now part of Ho Chi Minh City’s new development space. Bringing the event to an area closely associated with seaports and the marine economy not only created a new highlight for FD 2026, but also enabled international delegates to directly experience and explore the City’s potential, advantages and new development orientations, particularly in seaports, logistics, the marine economy and sea-oriented urban development.
Building on discussions at the event, delegates supported studying and promoting the establishment of a city-level multilateral cooperation mechanism on ports and the marine economy. This was one of the notable outcomes demonstrating how FD 2026 is gradually evolving from a platform for exchanges and networking into a mechanism for substantive cooperation and the mobilization of international resources for development.
A key highlight of the Friendship Dialogue was the Mayors’ Conference, where leaders from Vietnamese and international localities discussed the proactive role of local governments within the overall framework of national foreign policy, while sharing experience in participating in and effectively leveraging international city networks.
A notable feature of FD 2026 was the stronger linkage between local diplomacy and development objectives, marking a shift from relationship-building toward resource mobilization. In addition to the Mayors’ Conference, two thematic sessions on innovation and ports – logistics provided a platform for in-depth discussions on practical issues, ranging from research and development, technology transfer and commercialization to port management and operations, as well as the development of a green, smart and sustainable marine economy.
Speaking at the Mayors’ Conference, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Hoang Long highly appreciated the theme of FD 2026, noting that the event reflected Ho Chi Minh City’s pioneering, proactive and responsive approach to regional and international developments. Through the dialogue activities, delegates were able to exchange and learn from a wide range of practical experiences, policies and models, while identifying potential areas of cooperation that could be translated into tangible outcomes.
Notably, FD was held for the first time in the former Ba Ria – Vung Tau area, now part of Ho Chi Minh City’s new development space. Bringing the event to an area closely associated with seaports and the marine economy not only created a new highlight for FD 2026, but also enabled international delegates to directly experience and explore the City’s potential, advantages and new development orientations, particularly in seaports, logistics, the marine economy and sea-oriented urban development.
Building on discussions at the event, delegates supported studying and promoting the establishment of a city-level multilateral cooperation mechanism on ports and the marine economy. This was one of the notable outcomes demonstrating how FD 2026 is gradually evolving from a platform for exchanges and networking into a mechanism for substantive cooperation and the mobilization of international resources for development.
On the morning of September 11, 2026, the Mayors’ Conference — the focal event of the 3rd Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue 2026 — was held in Vung Tau Ward.
Through dialogue, networking and substantive cooperation activities, the event aimed to mobilize high-quality resources, promote innovation, enhance competitiveness and contribute to Ho Chi Minh City’s goal of rapid and sustainable development, while expanding and fostering long-term cooperation mechanisms between the City and its international partners.
Ports and logistics in Ho Chi Minh City’s new development space
Within Ho Chi Minh City’s new development space, ports and logistics are playing an increasingly important role in the City’s economic structure and development planning. Seaports are not merely infrastructure serving import and export activities; they are also closely linked with logistics systems, inter-regional transport networks, industrial zones, trade and services, and the City’s emerging development areas.
In particular, the Cai Mep – Thi Vai port cluster is being integrated more closely with Ho Chi Minh City’s logistics network and broader economic space, requiring stronger multimodal connectivity, more efficient cargo flow management and the development of a comprehensive hinterland logistics ecosystem. These were also among the key topics discussed during the thematic session, alongside green transition requirements and adaptation to new-generation sustainability standards.
Within the framework of FD 2026, Saigon Newport Corporation participated as a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics and Port Association (HLA). SNP was represented by Mr. Truong Tan Loc, Vice Chairman of HLA and Chairman of the Members’ Council of Tan Cang – Cai Mep International Terminal Co., Ltd. (TCIT), who moderated the thematic session titled “The Role of Local Governments in Strengthening Port Cooperation and Meeting New-Generation Sustainability Standards”. The session provided a platform for sharing perspectives and experience and identifying cooperative solutions for port and logistics development in connection with Ho Chi Minh City’s urban space and sustainable supply chains.
Mr. Truong Tan Loc, representative of Saigon Newport Corporation, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics and Port Association and Chairman of the Members’ Council of TCIT., moderated the thematic session “The Role of Local Governments in Strengthening Port Cooperation and Meeting New-Generation Sustainability Standards”.
The thematic session also featured the participation of Vietnam SuperPort, the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, as well as representatives of several localities and enterprises. Through the discussions, participants identified emerging requirements for port and logistics development, ranging from multimodal connectivity and efficient cargo flow management to green transition and the mobilization of resources for transformation.
Notably, based on the discussions at the thematic session, Ho Chi Minh City proposed an initiative to study and progressively establish a multilateral cooperation mechanism among port cities within its network of friendship cities. As an initial step, relevant agencies and partners will continue studying and proposing specific areas of cooperation, operating models and an implementation roadmap. This is regarded as an important step in transforming the connections established through FD 2026 from experience-sharing into long-term, substantive cooperation mechanisms among port cities.
Saigon Newport Corporation – Accompanying Ho Chi Minh City through every stage of development
The development history of Ho Chi Minh City’s port system also demonstrates how its port space has continuously expanded and evolved in response to economic and trade growth. From traditional port areas such as Khanh Hoi, Nha Rong and Tan Thuan, the port system gradually developed new hubs. As containerization accelerated and import-export demand increased rapidly, the Cat Lai – Phu Huu port area was developed and became a major container handling hub in Southern Vietnam, supported by an extensive hinterland comprising industrial zones in the Southeast region, the Mekong Delta and regional logistics centers.
Together with the development of the Hiep Phuoc port area and the Cai Mep – Thi Vai port cluster, Ho Chi Minh City’s port network has increasingly evolved toward a multi-hub model, with each area performing an appropriate role and collectively forming a complementary system that expands the region’s logistics space.
Within this system, Saigon Newport Corporation maintains a presence at strategically important locations, from Tan Cang – Cat Lai, a major handling hub connected to an extensive cargo base and hinterland; to Tan Cang – Hiep Phuoc Terminal, which expands logistics connectivity toward the south; and TCIT and TCTT, which serve as gateways to international shipping networks.
Through this network, Saigon Newport Corporation has not only accompanied Ho Chi Minh City in expanding its seaport capacity, but has also contributed to shaping a multi-hub port and logistics network, supporting the expansion of the City’s economic space and providing a foundation for the development of new growth poles.
Delegates attending the Friendship Dialogue 2026 visited and worked at SNP’s Cai Mep port cluster.
Building on its long-standing partnership with the City through different stages of development, SNP remains ready to participate in Ho Chi Minh City’s major initiatives**, ranging from policy consultation, investment, trade, import-export activities, ports and logistics to external relations and international connectivity.
As a leading enterprise in the port and logistics sector, SNP not only contributes to the City’s development but also helps promote the image of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam’s port and logistics industry to international friends and partners, in line with its guiding message:
“Reaching Global Heights – Connecting the World.”