This event not only marks a new stage of development for the company but also serves as tangible evidence of the practical, effective implementation of commitments between the governments of Vietnam and Laos regarding investment cooperation to develop Wharf No. 1, 2, and 3 at Vung Ang Port. It helps Laos have a seaport, opening the door to international integration, and further strengthens cooperation and economic ties between the two countries.
Gateway to open sea
More than 20 years ago, in March 2001, the Ministry of Transport inaugurated and put into operation Wharf No.1 at Vung Ang Deep-Water Port, located in Ky Anh District, with a designed capacity of 460,000 tonnes per year and a quay length of 185 metres. The ceremony was witnessed by senior leaders of Vietnam and Laos.
Vung Ang Port boasts numerous advantages: a large natural depth, over 10 metres in front of the quay, sheltered by Ron Cape, and capable of handling general cargo vessels of up to 40,000 DWT.
Since then, Vung Ang Port has been recognised on the international maritime map and has become a destination for major shipping lines around the world.
Notably, Vung Ang is the closest deep-water seaport to Laos’s border gates and the northeastern region of Thailand. It is just over 100km by road from the Cha Lo Border Gate (Quang Binh) and Cau Treo Border Gate (Ha Tinh).
The operation of Vung Ang Port marked a significant milestone, enabling Laos to access the open sea and facilitating its import and export activities via maritime routes.
Responding to the increasing needs of Ha Tinh Province, the region, and Laos, Wharf No.2 was later invested. Completed and put into operation in 2010, it has a designed capacity of 860,000 tonnes per year, a 270-metre-long quay, a 13-metre draft, a 260-metre breakwater, a 17,800 square metre cargo yard, and two warehouses of 5,000 square metres each.
To ensure long-term cooperation and independent operation at Wharf No. 1, 2, and 3, the Lao-Viet International Port Joint Stock Company was established.
Captain B. Bacalanmo of the 40,000 DWT RHL Monica Ship (Liberia) shared that besides the outstanding advantages of Vung Ang Deep-Water Port, it is close to international shipping routes.
"We highly appreciate the cargo handling capacity at Vung Ang Port. Loading and unloading activities are fast, safe, and reliable, building strong confidence among major shipping lines," he said.
Nguyen Anh Tuan, General Director of the Lao-Viet International Port Joint Stock Company, noted that thanks to investments in modern loading and unloading equipment, the application of advanced port management technologies, and a synchronised storage system, fast loading and unloading time and ship clearance, the port has attracted an increasing amount of goods. In addition, Ha Tinh Province also has policies to support and attract container ships and containers to the port.
In 2024 alone, over 5 million tonnes of cargo passed through Wharf No. 1 and 2 of the Vung Ang Port, more than 3.5 times their designed capacity, in which about one-third were import and export goods from Laos.
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More than 30% of cargo handled at Vung Ang Port is Laos’ export goods |
After nearly a quarter-century in operation, Wharf No. 1 and 2, operated by the Lao-Viet International Port Joint Stock Company, have maximised their capacity, contributing significantly to the economic development of Ha Tinh Province and strengthening the economic partnership between Vietnam and Laos.
To meeting increasing demand, the company has invested nearly 1,000 billion VND to build Wharf No.3.
Highlighting Vietnam–Laos friendship and cooperation
In late April, Wharf No. 1 and 2 at Vung Ang Port are bustling with many large ships loading and uploading cargo; vehicles and workers operate at full capacity to ensure timely releasing ships as committed.
Pham Quoc Luong, Deputy Director of the Lao-Viet International Port Joint Stock Company, shared that apart from expediting cargo operations, the company has been finalising preparations to inaugurate Wharf No.3.
"The Wharf No.3, with a quay length of 225 metres, can accommodate ships up to 45,000 DWT. On March 25, 2025, the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration issued Decision No. 254/QD-CHHĐTVN to officially announce the opening of Wharf No.3 at Vung Ang Port, Ha Tinh Province. The key components of the wharf include the quay, water area in front of wharf, wharf embankment, cargo yard, internal roads, and technical infrastructure and auxiliary works. Wharf No.3 has a handling capacity of up to 2.15 million tonnes per year. This brings the total capacity of Wharf No.1, 2, and 3 to 6.5 million tonnes annually," Luong added.
According to the Ministry of Construction, the completion and operation of Wharf No.3 will further enhance infrastructure, serving the socio-economic development of Ha Tinh Province, the region, and Laos.
Together with Wharf No.1 and 2 and the nearby Son Duong deep-water port cluster, Vung Ang Port will meet increasing cargo transportation demands, boost investment attractiveness, and create a stronger foundation for import-export activities, cargo transit, trade, and cooperation with Laos and northeastern Thailand.
In addition to the port system at Vung Ang, Vietnam and Laos are also accelerating transport connectivity projects, such as the Vientiane-Hanoi expressway and the Vientiane -Vung Ang railway.
In the coming time, to further maximise the potential of Vung Ang Port, Ha Tinh Province should collaborate with central agencies and ministries, as well as Lao authorities, to develop streamlined customs and goods control mechanisms specifically for cargo transported between Vung Ang and Laos. Priority should also be given to projects such as expanding road connections from the port to National Highway 1 and expressways, investing in a railway link from the port to the national high-speed railway, and securing funding for the construction of dikes, breakwaters and dredging of navigation channels for the Vung Ang port cluster.
