Cargo ships operating in the Diem Dien sea area.
The Ministry of Construction has approved a proposal by Hung Yen Province to develop a major seaport in Diem Dien capable of handling cargo ships of up to 200,000 tonnes, putting it on par with the largest ports in Southeast Asia.
Nguyen Khac Than, Chairman of Hung Yen People's Committee, said the province aims to expand its maritime economy by turning the Thai Binh Economic Zone into a multi-sector growth hub that will drive regional and national development.
Hung Yen will work closely with relevant ministries to refine zoning plans and attract qualified investors for related infrastructure projects.
Under the approved master plan, the Thai Binh port system is expected to handle between 6.8 and 8 million tonnes of cargo per year by 2030, with 10 to 11 ports in operation.
Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Xuan Sang praised the province’s strategic vision for maritime development, especially its efforts to position the Thai Binh Economic Zone as a regional economic powerhouse.
He confirmed the Ministry’s support for developing Diem Dien Port to accommodate vessels of up to 200,000 tonnes, as well as future plans for the broader Thai Binh port network.
According to maritime experts, aside from Cai Mep Port, which can handle vessels of up to 214,000 tonnes, most Vietnamese ports accommodate much smaller ships. Lach Huyen Port in Hai Phong handles ships up to 145,000 tonnes, Vung Tau up to 50,000 tonnes, and Nghi Son in Thanh Hoa up to 100,000 tonnes.
In comparison, major Southeast Asian ports include Bangkok Port (Thailand) with a 120,000-tonne capacity, Manila Port (Philippines) at 150,000 tonnes, Kuantan Port (Malaysia) at 40,000 tonnes, and Singapore Port, the region’s largest, which can handle ships up to 400,000 tonnes.