New shipping route linking China, Vietnam, India launched

The container shipping route connecting the ports of Beibu Gulf (China), Hai Phong (Vietnam) and Kolkata (India) is destined to become a key strategic trade axis, contributing to the sustainable growth of both the regional and Vietnamese maritime industries.

Delegates mark the launch of the new shipping route on February 18. (Photo: VNA)
Delegates mark the launch of the new shipping route on February 18. (Photo: VNA)

Hai Phong (VNA) – The Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC) partnered with Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port Group of China on February 18 to launch a new container shipping route connecting the ports of China’s Beibu Gulf, Vietnam’s Hai Phong and India’s Kolkata.

The first public container shipping service between Beibu Gulf Port and Hai Phong Port is poised to facilitate seamless trade among China’s Guangxi, northern Vietnam, eastern India and even Bangladesh. It will see the export of Chinese goods such as glass, paper products, and energy storage batteries, while imports comprise wood chips, starch, spices, sandstone, and food products.

VIMC Deputy General Director Le Quang Trung hailed the launch as an important milestone for the regional maritime industry, describing it as a strategic gateway that will unlock new trade opportunities involving China, Vietnam and India.

This route is destined to become a key strategic trade axis, contributing to the sustainable growth of both the regional and Vietnamese maritime industries, he said.

Liu Shengyou, General Manager of Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port Group, said the move not only bolsters bilateral relations but also fosters integration between China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Vietnam’s “Two Corridors, One Belt” framework, contributing to building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port Group Co., Ltd., a major state-owned enterprise in Guangxi, is on track to achieve a container throughput exceeding 10 million TEUs this year. Its strategic cooperation framework agreement signed with VIMC last year has already borne fruit with the successful launch of this shipping service, which operates one trip every three weeks.

Liu Shengyou, General Manager of Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port Group, speaks at the launch. (Photo: VNA)

Liu Shengyou, General Manager of Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port Group, speaks at the launch. (Photo: VNA)

In 2024, China solidified its position as Vietnam's largest trade partner, with trade volume surpassing 200 billion USD. Vietnam, in turn, has been Guangxi's largest trade partner for 26 consecutive years.

Liu noted his belief in the potential of this public shipping service, which will facilitate transshipment through Beibu Gulf Port and Hai Phong Port. This development creates a new transportation and trade channel for provinces along China's New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, as well as significantly benefits the industrial sectors of Vietnam and eastern India./.

Liu Shengyou, General Manager of Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port Group, said the move not only bolsters bilateral relations but also fosters integration between China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Vietnam’s “Two Corridors, One Belt” framework, contributing to building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port Group Co., Ltd., a major state-owned enterprise in Guangxi, is on track to achieve a container throughput exceeding 10 million TEUs this year. Its strategic cooperation framework agreement signed with VIMC last year has already borne fruit with the successful launch of this shipping service, which operates one trip every three weeks.

In 2024, China solidified its position as Vietnam's largest trade partner, with trade volume surpassing 200 billion USD. Vietnam, in turn, has been Guangxi's largest trade partner for 26 consecutive years.

Liu noted his belief in the potential of this public shipping service, which will facilitate transshipment through Beibu Gulf Port and Hai Phong Port. This development creates a new transportation and trade channel for provinces along China's New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, as well as significantly benefits the industrial sectors of Vietnam and eastern India./.

VNA

See more

Downtown area in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam's golden gateway: FDI poised for gains in 2026

More than just volume, the quality of FDI entering Vietnam has improved. The nation is evolving from a base for basic assembly and processing into a genuine contributor to hi-tech manufacturing and R&D across global value chains.

Deputy Minister of Finance Do Thanh Trung speaks at the ceremony (Photo: VNA)

Project to advance growth, innovation, leadership for enterprises kicks off

AGILE is not only a testament to the long-standing and trusted strategic partnership between Vietnam and Canada, but also an important contribution to the Vietnamese Government’s efforts to promote innovation and sustainable growth within the private sector, thereby effectively mobilising private investment to realise inclusive and sustainable development goal.

At Regza Vietnam Electronics Co., Ltd. in Dong Nai province. (Photo: VNA)

FDI disbursement in January hits five-year high

Economists said that the continued growth in realised FDI reflects foreign investors’ sustained implementation and expansion of production and business activities in Vietnam. This is seen as an encouraging signal, underscoring investors’ confidence in Vietnam’s business environment and economic prospects.

In Q1 2026, Vietnam records 16 export commodities with turnover exceeding 1 billion USD. (Photo: VNA)

Exports face stiff test in bid to hit 550 billion USD

To achieve export growth of over 15% as directed by the Government, the MoIT said it will prioritise a set of core measures in 2026, including expanding production capacity, developing new export products, increasing domestic content and value added, accelerating the shift from processing to manufacturing, and proactively addressing trade barriers and defence measures.

Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA)

January CPI rises on stronger Tet holiday demand

CPI in January 2026 rose 0.05% month-on-month, with urban areas up 0.02% and rural areas up 0.09%. Of the 11 major commodity and service groups, nine recorded price hikes while two saw declines.

Vietnam is currently Cambodia’s third-largest trading partner worldwide, after China and the US, and its largest trading partner within ASEAN. (Photo: Ministry of Industry and Trade)

Party chief’s Cambodia visit to open up new phase of deeper, closer cooperation

To further unlock the potential of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Vietnam and Cambodia should continue reviewing and effectively implementing signed agreements, facilitating trade and border connectivity, strengthening trade promotion in complementary sectors, reforming administrative procedures, upgrading border and logistics infrastructure, and enhancing coordination in combating smuggling and trade fraud.