UN/LOCODE: VNHPH📍 Viet Nam
Port of Haiphong (UN/LOCODE VNHPH)
❖ Coordinates: 20.8449°N, 106.6881°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Saigon
❖ UN/LOCODE: VNHPH
## About the Port
**Port name:** Haiphong (UN/LOCODE: **VNHPH**) – a deep‑water gateway on the Red River Delta, Vietnam.
**Geographic location:** 20.8449115 °N, 106.6880841 °E, operating under the **Asia/Saigon** time zone (UTC +07:00).
**Administrative authority:** The port is managed by the **Haiphong Port Authority (HPA)**, a state‑owned corporation reporting to the Ministry of Transport.
**Primary function:** Haiphong is the second‑largest container hub in Vietnam after Saigon, handling a mixed portfolio of containerised, bulk, break‑bulk and ro‑ro cargo. Its strategic position at the mouth of the Red River provides direct sea‑land connectivity to the northern industrial heartland, including the Hanoi metropolitan region and the expanding Northeast Economic Zone.
> *Key SEO terms:* Haiphong port, VNHPH, Vietnam maritime logistics, Red River Delta container terminal, northern Vietnam port.
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## History
### Early Development (1883‑1945)
- **1883:** French colonial administration constructs the first modest dock facilities to export rice and timber from the Tonkin region.
- **1912:** A rail link between Haiphong and Hanoi is completed, establishing the city as a trans‑shipment node for inland commodities.
### Post‑War Expansion (1954‑1990)
- **1954‑1975:** The port suffers limited growth due to war damage, but retains strategic military importance.
- **1976:** Nationalisation integrates Haiphong into the state‑run **Vietnamese Maritime Administration**; the first **mechanised cargo handling** equipment (gantry cranes) is installed.
### Modernisation Era (1990‑present)
- **1992:** Incorporation of the **Haiphong Port Authority** initiates a series of joint‑venture projects with foreign investors, primarily from Japan and South Korea.
- **2003‑2009:** Construction of the new **Haiphong Deepwater Container Terminal (HDCT)**, a 15‑meter draft facility capable of handling 12‑meter‑wide vessels.
- **2013:** Implementation of a **Port Community System (PCS)** to streamline customs clearance and improve vessel turnaround.
- **2020‑2024:** Ongoing expansion of container berths and the addition of a **dry bulk terminal** to accommodate the surge in coal and iron ore imports linked to Vietnam’s steel‑production drive.
For a detailed chronology, see the Ministry of Transport’s port‑development overview.
Vietnam Ministry of Transport – Port Development↗
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Dredging
| Berth Type | Qty | Length (m) | Draft (m) | Primary Cargo |
|------------|-----|------------|-----------|----------------|
| Container (deep‑water) | 6 | 350–450 | 15.0 | TEU containers |
| General cargo (break‑bulk) | 4 | 200–280 | 12.0 | Project cargo, timber |
| Ro‑Ro | 2 | 240 | 12.5 | Automobiles, heavy equipment |
| Dry bulk | 3 | 250 | 13.0 | Coal, cement, aggregates |
| Liquid bulk | 2 | 210 | 12.8 | Crude oil, LPG |
The port undergoes a **continuous dredging program**, targeting a minimum **15‑meter draft** across the main container berths to accommodate post‑Panamax and Neo‑Panamax vessels (up to 13,000 TEU).
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **30+ Super‑post‑Panamax gantry cranes** with 22‑tone outreach, automated stowage planning, and real‑time crane‑control integration.
- **15 mobile gantry cranes** for auxiliary handling of break‑bulk and project cargo.
- **4 ship‑to‑shore container gantries** equipped with anti‑sway technology for high‑wind operations.
- **Automated guided vehicles (AGVs)** and **rubber‑tyred gantries (RTGs)** covering a **1.2 km²** container yard, providing a **30‑day dwell** capacity of ~1.8 million TEU.
### Storage & Logistics
- **Dedicated refrigerated container (REEFER) park** with 12,000 plug‑in points, supporting perishable imports such as seafood and horticultural produce.
- **Bulk commodity silos:** 600 kt of cement, 4 Mt of coal, and 1 Mt of iron ore.
- **Intermodal rail terminal:** Direct access to the **Hanoi‑Haiphong Railway**, enabling 800 km of hinterland reach to northern provinces and the Chinese border.
- **Road network:** Connected to **National Highway 5** and **Expressway 3 (CT.05)**, providing a 5‑hour truck transit to the Ho Chi Minh City–Long Thanh–Nha Trang corridor.
### Digital & Safety Systems
- **Port Community System (PCS):** Cloud‑based platform that integrates customs, shipping lines, freight forwarders, and terminal operators, reducing document processing time by 38 %.
- **Vessel Traffic Service (VTS):** Radar‑assisted monitoring of the Red River mouth, ensuring safe navigation through tidal sandbars.
- **Environmental compliance:** ISO 14001 certification, shore‑power capability for zero‑emission berthing, and a 30‑% reduction target for particulate matter emissions by 2030.
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## Economic Importance
### National Trade Contribution
- **Throughput:** 2023 cargo volume reached **78 million tonnes**, with **5.4 million TEU** processed—representing **~23 %** of Vietnam’s total container traffic.
- **Revenue:** Port fees and ancillary services generated **US$620 million** in fiscal year 2023, contributing to Haiphong’s GDP growth of **5.2 %** (above the national average of 4.7 %).
### Industrial Linkages
- **Steel & Shipbuilding:** The port supplies raw materials (iron ore, coal) to the **Vietnam Steel Corporation (VNSteel)** and the shipyards of **Haiphong Shipbuilding Industry Group (HSIG)**, both of which account for **~12 %** of Vietnam’s total steel output.
- **Agriculture:** Export of **rice, seafood, and rubber** via Haiphong accounts for **~15 %** of the nation’s agricultural export value, leveraging the port’s **REEFER** capacity and proximity to the Red River Delta’s fertile plains.
### Regional Development
Haiphong functions as the logistics nucleus for the **Northern Economic Zone (NEZ)**, a government‑designated cluster aimed at attracting FDI in high‑tech manufacturing, renewable energy, and logistics services. The port’s ongoing **Phase II expansion** (projected additional 3 million TEU capacity by 2027) is expected to stimulate **≈ US$2.3 billion** in downstream investment, creating more than **30,000 direct jobs** and supporting **120,000 indirect employment** opportunities.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Key International Shipping Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Primary Service | Vessel Size |
|----------------------|-----------------|-------------|
| Shanghai / Ningbo (CN) | Direct liner (weekly) | 13,000‑TEU |
| Busan (KR) | Bi‑weekly liner | 8,000‑TEU |
| Singapore | Daily feeder service | 2,500‑TEU |
| Los Angeles (US) | Transpacific via Panama Canal | 9,000‑TEU |
| Rotterdam (NL) | Europe‑Asia via Suez | 12,000‑TEU |
| Melbourne (AU) | South‑East Asia feeder | 4,000‑TEU |
These routes are operated by major carriers such as **Maersk Line, CMA CGM, MSC, and OOCL**, ensuring **four‑weekly sailings** on the busiest Asia‑Europe corridor.
### Cargo Profiles
- **Containerised goods (≈ 70 % of TEU throughput):** Electronics, textile finished goods, automotive parts, and consumer appliances imported from East Asia; Vietnam’s manufactured exports (footwear, garments, furniture) dominate outbound container flows.
- **Dry bulk (≈ 15 % of total tonnage):** Coal (thermal and coking) and iron ore imports for the steel sector; cement shipments for infrastructure projects across northern Vietnam.
- **Liquid bulk (≈ 8 %):** Crude oil, LPG, and refined petroleum products – primarily supplied by **PetroVietnam** and regional refineries.
- **Project & Break‑bulk (≈ 7 %):** Large‑scale construction machinery, wind‑turbine components, and pre‑fabricated steel structures for the NEZ’s renewable‑energy push.
### Emerging Trade Trends
- **Green logistics:** A rising share of **electric vehicle (EV) components** and **battery‑pack modules** is transiting Haiphong, reflecting Vietnam’s commitment to a **net‑zero 2050** target.
- **Digital trade lanes:** The PCS integration with the **ASEAN Single Window** expedites customs clearance for ASEAN‑origin goods, slashing average clearance time from **4.6 days to 2.9 days**.
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**Bottom line:** Haiphong port (VNHPH) stands as a pivotal maritime hub that melds deep‑water capability, modern infrastructure, and a strategic hinterland connection. Its continued expansion underpins Vietnam’s ambition to become a top‑10 global container gateway while fueling the economic dynamism of the northern province and the broader ASEAN region.
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*For additional technical specifications and recent performance metrics, consult the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) port statistics database.*
UNCTAD – Port Statistics↗
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
VNHPH
Country
Viet Nam
Province / Region
Haiphong
Latitude
20.844911
Longitude
106.688084
Timezone
Asia/Saigon
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Haiphong?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Haiphong is VNHPH.
Where is Port of Haiphong located?
The Port of Haiphong is located in Viet Nam, Haiphong. Its coordinates are 20.8449°N, 106.6881°E.
What time zone is Port of Haiphong in?
Port of Haiphong operates in the Asia/Saigon time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.52 m
Wave Direction166°
Swell Height0.44 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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