Large investors such as Japan's Sumitomo Group and Belgium's Port of Zeebrugge will be introduced to state-owned Vinalines with a view to developing the new Van Phong and Lach Huyen ports.

Vietnam's northern Lach Huyen International Seaport mega project is scheduled to get off the ground in 2008, the transport minister said, following his recent approval of its feasibility study.

The Vietnamese government has instructed state giants PetroVietnam and National Shipping Lines Corp (Vinalines) to strictly adhere to the schedule approved for building a new port complex in the south.

Central Vietnam has major advantages like a long coastline and natural and cultural attractions but its growth continues to be sluggish, dragged down by authorities' failure to develop logistics and tourism.

Northern Hai Phong port city is ramping up major infrastructure projects and freeing up land plots to lure more investors, according to the port city government.

China Merchants Group (CMG), a leading Chinese multi-business company has entered into a memorandum of understanding with a state-run shipping giant to develop a container port in southern Vietnam.

China Merchants Group (CMG), a leading Chinese multi-business company has signed two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with local partners, with an eye to expanding its presence in Vietnam.

US maritime shippers, carriers and port operators will have far-reaching access to Vietnam's rapidly expanding markets for transportation services, thanks to a new bilateral agreement reached Thursday.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has urged the maritime industry to increase the pace of selling off shares in its enterprises to transform the sector into a key economic player.

The Vietnamese government will allow the Ministry of Communication and Transport to pick up an international technical consultant for a VND4.7 trillion (US$294 million) deepwater port in southern Vietnam.