16/07/2026
SHORTAGE OF LOGISTICS WORKFORCE IN THANH HOA: EXPANDING JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATES
In recent years, the logistics sector in Vietnam in general and Thanh Hoa in particular has become one of the key service industries, playing a crucial role in connecting production, distribution, and import–export activities. With its advantageous geographical location, the development of Nghi Son Economic Zone, industrial parks, and seaports, logistics has been identified as a strategic sector that contributes to enhancing competitiveness and promoting the province’s economic growth.
The Thanh Hoa Provincial Master Plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2045, emphasizes the development of logistics services as a “long-term growth driver” for the locality. However, there is currently a serious shortage of high-quality logistics human resources, requiring effective solutions to boost workforce development in the coming years.
Currently, the logistics workforce meets only about 40% of thanh hoa’s actual demand.
According to the Thanh Hoa Provincial Master Plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2045, logistics services are identified as one of the breakthrough sectors, serving as a key driver for industrial development, trade, and integration into global value chains. However, reports on logistics development in Thanh Hoa indicate that although the province has strong potential to develop logistics across all three modes of transport—road, sea, and air—the current workforce only meets approximately 40% of the actual demand from businesses.
Survey results from logistics companies as well as manufacturing and import–export enterprises reveal a significant gap between labor supply and demand, particularly for workers who are formally trained in logistics and supply chain management. This highlights the urgent need to develop human resources in line with the province’s strategic direction.
Currently, Thanh Hoa is home to the Nghi Son Economic Zone and more than 10 operational industrial parks, attracting hundreds of enterprises in sectors such as petrochemical refining, mechanical engineering, construction materials, garments, and agro-forestry-fishery processing. Alongside this, the development of Nghi Son Port, Le Mon Port, warehousing systems, and transport services has rapidly increased the demand for logistics services.
However, many local businesses report ongoing recruitment needs for positions such as warehouse managers, transport coordinators, import–export staff, and supply chain planners, yet face difficulties in finding suitable candidates. Most newly recruited employees require retraining due to a lack of specialized knowledge and professional logistics skills. Notably, even for well-paid logistics management positions, many companies in Thanh Hoa are unable to find qualified local candidates and are forced to expand recruitment to other provinces and cities. This situation clearly reflects the shortage of logistics personnel in both quantity and quality, especially among young, properly trained workers.
According to experts’ estimates, Thanh Hoa needs thousands of logistics workers each year to support production, import–export activities, and e-commerce. Meanwhile, the number of students receiving formal logistics training locally remains limited. Students trained in Hanoi and other major cities often choose not to return to their hometown, placing pressure on local training institutions such as Hong Duc University. This gap in the labor market not only presents a significant challenge but also creates clear opportunities for students to pursue studies in Logistics and Supply Chain Management in the current context.
Logistics – a field of study for innovative management thinking and digital transformation.
In conventional understanding, logistics is often perceived as purely transportation and delivery activities. However, in today’s modern economy, logistics has gone far beyond its traditional “back-end” role to become an integrated management discipline that plays a critical role in enhancing operational efficiency and business competitiveness. Modern logistics focuses on optimizing the entire supply chain—from raw material sourcing, production, warehousing, and distribution to final consumption—with the goal of reducing costs, shortening lead times, and adding value to products.
Fundamentally, logistics represents a close integration of management thinking, organizational science, and technological application. Logistics operations not only manage the flow of goods but also simultaneously control financial flows and information flows—the three core elements that determine business performance. In the context of rapidly growing e-commerce, logistics has become increasingly complex, requiring high levels of accuracy and flexibility, and is closely associated with modern management systems, big data, and automation.
Students pursuing a degree in logistics and supply chain management are equipped with comprehensive knowledge, including transport organization and management, warehouse operations, import–export procedures, international trade, e-commerce logistics, supply chain management, and relevant legal frameworks. More importantly, the training process aims to develop systems thinking, analytical and decision-making capabilities, and cross-functional collaboration skills to meet real-world business demands.
Notably, under increasing competitive pressure and the need for sustainable development, green logistics and digital logistics are emerging as inevitable trends. Businesses are not only required to optimize costs but also to reduce emissions, save energy, and enhance transparency within the supply chain. This creates a strong demand for logistics professionals with solid expertise, innovative thinking, technological adaptability, and the ability to respond quickly to market changes.
It can be affirmed that logistics today is not merely a technical profession, but a field that combines strategic management thinking and technology—offering abundant career opportunities for students who make the right choice at the right time in the era of the digital economy.
Hong Duc University – a trusted institution for training in logistics and supply chain management.
At Hong Duc University, the Logistics and Supply Chain Management program is oriented toward practical application, closely aligned with the socio-economic development conditions of Thanh Hoa province and the North Central region. The curriculum is designed to meet the real demands of the labor market, particularly the rapid growth of production, import–export, and logistics activities in the province.
Students enrolled in the program are equipped with a comprehensive knowledge system, ranging from fundamental to advanced levels, including logistics management, supply chain management, transport organization and coordination, warehouse management, import–export operations, international trade, and e-commerce logistics. In addition, the curriculum integrates supporting knowledge in marketing, corporate finance, human resource management, and strategic management, enabling students to develop a holistic management mindset and adapt effectively to modern working environments.
Notably, emerging trends such as digital logistics and green logistics are regularly updated in the program, in line with the sustainable development orientation of enterprises in the Nghi Son Economic Zone and industrial parks across Thanh Hoa.
Alongside theoretical training, the university places strong emphasis on practical learning through field trips, internships, and enterprise-based activities. Students have opportunities to visit businesses, warehouses, and industrial zones, as well as engage with real-world scenarios in import–export operations, warehouse management, transport planning, and supply chain coordination. Through these experiences, students gradually develop professional thinking and narrow the gap between academic training and industry requirements.
Another key advantage of the Logistics program at Hong Duc University is its highly qualified and experienced faculty. Currently, the Department of Business Administration—the unit directly responsible for delivering the program—consists of 16 staff members, including 4 Associate Professors, 8 PhD holders, 4 doctoral candidates, and 3 Master’s degree holders. The faculty members are not only well-trained in business administration but also possess strong expertise in logistics, supply chain management, e-commerce, digital economy, and industrial management, having been educated at reputable universities both domestically and internationally.
In the period from 2026 to 2030, Hong Duc University will continue to implement plans to enhance faculty quality through doctoral training, advanced professional development, and strengthened foreign language proficiency. This serves as an important foundation for improving training quality and meeting the growing demand for high-quality logistics human resources to support the socio-economic development of Thanh Hoa in the coming years.
Broad career opportunities and sustainable development in the logistics sector
One of the most significant advantages for students pursuing Logistics and Supply Chain Management in Thanh Hoa is the availability of job opportunities within the local area. With the rapid development of the Nghi Son Economic Zone, industrial parks, and the continuous expansion of manufacturing, import–export, commercial, and logistics service enterprises, the demand for logistics personnel is increasing in both quantity and quality. After graduation, students can take on various positions in manufacturing companies, logistics firms, e-commerce businesses, or service providers related to transportation, warehousing, and supply chain operations.
Beyond the local scope, logistics is also a highly interconnected field with strong career advancement potential. Graduates can start in roles such as logistics specialists, import–export staff, transport coordinators, or warehouse managers, and gradually progress to positions such as logistics managers, supply chain managers, or strategic planners within organizations. At the same time, students have ample opportunities to pursue further education and enhance their qualifications, enabling them to work effectively in both national and international environments.
In the context of Thanh Hoa accelerating industrialization, modernization, and economic integration, logistics is not only a field with high labor demand but also plays a key role in enhancing the competitiveness of the local economy. Choosing Logistics and Supply Chain Management is therefore considered a forward-looking decision, offering stable and long-term career prospects for young students, while also contributing to the development of a high-quality workforce to support the sustainable growth of Thanh Hoa in the coming years.
References