Vietnam is rapidly emerging as a global technology manufacturing hub, and its growth is reshaping the international air cargo market. With exports of laptops, electronics, and other high-tech products soaring, carriers are racing to inject additional capacity on routes linking Vietnam with North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

DHL Expands Capacity out of Hanoi

DHL Express recently announced an additional 300 tons of weekly air freight capacity from Hanoi, responding to double-digit growth in tech-related shipments in the first half of2025. According to Peter Bardens, Senior VP of Network Operations and Aviation in Asia-Pacific, Vietnam’s rise reflects a unique combination of geographic advantages, skilled labor, and steady foreign investment.

Capacity Surge Across Major Trade Lanes

Data from air freight analyst Rotate shows:

• Vietnam–North America capacity: up 95% year over year (2,400 tons)
• Vietnam–Europe capacity: up 39% (4,800 tons)

Vietnam Airlines leads in overall capacity at 85,000 tons, while Korean Air has partnered with Vietnam Airlines to expand joint cargo corridors, particularly strengthening Vietnam–South Korea flows.

High-Tech Manufacturing Shifts to Vietnam

As global companies diversify supply chains beyond China, Vietnam has become a preferred base for high-tech production. The Ministry of Information and Communications forecasts ICT industry revenues of $169.3 billion in 2025, with hardware and electronics exports alone expected to climb 12.3% to $148.5billion.

DHL Trade Atlas 2025 ranks Vietnam among the top 30countries for trade growth, with strong momentum expected over the next five years. Vietnam’s strategic location within Southeast Asia, combined with rising global demand for electronics, ensures its air freight market will remain one of the most dynamic globally.

What This Means for Global Shippers

• Increased Lift, Tighter Competition: More capacity helps ease bottlenecks, but competition for uplift remains strong on peak tech trade lanes.
• Diversification Benefits: Shippers gain flexibility by sourcing from Vietnam, especially as tariff and geopolitical pressures reshape supply chains.
• Strategic Partnerships: Alliances like Vietnam Airlines–Korean Air point to deeper regional integration, which shippers can leverage for more reliable service options.

Key Takeaways for Logistics Professionals

1. Vietnam is now a global tech manufacturing hub, driving double-digit air freight growth.
2. Carriers are rapidly adding capacity to North America and Europe routes.
3. Shippers benefit from supply chain diversification, though demand remains intense.
4. Partnerships and alliances are reshaping air cargo networks, offering new corridors and efficiency gains.

At Worldtop & Meta, we monitor these developments closely to help clients secure reliable air freight solutions. By leveraging our strong Asia–North America and Asia–Europe networks, we ensure businesses can capitalize on Vietnam’s rapid rise without disruption.

Source: https://www.joc.com/article/vietnam-tech-exports-driving-air-freight-capacity-injection-6086162

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