Vietnam has about 170 container ports, distributed across 25 localities and stretching over 3,200km of coastline, specifically handling a very large volume of goods entering and leaving the ports. For a long time, businesses have shown special interest in applying IT to improve the efficiency of port operations, management, and exploitation. Previously, without domestic solutions, Vietnamese seaports had to purchase foreign products at high prices. However, the application of IT still had limitations, mostly related to dependence on foreign technology. Connecting and sharing data was very difficult, especially upgrading and training Vietnamese IT staff.
Recognizing this, for over 11 years, CEH company has persistently and diligently developed a Made in Vietnam digital seaport platform. We have full features and utilities for end-to-end operation. We have achieved positive results.
First, previous transactions, when using foreign software, required 12 touchpoints to complete the service. With the Made in Vietnam application, only 1 touchpoint is needed, and the time required is only 2 to 3 minutes. Compared to Singapore, which has a developed smart port level, our time is comparable.
Second, the CEH platform has connected with 35 seaport units, over 100 shipping lines worldwide, nearly 2,000 domestic transport businesses, and 45,000 import-export businesses, forming a centralized data warehouse to improve processes and enhance efficiency; developing new business models such as applying digital data in ride-hailing and barge services based on a sharing economy model similar to Grab and Uber, helping shippers book immediately and helping drivers find return trips.
Third, the investment cost of a Vietnamese product is only 10-20% compared to foreign suppliers. Especially, looking at the bigger picture, the digital seaport platform integrates into the overall picture of Vietnamese seaports. This is a condition for forming a Vietnamese port database, integrating and sharing with State agencies, serving State management.
State management agencies have tools to monitor and supervise each container from the moment it enters Vietnamese territorial waters until it enters the port and goes to industrial zones or distribution centers. I am confident that I can solve this problem, and even bring Vietnamese technology solutions to the world. As of today, with the cooperation of GMD group, we have a plan to export to the Southeast Asian market.
CEH’s journey has been extremely challenging, one of which is overcoming the prejudice and hesitation of transport businesses towards domestic products; and the demanding requirements for security and information safety of features and utilities. There were times when we almost gave up, but 3 years ago, we approached the Authority of Information Security (Ministry of Information and Communications) and were introduced by the Ministry of Information and Communications to meet with other units and sectors to develop features that meet legal requirements.
It was the State management agencies that accompanied us, helping us overcome those prejudices and become a reliable technology partner for port businesses. We have proven that Vietnamese businesses are fully capable of mastering and developing products that meet Vietnam’s requirements and reach out to the world.
I would like to thank the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Transport for always trusting and creating conditions for Vietnamese digital technology businesses to develop.