Freight transportation is an indispensable part of any business operation, especially for countries with developed economies and complex geographical distribution like Vietnam. With a long territory stretching from North to South, the transportation of goods on North-South routes becomes an important factor in the supply chain. Among the modes of transportation, road transport occupies a special position thanks to its flexibility and ability to serve on-site. However, like any other mode of transportation, road transport also comes with both benefits and challenges.
1. Benefits of North-South freight transport by road
1.1. High flexibility
One of the biggest benefits of road transport is flexibility. Road transport allows businesses to easily adjust the time of transport, route and volume of goods. Compared to rail or sea transport, the use of trucks allows businesses to plan transport according to the specific needs of each shipment and even change the route when necessary.
The ability to transport from warehouse to warehouse (door-to-door) is an outstanding strength of road transport. This is especially useful in cases where goods need to be delivered to destinations that are inaccessible to other transport infrastructure systems such as inner-city areas, remote areas, or specific production and business locations of each business.
1.2. Faster transit times than other modes
Although rail or sea transport can transport larger volumes of goods, their transit times are often much longer than road transport. Especially for businesses that need fast delivery or when the items are urgent such as fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), fresh food, or seasonal products, road transport is the optimal choice.
In addition, transporting via major national highways such as National Highway 1A helps shorten travel time between major cities and provinces. In favorable weather conditions and without serious traffic jams, goods can be transported from North to South in just a few days, bringing high business efficiency.
1.3. Serving a variety of goods
Road transport has no limit on the types of goods that can be transported. From small, easily packaged items such as clothing, pharmaceuticals, and electronic equipment, to bulky, heavy items such as building materials, industrial machinery, or dangerous goods such as chemicals, all can be transported safely via trucks.
In particular, with the development of technology and modern means of transport, trucks today can be specially designed to suit each specific type of goods. For example, refrigerated trucks are equipped with cooling systems to transport food, fresh fruits and vegetables, or medical products that require special temperature conditions. This gives businesses more flexibility in choosing the right vehicle for their needs.
1.4. Lower initial investment costs
Compared to other modes of transport such as rail or sea, road transport requires much lower initial investment costs. Renting trucks or partnering with road transport companies can be financially easier, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. The costs associated with road transport typically include truck rental fees, fuel, and vehicle maintenance fees, but are still manageable compared to the costs of building or maintaining a rail or sea transport system.
In addition, because there is no need to use complex equipment such as cranes, ports or terminal systems, road transport helps businesses save on many other costs. This makes this method more attractive to businesses with not too large volumes of goods and need to deliver quickly.
2. Challenges of North-South freight transport by road
2.1. Impact from weather conditions
One of the biggest challenges for road transport is the impact from weather conditions. Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate, with a rainy season lasting from May to November, especially in the central region, where floods and landslides are common. During the rainy season, the transportation of goods can be disrupted due to flooded, damaged roads, or road closures for safety reasons.
This not only causes delays in delivery, but can also damage goods, especially items that are susceptible to humidity or temperature, such as food, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. For businesses that need to deliver on time and consistently, this can cause financial and reputational damage.
2.2. Quality of transport infrastructure
Although Vietnam's road transport system has improved significantly over the years, there are still many limitations, especially in remote areas or sections of roads that are under construction or upgrading. Poor roads, potholes or lack of effective drainage systems can slow down transport and cause safety issues.
In addition, traffic congestion in large cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is also a major challenge for truck drivers, especially during rush hours or holidays, when traffic volumes increase dramatically. Traffic congestion not only slows down delivery progress but also increases transport costs due to higher fuel consumption and operating costs.
2.3. Fluctuating fuel costs
Gasoline prices are an important factor that directly affects transport costs
