An analysis of port networks and improvement strategies for port connections in the Ho Chi Minh area

Abstract The southern sector of Vietnam is a key economic region: it has the most dynamic sea transportation in the country. The Ho Chi Minh – Ba Ria Vung Tau (HCM-BRTV) port area has contributed more than 99.24% of the total cargo throughput handled in the southern sector. It is also the most modern and active terminal in Vietnam. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the port connection network and to suggest some improvement strategies in order to promote sea transportation in the HCM-BRVT port area. To achieve this, the social network analysis method was applied. This showed that the HCM-BRVT port was connected with 118 ports all over the world using a complicated network. Additionally, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Hong Kong, and Singapore port were found to be the most influential hub ports in the HCM-BRVT port network. Therefore, the HCM-BRVT port area should build sea route connections with these hub ports to improve its role in the network.