Vietnam officially receives the rights to host the FIATA World Congress 2025

The representative of Vietnam, VLA, has received the rights to host the FIATA World Congress 2025 in Hanoi, from October 6 to October 10, 2025.

At the 2024 FIATA World Congress (FWC) in Panama, the representative of Vietnam, the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), received the rights to host the FWC 2025 in Hanoi, from October 6 to October 10, 2025.

The closing ceremony of the FWC 2024 was held in Panama

The VLA won the bid to host the FWC 2025 starting in 2017. After many efforts and disruptions due to COVID-19, VLA officially secured the rights to host FWC 2025 at the FWC 2022 held in South Korea. Following this honor, VLA quickly collaborated with relevant ministries and agencies to prepare for the event.

Notably, the organization of FWC 2025 has received attention and support from the government and local ministries. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with the FIATA and VLA delegations twice at the government headquarters in 2023 and 2024, reaffirming the strong support of the Vietnamese government for the FWC 2025 event. Leaders from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Transport, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as many ministries and localities, have also met with FIATA and VLA leaders to express their support for successfully and effectively organizing the event in Hanoi.

The leaders of VLA received the rights to host from the FWC 2024 host country, Panama

In his speech at the ceremony, Mr. Dao Trong Khoa, President of VLA and Head of the Vietnamese Delegation at FWC 2024, invited delegates to attend FWC 2025 and experience Vietnam’s dynamic and rapidly developing economy.

With a projected GDP growth rate of over 6% in 2024 and its strategic position, Vietnam serves as the ‘gateway’ to the Indian Ocean and Pacific region. Due to its crucial role in global trade, Vietnam is expected to become a logistics and trade hub for the region and the world.

With 19 free trade agreements signed and an anticipated export-import growth rate exceeding 15% in the coming year, Vietnam is deeply integrating into the global economy. This trade expansion is supported by Vietnam’s logistics sector, which comprises over 45,000 companies playing a vital role in connecting Vietnam with the world.

Mr. Dao Trong Khoa, President of VLA and Head of the Vietnamese Delegation at FWC 2024, invited delegates to attend FWC 2025

‘Our commitment to developing infrastructure is demonstrated by the success of Cai Mep Port, ranked 7th among the most efficient container ports in the world in 2023. Vietnam’s strong logistics ecosystem complements our position as a leading manufacturing hub, with global giants like Samsung, LG, Intel, and Foxconn choosing Vietnam as their main operational base,’ emphasized the VLA President.

In addition to achievements in logistics, Mr. Dao Trong Khoa highlighted that Vietnam is a leading country in agricultural exports, including several billion-dollar products like coffee and seafood.

Furthermore, introducing another attractive aspect of Vietnam, the VLA President shared that Vietnam is a country of natural beauty, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences.

Vietnam promises to be an exciting destination, not only for investment connections but also for wonderful experiences.

“You will be amazed by the breathtaking sunrise over Ha Long Bay, one of the natural wonders of the world, or explore the inspiring depths of Son Doong Cave, where the boundary between sky and earth seems to blur. You will find that Vietnam offers unparalleled experiences. Our vibrant cities are full of energy, culture, and history. Take the time to explore our capital, Hanoi, a thousand-year-old city, where you can savor our world-renowned cuisine, like ‘Bun Cha,’ which has welcomed global icons such as Donald Trump and Joe Biden—a reminder of the warmth and openness with which we greet the world”, emphasized the VLA President.

With the theme ‘green logistics and rapid adaptation,’ FWC 2025 will be held from October 6 to October 10, 2025, featuring important discussions on the future of the logistics industry in a world increasingly aware of its environmental responsibilities.

“Sustainability is a core priority for Vietnam. Our commitment to a net-zero future was reflected in our pledge at COP26, and we continue to strive for a green and sustainable economy. This aligns perfectly with the theme of FWC 2025, as we work to advance the logistics sector toward a more sustainable and responsible future. Vietnam is not only a destination for logistics businesses; it is a place where opportunities flourish, cultures connect, and a brighter, more sustainable future is built”, the VLA President emphasized, expressing a desire to welcome businesses to Hanoi.

The Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA) and various enterprises have officially received the rights to host FWC 2025 in Hanoi

The newly awarded scepter has an intriguing and unique history. Mr. Ngo Khac Le, Deputy General Secretary of VLA, shared insights from historical documents. In 2008, during the opening of the FWC in Vancouver, participants heard from the leader of the Haida tribe, one of Canada’s Indigenous groups on the west coast. He spoke about a long-standing tradition of the tribe, which involves having a talking stick during gatherings to signify the right to speak. The person holding the stick has the sole right to speak, and once they finish, the stick is passed to the next speaker. Each of these sticks is a unique piece of handcrafted art, with no two being alike.

To express goodwill towards FIATA, the Haida tribe gifted a talking stick to symbolize the right to speak. This scepter was first presented and used at the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations Congress in 2008 (FWC 2008). Unfortunately, a few years later, before FWC 2013 in Singapore, this scepter was lost and presumed stolen.

When the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) learned of this, they promised to provide a replica of the scepter. CIFFA representatives found a local shop that specialized in crafting such scepters and discovered a handcrafted replica available for purchase.

After buying it, CIFFA retained ownership of the replica until FWC 2023, when Mr. Chris Gillespie, a former FIATA President (1999-2001), presented a new scepter to then FIATA President Dr. Ivan Petrov during a symbolic handover at the Extended Board Welcome Reception in Brussels. Thus, from 2013 to 2023, another scepter was used to replace the lost original.

Regarding the ceremonial tradition, speakers typically leave the scepter on the podium after their presentations, symbolically passing it to the next host of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations Congress.

This tradition continues at the closing ceremony of each FWC, where the master of ceremonies explains the significance of the traditional scepter.

The new talking stick from CIFFA, sourced from the tribe, is now the official scepter of FIATA, and this tradition will be upheld. The scepter used from 2013 to 2023 has been returned to FIATA’s headquarters for preservation as a memento.

Source: Tạp Chí Diễn Đàn Doanh nghiệp