What is an island container depot (ICD)? The latest list of ICDs

Inland Container Depot (ICD) in the context of increasingly expanding international trade and import–export activities, optimizing supply chains and logistics has become a key factor in enhancing business competitiveness. One of the most crucial “links” in the modern logistics system is the Inland Container Depot (ICD). The following article will help you better understand the concept of ICDs, provide the latest list of inland container depots in Vietnam as of 2025 (according to the most recent decision by the Ministry of Construction), and highlight several notable ICDs currently operating in the country.

1. What is an island container depot (ICD)?

ICD (Inland Container Depot), also known as a dry port or inland port, is a container terminal located inland – away from seaports or rivers – that is authorized by customs authorities to handle import and export procedures similar to those at seaports or airports. In other words, an ICD serves as an extended arm of a seaport on land, functioning as a hub for cargo consolidation, customs clearance, container stuffing and unstuffing, as well as the transshipment of goods to and from seaports.

2. Why should businesses choose industrial zones or clusters near ICDs?

An Inland Container Depot (ICD) functions as an extension of a seaport, providing logistics and customs clearance services directly inland — including inspection, customs procedures, temporary storage, and the transportation of containers to and from seaports. Located at strategic intersections of multiple transportation modes, ICDs serve as highly efficient transshipment hubs, optimizing the entire logistics network.

As a result, ICDs enable businesses to streamline their supply chains, shorten customs clearance times, reduce operational costs, and enhance competitiveness. Establishing factories or carrying out customs procedures in industrial zones near ICDs allows companies to make more flexible use of domestic logistics services while helping to ease congestion at seaports.

3. Latest list of ICDs in Vietnam

On March 21, 2025, the Ministry of Construction issued Decision No. 287/QĐ-BXD, announcing the list of 17 Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in Vietnam, replacing Decision No. 320/QĐ-BGTVT dated March 28, 2024, previously issued by the Ministry of Transport regarding the publication of Vietnam’s ICD list.

Specifically, the list of 17 Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in Vietnam includes:

4. Typical inland container depot (ICD) projects in Vietnam

In reality, Vietnam’s most efficient ICD network operates in the Southern region, which handles nearly 80% of the country’s total cargo volume. Thanks to strong connectivity with the inland waterway system, these ICDs play a crucial role in supporting seaports in handling import–export cargo, helping reduce congestion at ports and within urban areas.

Meanwhile, the Northern region shows a lower ICD utilization rate since its container transport market is only about 30% the size of the South. Moreover, seaports in the North still have spare capacity and rarely face congestion, prompting many businesses to prefer direct transport to ports.

Below are some notable ICD projects located in Vietnam’s major industrial development centers by RSL Group:

Tan Cang Que Vo ICD – Bac Ninh

Inaugurated on March 24, 2023, the Tan Cang Que Vo ICD holds a strategic position on National Highway 18, located along the Hanoi – Hai Duong – Quang Ninh – Hai Phong corridor, making it convenient for both road and inland waterway transport. It serves as a key logistics hub connecting Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, and Hanoi to major seaports in the Hai Phong region.

Within a 50 km radius, Tan Cang Que Vo ICD is linked to several major industrial parks such as Que Vo I, II, III; Yen Phong I, II (and expansion); VSIP Bac Ninh; Quang Chau; and Van Trung – all of which host vibrant FDI ecosystems with strong import–export activities.

 Notable ICD Projects in Hai Phong

Hai Phong currently has four major ICDs, all located within industrial zones of the Dinh Vu – Cat Hai Economic Zone, providing businesses with on-site customs and logistics services that significantly save time and transportation costs.

• Tan Cang Hai Phong ICD – located in Minh Phuong Industrial Park
• Dinh Vu – Quang Binh ICD – located in Dinh Vu Industrial Park
• Hoang Thanh ICD – located in Dinh Vu Industrial Park
• Nam Dinh Vu ICD (Phase 1) – located in Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park

Tan Cang – Song Than ICD – Ho Chi Minh City

With an area of 50 hectares, Tan Cang – Song Than ICD is located in the center of Song Than II Industrial Park, acting as a gateway for trade between Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City. It connects seamlessly to key highways – National Highways 1, 13, and 14, and the Trans-Asia Road – as well as nearby industrial and export processing zones across Binh Duong and the Southeast region.

Surrounded by major industrial parks such as Song Than and VSIP, the ICD facilitates efficient cargo distribution to Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Dong Nai, and supports export activities through the Cat Lai and Cai Mep seaports. This is one of the oldest and most important ICDs in southern Vietnam, playing a central role in the region’s logistics network.

Above RSL Group has provided readers with information about island container depot (ICD). If you have any questions, please contact our hotline immediately for answers. See more articles here.

—————–