Since Y2K, the number of people travelling by road in the country has almost tripled from 620 million passengers to a staggering 1.76 billion passengers. But that's not the only reason; freight traffic by road has also tripled from 7969.9 million tonnes per kilometer to 31587.2 million tonnes per kilometer, a surge of nearly 400%.
This significant increase can be put down to the proliferation of automobile ownership. By November 2011, nearly 100,000 vehicles were sold in Vietnam, down only 1% over the same period last year, with cars and multipurpose vehicles sales increasing 23.9% and 4% respectively.
- Vietnamese Vehicle sales till November 2011
| Vehicle Type | North | China | Nam | Total |
| Cars | 1,727 1.727 | 308 308 | 1,155 1.155 | 3,190 3.190 |
| Vehicle cross-over | - - | - - | - - | - - |
| Multipurpose vehicle MPV | 237 237 | 65 65 | 329 329 | 631 631 |
| Multipurpose vehicle SUV | 505 505 | 109 109 | 453 453 | 1,067 1.067 |
| Minibus Truck, Bus | 141 141 | 49 49 | 189 189 | 379 379 |
| Truck, Pick-up & Van | 1,195 1.195 | 468 468 | 1,577 1.577 | 3,240 3.240 |
| Xe khac Another vehicle | - - | 1:00 AM | 2 2 | 3 3 |
| Total | 3,805 3.805 | 1,000 1.000 | 3,705 3.705 | 8,773 (1) 8,773 (1) |
| Bus Chassis | 5 5 | - - | 24 24 | 29 29 |
Source: Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association
With regards to foreign investment, Lieven Jacquemyn, Managing Director of Plektics, believes that on a macro level, Vietnam has painted a very promising picture over the last decade.
"Strong fundamentals supporting foreign investment interest are the stable political system, political support and a consistent rapid economic growth. During the 2008 Financial Crisis and its aftermath, Vietnam's Real Estate and Stock Market have suffered; however, in hindsight it probably triggered an overdue correction bringing things back to reality and perspective," he said.
"Many foreign investors still regard Vietnam as a prime investment destination but are at the same time expecting the government to further develop and enhance its infrastructure to support and advance economic growth; especially in the areas of transportation and energy," added Jacquemyn.
Having worked closely with Vietnam's Ministry of Transportation (MOT), IQPC is proud to announce Transport Infrastructure Vietnam 2012.
