Automation Developments in Industrial Intralogistics in Vietnam

Introduction

Vietnam's warehousing sector is not only expanding in size, but also rapidly becoming more complex. Rapid growth of intralogistics technologies such as carton and tote storage and retrieval systems, intelligent layouts, automation, and warehouse robotics to improve internal material transfer is one of the most transformational changes in our sector. In January 2024, Viettel Post became the first logistics company in Vietnam to implement fully automated robotic parcel sortation technology in its storage and distribution center in Hanoi.

These technologies are not current warehousing functions, but essential elements to progress resilient, technology-driven supply chains in Vietnam's booming industrial sectors. With e-commerce and manufacturing sectors scaling rapidly, firms are deploying AS/RS (automated storage and retrieval system), conveyor for transport, modular shelving, and warehouse management systems. These intralogistics capabilities reduce reliance on labor, increase storage volume and density, and increase the moving of goods with product detail being able to track in real time.

The Vietnamese government’s continued investment in industrial parks and logistics hubs, especially in provinces like Bình Dương, Bắc Ninh, and Đồng Nai, creates fertile ground for the deployment of such systems. Moreover, rising labor costs and increasing land utilization pressure make smart storage planning and automation not just optional, but strategic.

This emerging segment is reshaping how companies plan fulfillment centers, design vertical storage layouts, and manage throughput. In parallel, global vendors and local integrators are competing to offer scalable, climate-controlled, and AI-supported storage solutions tailored to Vietnam’s economic zones.

To explore the macro view, trends, and market forecasts, refer to the Vietnam Warehousing Market

Smart Infrastructure Is Driving Operational Agility

Intralogistics involves the internal management of material flow from receiving to storage, picking, packing, and dispatch within warehouses or manufacturing sites. In Vietnam, large players in electronics assembly, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and third-party logistics (3PLs) are leading adopters.

Technologies like Pick-to-Light systems, mobile shelving units, and IoT-based pallet tracking are significantly enhancing order accuracy and inventory visibility. Integration with ERP and WMS platforms enables predictive restocking and inventory forecasting, critical in avoiding overstocking or stockouts during seasonal peaks.

Companies are also leveraging collaborative mobile robots (cobots) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to reduce internal transport time and mitigate workforce shortages. In urban fulfillment centers, vertical racking systems and dynamic slotting algorithms are improving last-mile readiness and SKU accessibility.

There is also rising adoption of mid-sized warehouses retrofitting legacy infrastructure with semi-automated conveyor lines, voice-picking systems, and temperature-regulated smart storage units, particularly in cold chain logistics for pharmaceuticals and perishables. The smart intralogistics sector is positioned as a natural complement to the traditional warehousing ecosystem, enabling higher throughput without expanding footprint, making it a key enabler in Vietnam’s industrial and retail transformation.

Table of Contents

1. Intralogistics Scope and Market Differentiation
2. Automation Trends in Vietnamese Industrial Hubs
3. Smart Shelving and Modular Storage Solutions
4. Role of Robotics in Intralogistics Operations
5. WMS Integration with IoT and ERP Systems
6. Pick-to-Light, AGVs, and Real-Time Inventory Tech
7. Adoption Trends in Electronics, FMCG, and 3PLs
8. Infrastructure Investments in Industrial Parks
9. Cold Chain & Pharma Storage Modernization
10. Outlook: Autonomous Intralogistics and Edge AI

Related Resources

Indonesia Cold Chain Logistics Market

Supply Chain Management Software Market

Asia Pacific Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market

Industry 4.0 Market