Saigon Port, a State-onwed company, has been the leader in Vietnam Seaport System for many years. However, along with the economic reform process in Vietnam, the company is facing the question of how to meet the high demand for cargoes transpo1ted, and the fierce competitive in the Southern region of Vietnam. Thus, designing a strategic approach for the port development is becoming very necessary and crucial. This study deals with designing the development strategy for Saigon Port. Following the path of conceptual framework, an exhaustive review of available literature together with a series of individual in-depth interviews were undertaken to gather the necessary data for the strategic analysis process. By an external environment analysis that was relied on scanning the economic potential of Southern region in general, its driving power economic region and the port industry, the opportunities and tlll'eats for Saigon Port were identified. Besides, all aspects related to the operation of the port such as location, inland transportation system, teclmology, human resources, marketing activities, etc., were examined to reveal its strengths and weaknesses. The focus differentiation strategy is recommended as the port is facing a fast changing environment in Southern region. To support this strategy, the port should implement the improvement in human resources management, marketing activities, price-setting policy, etc.

A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration, School of Management

Research Studies Project Report (M. B.A.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2000