Last-mile delivery in Vietnam: couriers, cost per drop and service promises
How last-mile delivery works in Vietnam, what drives cost per drop, and how to set a service promise you can keep.
8 min read · Updated 13 August 2026
Market profile
The fastest structural shift in the region: a young population moving from traditional trade to modern retail and online buying at speed.
- Capital
- Hanoi
- Population
- around 100 million
- Currency
- Vietnamese dong (VND)
- Leading channel
- Traditional trade (40%)
- Cash on delivery
- 27% of online orders
- Lead region
- Ho Chi Minh City (38%)
Retail value by channel
- Traditional trade 40%
- Modern trade and malls 33%
- E-commerce 22%
- Other 5%
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Hanoi
- Da Nang
- Hai Phong
- Can Tho
The last mile is where online retail either makes money or quietly loses it. In Vietnam, motorbike delivery with very low unit costs in the two main cities.
North-south distance means two distribution centres rather than one national hub, which is why national one-size promises fail here more often than they do in single-landmass markets.
How delivery works
Motorbike delivery with very low unit costs in the two main cities. North-south distance means two distribution centres rather than one national hub.
- Use at least two couriers per region so one failure does not stop the channel
- Plan for cash on delivery at around 27% of orders, including remittance timing
- Address quality drives failed deliveries; validate at checkout, not at dispatch
- Publish a promise per region rather than a single national one
Cost per drop
Cost per drop is a density problem. Where drop density is high the economics work at low order values; where routes are long, the minimum profitable basket rises quickly.
- Ho Chi Minh City38%
- Hanoi28%
- Da Nang and central15%
- Other provinces19%
Indicative regional share of modern retail sales, used here as a proxy for drop density.
Returns and failed deliveries
| Driver | Practical control |
|---|---|
| Cash on delivery refusals | Confirm orders by message before dispatch |
| Address errors | Validated address capture and saved addresses |
| Delivery attempts | Agreed pickup points and locker options where available |
| Damage in transit | Packaging specification per category, audited quarterly |
Setting the promise
A promise you keep 95% of the time is worth more than a faster promise you keep 70% of the time. Set it from measured performance in Ho Chi Minh City first, then extend outward as data allows.
Key takeaways
- North-south distance means two distribution centres rather than one national hub.
- Regional promises beat national promises in this market.
- Cash on delivery at 27% of orders makes confirmation before dispatch worth the effort.
- Reliability compounds; speed alone does not.
Questions & Answers
How long does delivery take in Vietnam?
Motorbike delivery with very low unit costs in the two main cities in main urban areas; outer regions need a longer, separately stated promise.
How many couriers should a retailer use?
At least two per region, with volume allocated on measured performance rather than headline price.
What is the biggest driver of failed deliveries?
Cash-on-delivery refusals and address quality. Both are controllable before dispatch.
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Written by
Retail News Asia Research Desk
Country data, market sizing and channel analysis
Researched, written and fact-checked by our newsroom. Last reviewed 13 August 2026. Meet the editorial team.
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