LogiChain – From a Student Competition to a Foundation for the Logistics Industry’s Development

ExtendMax – 23/10/2025 – When looking at the broader picture of supply chains and logistics in Vietnam today, it becomes clear that we are standing at a pivotal turning point: transitioning from purely procedural operations to a model driven by strategic thinking, legal compliance, technology integration, and lean optimization. The LogiChain competition has emerged not merely as an event for students passionate about logistics and supply chains, but as a milestone for the entire industry — a mirror for reflection and a launchpad for young talents to prepare for a more professional future.

Origin and Mission of LogiChain

LogiChain is an annual case study competition on supply chain management, initiated by the Institute of Commerce and International Economics under the National Economics University (NEU) in collaboration with the Logistics and Supply Chain Club (LSC-NEU). Since its inception, it has marked an important milestone in the development of Vietnam’s logistics sector. Professionally, the competition is supported by the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA) and the Vietnam Logistics Human Resources Development Association (VALOMA), with the participation and mentorship of judges and guest experts from leading global corporations.

From its very first season in 2021, LogiChain positioned itself not as a conventional academic contest, but as a platform to nurture the next generation of logistics professionals ready for real-world operations. Over the years, the competition has evolved and expanded both in scale and content, refusing to stay confined within the bounds of “academic themes.” For example, LogiChain 2022 was recognized as “a solid bridge between logistics enterprises and Vietnam’s young workforce,” while LogiChain 2024, themed “FMCG Supply Chain,” challenged students to analyze end-to-end processes from production to inventory and distribution in the fast-moving consumer goods industry.

What makes LogiChain truly stand out is its emphasis on practical experience. Beyond theory, students are immersed in real-world case studies — identifying business problems, debating solutions, defending their perspectives, and proposing actionable strategies. As a result, LogiChain has become a foundational building block in preparing Vietnam’s logistics workforce: developing professionals who not only know how to operate systems but also how to design, optimize, comply, and innovate within them.

Why LogiChain Matters in Today’s Context

Vietnam’s logistics and supply chain industry is now standing at a crossroads — filled with both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, globalization is deepening Vietnam’s role in global value chains across production, export, transport, warehousing, and distribution. On the other hand, the industry faces mounting hurdles: legal barriers, import-export regulations, certification and inspection complexities, rising operational costs, and the growing demand for technological and data-driven efficiency.

In such a landscape, LogiChain becomes far more than a competition. It is a practical training ground that allows students to understand what the logistics sector truly needs and how businesses operate in real life — preparing themselves for professional readiness rather than just academic proficiency.

Participants in LogiChain are not merely writing reports; they are sharpening strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, teamwork, and debate skills — all crucial competencies for future leaders in logistics. Graduates who have gone through the LogiChain experience enter the industry with a real understanding of supply chain dynamics, eliminating the long “probation” learning curve that most fresh hires face.

The Triangular Value: Academia – Business – Students

At its core, LogiChain embodies connection — bridging universities with enterprises, theory with practice, and students with industry experts. Each season of the competition receives support and sponsorship from major logistics associations and leading corporations, ensuring that contestants deal with real business problems, not theoretical simulations.

The competition’s scale continues to grow impressively. In 2024 alone, LogiChain attracted over 1,000 participants from multiple universities nationwide, signaling its transformation from a niche academic contest into a national platform for developing Vietnam’s future logistics workforce. This evolution reflects a consistent direction: expanding both in impact and influence, shaping the talent pipeline for the country’s logistics and supply chain sector.

Looking Back to Move Forward

Tracing LogiChain’s journey reveals a clear trajectory of progress. The early seasons laid the groundwork; by 2022, the competition had strengthened its academic–enterprise bridge. In 2024, the theme “FMCG Supply Chain” introduced complex, real-world challenges that required end-to-end supply chain analysis — from production and inventory to retail distribution.

Now, LogiChain 2025 marks another leap forward with its theme “Lean Supply Chain in Automotive Industry.” The focus on the automotive sector is intentional and visionary. Automotive manufacturing represents one of the most intricate global supply networks — demanding agility, precision, technology integration, and rigorous legal compliance at every stage, from type approval certification for components, vehicle testing, international transportation, to market distribution.

By placing students in this context, LogiChain challenges them to move beyond the basic question of “how to move goods” to the strategic questions of “how to design operations,” “measure efficiency,” “anticipate risk,” and “ensure compliance.”

The choice of the automotive theme also aligns with Vietnam’s national vision: becoming a regional hub for high-value manufacturing and vehicle exports in the near future. Training a workforce that can understand, design, and optimize such complex supply chains is not only essential for the industry — it is strategic for the country’s economic future.

ExtendMax Accompanies LogiChain 2025

Along this journey, a remarkable milestone is the partnership between ExtendMax and LogiChain 2025. With many years of experience in the international market, ExtendMax has established a distinctive integrated model of technology – legal compliance – and supply chain, actively participating in the supply networks of leading global ICT manufacturers such as IBM, Cisco, and Arista.

ExtendMax’s presence delivers a powerful message: modern logistics is not merely about operations — legal compliance is a crucial factor to ensure supply chain continuity and resilience. Through its involvement, ExtendMax offers students an authentic look into how a real-world enterprise functions — one that operates with depth, precision, and a strong compliance foundation — exactly the kind of model the industry needs today.

This collaboration stands as clear evidence that LogiChain is not detached from businesses but deeply connected to real-world supply chain operations. It also serves as a message to all participating teams: theoretical knowledge alone is not enough. To become a true logistics professional, one must understand how businesses operate in practice, and develop not only an operational mindset but also a compliance-oriented one.

Vietnam’s Logistics Workforce in the Next Decade

Looking beyond the scope of a student competition, LogiChain is steadily becoming a pillar in the long-term development of Vietnam’s logistics industry. Just a decade ago, logistics and supply chain management in the country remained relatively underdeveloped — a field often driven by experience rather than structured knowledge. Most professionals learned through practice, lacking systemic thinking and technological application. As a result, many companies had to retrain their new hires, consuming time and resources while slowing down growth.

Today, however, if each season of LogiChain continues to produce cohorts of students with a strong understanding of supply chain operations, a solid foundation in compliance, a digital mindset, and an innovative spirit, then within just a few years, the landscape of Vietnam’s logistics workforce will be fundamentally transformed. Businesses will no longer need to “retrain” employees from scratch. Instead, they will be able to recruit young professionals who are ready to integrate seamlessly — individuals who understand the law, leverage technology, and operate efficiently from day one.

Looking toward 2030, as Vietnam strengthens its position as a regional manufacturing and export hub, and as global corporations seek new destinations beyond China, a high-quality logistics workforce will become a strategic national advantage. Professionals who are well-trained, who understand both international markets and Vietnam’s regulatory framework, will form the backbone of the country’s ascent in global value chains.

In that vision, LogiChain is far more than a competition — it is a foundation for shaping a new generation of logistics professionals, equipped with supply chain thinking, operational excellence, and a spirit of continuous innovation.

Encouragement for Students, Businesses, and Logistics Industry

For students, LogiChain is a precious opportunity to bridge the gap between theory and practice. It should not be seen merely as a contest to win awards, but as the first step toward a professional career in logistics. Use this chance to learn from businesses, listen to industry experts, and tackle real-world challenges. By doing so, you won’t just “know how to do things” — you’ll understand why they must be done that way.

For businesses, LogiChain serves as an open gateway to the future workforce. Outstanding teams represent individuals with systemic thinking, analytical ability, and creative problem-solving — precisely the qualities every logistics enterprise seeks. Partnering with LogiChain is not only a gesture of corporate social responsibility but also a long-term investment in human capital, allowing companies to proactively cultivate the next generation of logistics leaders.

For the entire logistics sector in Vietnam, LogiChain symbolizes transformation. From a time when the industry struggled with a shortage of qualified professionals, it is now moving toward a phase of proactive capability building — nurturing a workforce that understands legal compliance, technology, and lean operational models. The growing influence of programs like LogiChain will help shape a new generation of logistics experts — those who can propel Vietnam to become a regional hub for supply chain excellence in the Asia-Pacific.

Human resources are the backbone of modern trade. From a long-term perspective, LogiChain is not just an educational initiative — it is a force shaping the future of Vietnam’s economy within the global value chain.

As we look ahead to the 2025 season of LogiChain, themed “Lean Supply Chain in Automotive Industry”, with the partnership of ExtendMax, it is clear that this is not the end but another milestone in a long journey. The competition is not merely for today; it is for the years to come — for a stronger, more professional, and more globally competitive Vietnamese logistics and supply chain industry.

We are still at the starting point, but with a clear vision, the right strategy, and a serious commitment to action, LogiChain will evolve beyond a student competition to become a true launchpad for Vietnam’s logistics and supply chain talent. Let us look forward together — preparing well today to seize tomorrow’s opportunities. With foresight and expertise, leaders and professionals across the sector have a pivotal role to play in this transformation — and it is time to embrace that responsibility.