Shipway is a prime example of how technology can be applied to restructure the traditional freight transport sector in Vietnam. Founded in 2019 by CEO Duong Minh Hung under the sponsorship of Dai Hung Investment and Development Co., Ltd., Shipway was born from a simple yet pressing question: why are over one million trucks operating across Vietnam, but up to 70% of them frequently return empty after each delivery? At the same time, hundreds of thousands of businesses and small traders continue to struggle daily in search of reliable transport services.
This challenge highlights a significant imbalance in Vietnam’s logistics ecosystem—one where supply and demand are severely misaligned. While existing logistics platforms primarily cater to large enterprises or focus on isolated segments of the supply chain, Shipway takes a more holistic approach. Through its mobile application, Shipway connects shippers directly with truck drivers within just 3 to 6 minutes. More than just a “connector,” the app integrates an automated algorithm that streamlines vehicle-matching and trip scheduling, empowering senders to fully manage their logistics process—from vehicle search and route planning to payment.
From a technological standpoint, Shipway’s initial MVP was designed as a matching platform between those needing freight services and available trucks. While the company has not disclosed its full tech stack, support from Amazon Web Services (AWS) suggests a cloud-based infrastructure, ensuring scalable operations and fast access across devices. Shipway’s core technology lies not only in real-time matching but also in journey data analysis, route optimization, and enhanced utilization of trucking capacity. These advancements not only help reduce logistics costs but also cut down on the number of empty truck journeys, thereby lowering carbon emissions in the transport sector.
Throughout its development, Shipway has actively participated in various startup support programs within the ecosystem. At the Da Nang Business Incubator (Song Han Incubator), the founding team had the opportunity to refine their business model, outline a clear growth roadmap, and pilot their product locally. Notably, Shipway made its mark by winning Second Prize at the 2019 Central and Central Highlands Techfest, followed by another Second Prize at the Get in the Ring competition and a spot in the Top 10 of TECHFEST Vietnam 2019. These achievements not only validated the feasibility of the business model but also opened access to vital resources such as angel investors, notably AWS and a private investor.
What stands out is Shipway’s decision to focus on a traditionally underserved segment of the market—small and medium-sized enterprises, individual truck owners, and small traders—groups often left behind in the digital transformation process. By simplifying technology and emphasizing a user-friendly experience, Shipway is helping to build a more open, transparent, and cost-efficient logistics ecosystem for both supply and demand sides.
Shipway is not only gradually transforming Vietnam’s freight transport landscape but also offering a practical blueprint for tech startups in traditional industries: use technology to create value that is tangible, accessible, and easy to scale among small business communities. If it can sustain its growth momentum and expand its market reach, Shipway has the potential to become a key intermediary logistics platform—an infrastructure cornerstone—for Vietnam’s road transport market in the near future.
