In recent years, logistics has become one of the fastest-growing sectors in Vietnam, with a stable growth rate of 14–16% per year and continuously increasing demand for human resources. However, a notable reality is that the gap between classroom knowledge and actual business requirements remains quite large. Therefore, training models based on real-world, hands-on case studies (“practical cases”) are becoming an inevitable trend in modern logistics education.
1. Why do logistics students need exposure to real-world situations?
Textbook knowledge does not fully reflect professional practice
Textbooks provide fundamental theoretical foundations such as Incoterms, transportation, supply chains, and warehousing. However:
- Operational processes in Vietnamese logistics companies are flexibly adjusted depending on each shipment, transport route, and customer.
- Many operational steps—such as document checking, declarations on ECUS, E-port, Ecosys software, processing D/O, etc.—are often not described in sufficient detail in textbooks.
- Many graduates still have a vague understanding of what a complete document set includes, or what OPS staff and documentation officers actually do on a daily basis.
As a result, if students only study theory, they will find it difficult to quickly “catch up” with real-world work.
2. Key skills required by logistics enterprises
To meet recruitment requirements, logistics students need to develop the following competency groups:
2.1. Documentation handling skills
Students need to know how to read and analyze:
- Bill of Lading (HBL/MBL)
- Arrival Notice
- Manifest
- Delivery Order (D/O)
- Packing List
- Invoice
- Certificate of Origin (C/O)
- Specialized permits
Many errors (incorrect cargo description, wrong weight, missing information, etc.) can delay customs clearance if staff lack practical skills.
2.2. Customs declaration skills
Enterprises highly value candidates who can:
- Look up HS codes
- Independently open customs declarations on ECUS
- Understand green – yellow – red channels
- Handle situations involving physical inspection
These skills are rarely mastered without exposure to realistic, simulated cases.
2.3. Cost awareness and freight calculation mindset
Logistics is not only about operations but also cost management. Students need to be able to:
- Calculate sea/air/trucking freight
- Analyze surcharges (THC, CIC, CAF, etc.)
- Price logistics services for forwarder customers
- Prepare quotations under different Incoterms conditions
2.4. Technology and data competence
Enterprises are currently using:
- WMS (Warehouse Management Systems)
- TMS (Transportation Management Systems)
- VNSW, E-port, Ecosys, etc.
These tools require students to practice on real or highly realistic simulated data.
3. Benefits of learning logistics through real-world case studies
3.1. Understanding the essence, not rote memorization
For example:
Instead of learning Incoterms as dry theory, students analyze a real shipment that missed its vessel due to late delivery by the seller. Through this, students clearly understand:
- Who is responsible?
- Who bears the costs?
- At what point is risk transferred?
This learning approach ensures knowledge is truly internalized.
3.2. Developing problem-solving skills
Logistics involves many unexpected situations:
- Declarations assigned to the red channel
- Missing documents
- Changes in vessel schedules
- Urgent customer demands
Through practical cases, students learn to analyze causes, select solutions, and make quick decisions.
3.3. Forming professional thinking at an early stage
Simulation activities such as:
- ECUS customs declaration simulations
- Warehouse layout design simulations
- Freight calculation and quotation simulations
- Transportation coordination simulations
Help students visualize their future jobs more clearly and gain confidence during internships and employment.
3.4. Increasing employability immediately after graduation
According to surveys from recruiting enterprises:
- Students trained through real-world cases adapt to work 2–3 times faster
- Make fewer mistakes during the first three months
- Are capable of taking on OPS, Documentation, or Logistics Sales positions
This provides graduates with a significant competitive advantage in the labor market.
4. The role of lecturers and the training environment
A modern logistics program requires:
- Case studies sourced from shipping lines, forwarders, warehouses, ICDs, and logistics centers
- Simulation-based operational classes
- Guest lectures from industry experts
- Student engagement with ports, warehouses, and logistics enterprises
- Integration of real or simulated software: ECUS, WMS, TMS
The combination of academia, industry, and professional expertise creates a practice-oriented training model that meets the standards of next-generation logistics human resources.
Conclusion
In the context of a constantly evolving logistics industry that demands graduates who can “perform immediately,” learning through real-world case studies is no longer an option—it is a necessity. This approach serves as a critical bridge helping students to:
- Master core knowledge
- Develop professional skills
- Confidently handle real-world tasks
- Increase employment opportunities after graduation
Emphasizing practice-oriented training will help cultivate a high-quality logistics workforce, ready to participate in Vietnam’s and the region’s modern supply chains.
References
- Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
- Salinas-Navarro, D. E., Mejia-Argueta, C., Montesinos, L., & Rodríguez-Calvo, E. Z. (2022). Experiential learning for sustainability in supply chain management education. Sustainability, 14(20), 13133. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013133
- Angolia, M. G., & Pagliari, L. R. (2018). Experiential learning for logistics and supply chain management using an SAP ERP software simulation. Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, 16(3), 317–338. https://doi.org/10.1111/dsji.12152
- Malka, S. C., & Austin, L. C. (2024). On the relationship between modes of learning and graduates’ success in the field: The case of a logistics program. The International Journal of Management Education, 22(1), 100903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2024.100903
- Christopher, M. (2016). Logistics & supply chain management (5th ed.). Harlow, UK: Pearson Education.