Last-mile delivery in densely populated urban areas full of narrow alleys is already a difficult challenge, and it becomes even harder when the goods are heavy or bulky. While standard small-parcel delivery needs only about 8-10 delivery staff to handle 1,000 orders a day, that number can rise to 20-25 people to handle the same volume of heavy orders — illustrating the vast difference in complexity and operating cost.
Strategies for Efficient Last-Mile Delivery
Vans as mobile warehouses: instead of returning to the depot multiple times a day, some operators load a van with all the goods needed for an entire route upfront, significantly cutting unnecessary travel distance.
Flexible route splitting: in areas with many narrow alleys, splitting delivery routes and allocating staff based on each area’s characteristics improves on-time delivery rates.
Reserve capacity buffer: instead of maximizing the number of orders assigned per delivery staff member, keeping a buffer (for example, around 40 orders instead of a maximum of 50) allows better handling of unplanned situations.
According to Wikipedia’s entry on the last mile in transportation, the final delivery leg typically accounts for the largest share of cost in the entire shipping chain — especially in densely populated urban areas like Vietnam’s.
Lessons for Businesses Needing Inner-City Last-Mile Delivery
For businesses selling bulky products (furniture, home appliances, construction materials), choosing a logistics partner with real operating experience in densely populated urban areas full of narrow alleys is critical to ensuring high on-time delivery rates and limiting costs from delayed or failed deliveries.
How International Shippers Can Plan for Last-Mile Delivery in Vietnam
Foreign manufacturers and e-commerce brands shipping heavy or oversized goods into Vietnam often underestimate how much last-mile delivery costs can vary between provinces. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi’s old quarters, in particular, are full of alleys under 2.5 meters wide, where standard delivery trucks cannot pass and goods must be transferred to smaller vehicles or handled manually for the final stretch.
When requesting freight quotes, international shippers should ask logistics partners for a clear breakdown of last-mile delivery fees separate from long-haul or ocean freight charges. This transparency helps buyers compare providers accurately and avoid unexpected surcharges once cargo reaches its final urban destination.
Route density mapping is another factor international logistics buyers should evaluate. Providers that pre-map alley widths, one-way traffic restrictions, and delivery time windows before dispatch tend to complete last-mile delivery for heavy goods faster and with fewer failed attempts than those relying on real-time navigation apps alone, which are frequently unreliable in Vietnam’s older urban districts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Last-Mile Delivery for Heavy Goods
What counts as “heavy goods” for last-mile delivery purposes? Furniture, home appliances, construction materials, and industrial equipment typically qualify, since they require more staff, larger vehicles, or specialized handling than standard parcels.
Why is last-mile delivery more expensive in Vietnam’s inner cities? Narrow alleys, motorbike traffic, and limited parking force logistics operators to use smaller vehicles and more staff per shipment, which raises the cost per order compared to suburban or rural deliveries.
How far in advance should last-mile delivery be scheduled for bulky imports? Most logistics providers recommend booking last-mile delivery slots at least 48 hours before cargo clears customs, giving dispatch teams time to assign the right vehicle size and staff count for the destination alley.
Can Connect Global handle last-mile delivery for import shipments? Yes — Connect Global plans last-mile delivery routes as part of its end-to-end logistics solutions, so imported cargo can move from port to final destination without switching providers.
As part of its Value-added Services, Connect Global focuses on building a flexible last-mile delivery process suited to Vietnam’s urban characteristics, ensuring customer goods arrive at the right place, on time, wherever they’re headed. Contact our consulting team for a free assessment.
