We are living in a particularly historical period and have witnessed many global socio-economic events such as the Covid-19 pandemic, global climate change and Russian’s military campaigns in Ukraine... These events had a negative influence on the world economy and Vietnam, however they highlighted the role and importance of the logistics in the economic and social life around the world.

Considered the "backbone" of an economy, logistics plays a highly important role in connecting, supporting and promoting socio-economic development. Ensuring the role and operation of the "backbone" of the world economy and the domestic economy to meet the increasing demands of the market is urgent for logistics.

In Vietnam, according to the research conducted the Ministry of Industry and Trade in 2021, the operational capacity index of the logistics increased and reached 3.34 points compared to 3.27 points in 2018. Vietnam also ranked in the Top 10 emerging market logistics index with a high growth rate of 14-16% in a year. However, besides the results, the logistics still has many limitations and weaknesses. It can be clearly seen that human resources in the logistics are weak and insufficient, only meeting 10% of the market demand and failing to keep up with the world logistics.

With a traditional and modern approach, this book presents basic theories on managing logistics activities in a systematic way. The book introduces how logistics is managed by businesses from through introducing main logistics activities including customer service, logistics information system, storage, warehousing, transportation and other services. The book contributes to improving the knowledge and skills in logistics for learners.

Logistics is an important subject in the BA program in International Economics and closely connected with other subjects such as: International Payments, Transport and Insurance in Trade. International trade, Global Purchasing and Sourcing Management. Therefore, the book is compiled to target learners who are 2nd and 3rd year students majoring in International Economics, providing them with basic knowledge, but not overlapping with other subjects of 3-credits and courses of 45-periods.

The book consists of 7 chapters following the structure:

• Openings provide an overview of the chapters.
• Main contents provide the necessary concepts and knowledge of the chapters.
• Case studies introduce typical examples, application results...
• Review questions emphasize main ideas, consolidate and test learners' knowledge of each chapter.

Specifically, 7 chapters can be summarized as follows:

Chapter 1 presents the development of logistics over stages, emphasizing the role and importance of logistics for businesses in the supply chain, and pointing out the characteristics of logistics in some specific fields through classification. The classification also shows the position, importance and influence of logistics activities in many fields.

Chapter 2 presents the concept and goals of logistics management for businesses. Logistics management are introduced through main logistics activities including customer service, logistics information system, storage, warehousing, transportation, and other services.

Chapter 3 presents the structure and application of information systems in logistics, along with accompanying smart technology solutions that help businesses automate processes to optimize logistics activities.

Chapter 4 presents the most basic theoretical knowledge about reserve management activities including: concepts and functions, recognition and distinction of types of reserves that exist in the market.

Chapter 5 presents knowledge about the role, functions and basic activities of warehouses, as well as introducing types of warehouses serving business, import and export.

Chapter 6 presents the role of transportation, ways of classifying transportation, based on economic properties, objects of transportation, techniques for organizing the transportation of goods, ways to organize transportation, and methods of transportation…

Chapter 7 presents basic and fundamental knowledge in import and export freight forwarding activities, providing learners with the most general import and export freight forwarding processes, so that they can associate with the other subject of the training program.