Lam Dong Looks to Major Investment Projects to Drive Growth

Major investors take center stage

Lam Dong’s economy has gained significant momentum in early 2026, driven by a surge in capital inflows. Underscoring this trend, the provincial People’s Committee approved two major bauxite projects in January, marking a strategic milestone for the region’s industrial development.

These include the expansion and capacity upgrade of the Nhan Co Alumina Plant and the Lam Dong Bauxite–Aluminum Complex, both invested by Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group, with a combined investment of nearly 60,000 billion VND.

The Nhan Co Alumina Plant expansion project, located in Nhan Co and Kien Duc communes, has a total investment of about 29,986 billion VND. The project involves building a new alumina production line with an annual capacity of 1.2 million tonnes, covering a construction area of 870 hectares.

Designed to yield alumina meeting international quality standards, the project is geared towards serving both export and domestic markets. With an operational lifespan of 30 years, the facility is slated to commence commercial operations by the turn of the decade.

Meanwhile, the expansion and capacity upgrade of the Lam Dong Bauxite–Aluminum Complex in Bao Lam 1 Commune carries a total investment of approximately 29,869 billion VND. The project includes a second alumina production line with a capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per year, built on an area of 20.79 hectares. Construction is scheduled from the second quarter of 2025 to the end of the third quarter of 2030, with operations expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2030.

These are assessed as the largest investment projects ever undertaken in Lam Dong, reflecting the province’s strong efforts in improving the investment environment. The investment policy approvals are the result of close, responsible and effective coordination between Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group and Lam Dong’s departments, sectors and local authorities.

Following the approvals, Mr Vu Anh Tuan, General Director of Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group, said that once operational, the two projects would raise the group’s total alumina output to 4 million tonnes per year—double its current capacity. The projects are expected to contribute around 4,000 billion VND annually to the state budget and create jobs for about 3,000 local and Central Highlands workers.

“We are committed to mobilizing maximum resources to ensure the timely implementation of these projects while strictly adhering to investment, construction and environmental standards. The group will create jobs, improve workers’ livelihoods and contribute to the local budget,” Tuan said.

Clearing bottlenecks to unlock resources

In 2026, Lam Dong has set a target of achieving double-digit GRDP growth. To reach this goal, investment attraction has become a top priority, with the province taking decisive action to advance projects already approved. Several additional projects are expected to officially commence construction in the first quarter of 2026.

Mr. Ho Van Muoi, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Lam Dong People’s Committee, said that beyond the projects already approved, many other large-scale investments are currently in the final stages of completing procedures and documentation. He noted that in the first quarter of 2026, the province is expected to approve investment policies for two more major projects, which will be able to commence operations immediately without further delays—sending positive signals for investment attraction in 2026.

To further boost investment inflows, Lam Dong is prioritizing the removal of administrative and legal hurdles, particularly for non-budget investments. The province currently has 359 non-budget projects encountering difficulties, with total registered capital of 245,000 billion VND. To address these issues, the provincial People’s Committee established six task forces, each led by a vice chairman. These task forces have actively held meetings and conducted on-site inspections to review and resolve project bottlenecks.

The task forces have categorized the issues by sector and assigned responsibilities to relevant departments and localities. So far, the Department of Finance has received reports from 232 out of 359 investors, and difficulties have been resolved for 22 projects.

Chairman Ho Van Muoi emphasized that hundreds of projects with substantial investment capital have entered the market, and removing obstacles for these projects would help unlock a massive pool of resources that has long remained stagnant.

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Resolving business hurdles is an urgent priority. Every department and local authority must immediately abolish the ‘ask–give’ mechanism. The government must proactively engage with businesses to offer solutions, rather than waiting for them to seek help. Lam Dong is committed to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the business community, ensuring that whenever support is needed, the government is present, and whenever difficulties arise, the government steps in

Comrade Ho Van Muoi, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Lam Dong People’s Committee

In the coming period, Lam Dong provincial leaders will hold meetings with investors to directly discuss and resolve outstanding issues. This approach reflects the province’s openness and willingness to listen, helping projects move forward and unlock resources—thereby creating momentum for Lam Dong to achieve its double-digit GRDP growth targets in 2026 and the years ahead.