Lam Dong Unveils Vietnam’s First Aluminum Ingot
Vietnam's first aluminum ingot was officially unveiled in Nhan Co Commune, Lam Dong Province, marking a historic technological milestone and a major turning point in the country's industrial development.
The launch ceremony was jointly organized by the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee and Tran Hong Quan Metallurgy Co., Ltd., more than a decade after the project was first initiated.
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Among the senior central government officials attending the ceremony were General Phan Van Giang, Member of the Politburo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, and Lieutenant General Le Xuan The, Member of the Party Central Committee and Commander of Military Region 7.
Provincial leaders in attendance included Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; Ho Van Muoi, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee; Dang Hong Sy, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee; Luu Van Trung, Deputy Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Council; and Pham Thi Phuc, Deputy Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Lam Dong Province.
The ceremony also drew leaders from Military Region 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Khanh Hoa and Dak Lak, along with representatives of central ministries, provincial agencies, investors and businesses.
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First Aluminum Smelter Completes Vietnam's Bauxite Value Chain
The Dak Nong Aluminum Smelter Project, developed by Tran Hong Quan Metallurgy Co., Ltd., occupies 129.42 hectares at Nhan Co Industrial Park.
- Designed with a total capacity of 450,000 metric tons per year, the project is being developed in three phases:
- Phase 1: 150,000 metric tons annually;
- Phase 2: 300,000 metric tons annually;
- Phase 3: 450,000 metric tons annually, scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2027.
Construction of the project began in 2015. As Vietnam's first primary aluminum production project, it forms the final deep-processing link in the industrial value chain, extending from bauxite mining and alumina refining to aluminum smelting.
Despite challenges ranging from financing and infrastructure to regulatory procedures, the project was completed with support from the Vietnamese Government, central ministries and provincial authorities.
Government: Domestic Aluminum Will Strengthen Economic Resilience
Delivering keynote remarks, General Phan Van Giang, Member of the Politburo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, described the production of Vietnam's first aluminum ingot as a historic achievement demonstrating the country's ability to master aluminum electrolysis technology.
He said the project establishes a new growth driver for Vietnam's metallurgical industry while supporting the country's industrial modernization.
This achievement reflects not only the capability, determination and aspirations of Vietnamese enterprises, but also realizes the Party's and the State's vision of developing a modern aluminum industry with higher value-added production.
General Phan Van Giang, Member of the Politburo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense
Vietnam possesses approximately 5.8 billion metric tons of bauxite resources, concentrated mainly in the Central Highlands, providing a strong foundation for developing downstream aluminum industries.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, domestic aluminum production will:
- reduce reliance on imports;
- lower supply-chain risks;
- improve the trade balance;
- increase localization rates; and
- strengthen the economy against external shocks.
He added that a domestic aluminum industry would also stimulate downstream sectors, including rolling, extrusion, casting, alloy production and aluminum manufacturing, creating a broader industrial ecosystem.
Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van Giang called on the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to continue refining policies supporting Vietnam's aluminum industry while encouraging technological innovation, digital transformation and workforce development.
He also urged the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee to accelerate industrial, logistics and energy infrastructure development, while asking the company to complete the remaining investment phases on schedule and ensure safe, efficient operations.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed confidence that Nhan Co Industrial Park would evolve into Vietnam's leading aluminum and advanced materials production center, driving economic growth across the Central Highlands.
Lam Dong Sees New Engine for Industrial Growth
Speaking on behalf of the province, Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, said the launch represented an important milestone not only for Lam Dong but also for Vietnam's metallurgical industry.
He noted that provincial authorities had supported the project since 2012, including four investment policy adjustments and assistance with land clearance, infrastructure and administrative procedures.
According to the provincial Party chief, the project opens opportunities to attract investment in machinery manufacturing, advanced materials, supporting industries, electronics, transportation equipment and renewable energy.
This project provides an important foundation for Lam Dong to modernize its economic structure, create high-quality jobs, improve labor productivity and living standards, and achieve its goal of double-digit GRDP growth while contributing to Vietnam's overall economic expansion.
Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam
He also called on the company to continue investing in future project phases while ensuring environmental protection, worker welfare and the development of a highly skilled technical workforce.
The provincial government pledged continued investment in transport, logistics and energy infrastructure while promoting advanced manufacturing and high-tech industries to build a modern aluminum industrial ecosystem.
First Shipment Leaves the Plant
Following the official unveiling, the project's first commercial shipment of aluminum ingots was sold at the ceremony.
When fully operational, the smelter is expected to create approximately 3,500 jobs, make a significant contribution to provincial budget revenues and support Lam Dong's target of achieving double-digit GRDP growth.
Officials estimate the project will also reduce Vietnam's aluminum imports by approximately US$1.5 billion annually, strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity and improving the country's trade balance.