Vietnam Commences Domestic Aluminum Ingot Production, Marking Step Towards Industrial Upgrading and Economic Self-Reliance

First made-in-Viet Nam aluminum ingot rolls off production line SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM Government News Kim Anh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang at the ceremony to unveil first made-in-Viet Nam aluminum ingot products, Lam Dong province, July 26, 2026 - Photo: VGP/Nguyen Hoang The announcement was made at a ceremony held on July 26 at the Dak Nong Aluminum Electrolysis Plant in Nhan Co Industrial Park, Nhan Co Commune, Lam Dong Province. The event was attended by Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang, along with leaders of central ministries, agencies and the Lam Dong provincial administration. After more than 11 years of investment and construction, the Dak Nong Aluminum Electrolysis Plant successfully produced its first aluminum ingot with a purity of 99.71 percent, becoming the first facility in Viet Nam to complete the full value chain from bauxite mining and alumina refining to aluminum electrolysis. The plant's first phase has an annual production capacity of 150,000 tons. Output is expected to increase to 300,000 tons by the end of 2026 before reaching its designed capacity of 450,000 tons per year in the first quarter of 2027. Speaking at the ceremony, General Phan Van Giang described the successful production of the first aluminum ingot as a historic milestone for Viet Nam's metallurgy industry, saying it demonstrates the country's determination to develop deep-processing mineral industries, enhance value addition and strengthen economic self-reliance. He called on ministries and relevant agencies to continue improving policies for the development of the aluminum industry, while supporting enterprises in mastering advanced metallurgical technologies, training high-quality human resources and accelerating digital transformation in production. The Deputy Prime Minister said the project reflects the growing technological capability, management capacity and skilled workforce of Vietnamese enterprises, enabling the country to shift from exporting raw materials and semi-finished products toward producing strategic industrial materials. Domestically produced aluminum is expected to serve key sectors, including electricity, mechanical engineering, automobile manufacturing, railways, aviation, defense, construction and high-tech industries. Photo: VGP/Nguyen Hoang Viet Nam is estimated to possess around 5.8 billion tons of bauxite resources, most of which are located in the Central Highlands. Once operating at full capacity in 2027, the plant is expected to produce 450,000 tons of aluminum annually, generating production value of approximately VND 35-36 trillion and helping reduce aluminum imports by an estimated US$1.5 billion each year. The project is also expected to create more than 1,000 direct jobs and an additional 3,500-4,000 indirect employment opportunities./. ONLINE NEWSPAPER OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM Editor-in-chief: Nguyen Hong Sam License: No. 102/GP-BTTTT dated on April 15, 2024. Head office: No. 16, Le Hong Phong - Ba Dinh - Ha Noi Tel: 080 43162 – 080 48440; Fax: 080 48924 Email: [email protected]