VINACHEM

Within the framework of the working visit of Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Mr. Hồ Đức Phớc to the Lao People's Democratic Republic on November 12, 2025, the Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem) was honored to accompany the high-level delegation, participating in working sessions with Deputy Prime Minister Salermxay Kommasith and Laos government leaders. The purpose was to discuss and promote investment cooperation in the chemical industry and mineral sector, particularly the Potassium Rock Salt Mine Exploitation and Processing Project in Khammouane province.

Participating in the delegation from Vinachem were Mr. Phùng Quang Hiệp, member of the Government Party Committee Executive Board, Secretary of the Party Committee, and Chairman of  the Member Council of the Group; Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Tú, member of the Member Council and General Director and CEO of the Group; Mr. Đào Trọng Cường, Deputy General Director of the Group; and representatives of specialized boards and the Vietnam-Laos Chemical and Rock Salt Mine Company Limited (Vilachemsalt).

A symbol of strategic cooperation between the two nations

The Potassium Rock Salt Mine Exploitation and Processing Project, located in Nongbok district, Khammouane province, is invested in by VINACHEM through the Vietnam-Laos Chemical and Rock Salt Mine Company Limited (Vilachemsalt). It is one of the largest economic cooperation projects between Vietnam and Laos in the chemical industry sector. The project has a total investment of approximately 492 million USD, a designed capacity of 500,000 tons of Potassium/year, and utilizes modern underground mining technology to supply international standard Potassium Chloride products for fertilizer production and industrial use in the region.

Since August 2024, the potassium salt mine project in Khammouane province has been relaunched under the direct guidance of the Vietnamese Government and the active coordination of ministries and agencies of both countries. On November 2, 2025, VINACHEM completed the revised Feasibility Study (FS), prepared by the international consulting unit Chonfar Engineering & Technology. The study affirms the project's technical feasibility, economic efficiency, and positive impact on local development.

In 2025, VINACHEM implemented a series of preparatory and promotional activities for the project: completing the transportation of equipment and materials from Vietnam and Thailand to the construction site in Khammouane; organizing an international scientific workshop to gather opinions from leading experts on potassium salt mine technology; and working directly with many domestic and international partners to accelerate the project's progress.

Currently, the Vietnam National Chemical Group is urgently deploying the next phases of the project, while finalizing all legal and technical documents and mobilizing financial and human resources. The goal is to complete the project and produce the first commercial product by July 2027. This will be a significant milestone, confirming VINACHEM’s capacity for overseas investment and making a practical contribution to the socio-economic development of friendly Laos.

Proposals and Cooperation Directions

During the working session between Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Đức Phớc and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Salermxay Kommasith, VINACHEM made several important proposals to accelerate the project's progress:

• Requesting the Lao Department of Geology and Mines to expedite the appraisal and approval of the Feasibility Study.
• Asking the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to shorten the time for approving the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report and to allow VINACHEM to soon deploy the technical infrastructure in the project area.
• Proposing the Lao Government apply special tax and financial incentive mechanisms to the project, similar to other projects in Laos.

These proposals received positive support from the Lao Government, demonstrating the spirit of comprehensive and trusting cooperation between the two nations, Vietnam and Laos.

Affirming Vinachem's Pioneering Role in International Cooperation

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Phung Quang Hiep – Chairman of the Member Council of the VINACHEM reported on the overall progress of the Potassium Rock Salt Mine Project’s implementation, affirming that the project’s milestones are strictly established and controlled, closely adhering to the set plan and roadmap. The Group is maintaining high focus, calculating progress daily to ensure the project becomes operational on schedule.

He emphasized: “VINACHEM always values the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. The Potassium Rock Salt Mine Project not only holds significant economic meaning but is also a vivid symbol of the friendship, trust, and long-term strategic cooperation between the two Governments and the two peoples of Vietnam and Laos.”

Accompanying the delegation, General Director Nguyễn Hữu Tú affirmed VINACHEM's determination to complete legal, financial, and technical procedures to soon commence the project, opening a new chapter in industrial cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Concluding the business trip, Vinachem's participation in the delegation accompanying Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Hồ Đức Phớc not only demonstrated the State-owned enterprise's pioneering role in international investment cooperation activities but also proved the spirit of "proactive integration – sustainable development" of Vietnam's chemical sector. With the Potassium Rock Salt Mine Project in Khammouane, VINACHEM continues to affirm its capacity to implement large-scale projects abroad, contributing to strengthening the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos for the common goal of prosperity for both nations.

On the same day, Mr. Phùng Quang Hiệp, along with the Vietnamese Government Delegation, paid a courtesy call to Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, demonstrating the spirit of close cooperation and the special friendly relationship between the two countries within the framework of the working trip.