Carlsberg’s Phu Bai Brewery expansion in central Vietnam set to start brewing late this month

The expansion of Carlsberg’s brewery in Hue city, central Vietnam, with an investment of nearly $90 million, has entered trial runs and is scheduled to be inaugurated and begin full-scale production in late August.

The new production line will boost Phu Bai’s brewing capacity by 50%, making it Carlsberg’s largest beer production site in Asia and position it amongst the group’s most productive globally in terms of labor efficiency.

Speaking at a working session with Hue authorities on Thursday, Carlsberg Vietnam added that H1/2025 remained challenging for the beer industry amid weak demand, shifting consumer trends, and mounting competitive pressure.

However, the company has maintained stable employment for over 3,800 direct and indirect workers, remaining one of Vietnam’s leading brewers and a key taxpayer in Hue City.

The brewer proposed that the city support to put the new production line into operation as scheduled, boost traditional product consumption, and crack down on unlicensed craft beer, counterfeits, and knockoffs.

The company also suggested partnering to launch more cultural and community events that promote its products alongside Hue’s distinctive image.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Phan Quy Phuong praised Carlsberg Vietnam’s role, pledging that the city will direct relevant departments to work closely with the company to promptly resolve challenges, from technical infrastructure to administrative procedures and the investment environment, Hue city's news portal reported.

He asked the brewer to further innovate its sales model by linking it with the former imperial capital’s tourism and culture, and deepen participation in signature city events such as the Hue Festival, Ao Dai (long traditional dress) Festival, and Royal Night.

Carlsberg was the first large Danish multi-national to enter Vietnam, in 1993.

For the first 20 years, Carlsberg’s JV partners managed its Vietnamese holdings under Carlsberg Indochina. In 2013, a fully dedicated Carlsberg management team was established and consolidated operations into a single unit with two legal entities (Carlsberg Vietnam Trading and Carlsberg Vietnam Breweries), according to its website.

Carlsberg holds a significant share of the central Vietnam beer market with its popular Huda brand.