Russia’s Tatarstan urged to build Kamaz truck plant in Vietnam

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday suggested the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation consider building a Kamaz truck manufacturing plant in Vietnam.

Kamaz trucks are now a favorite product in the Vietnamese market, said PM Chinh while receiving R.N. Minnikhanov, head of Tatarstan in Hanoi.

Minnikhanov highlighted Tatarstan’s potential and strengths, saying Tatarstan is keen to cooperate with Vietnam in artificial intelligence, information technology, automotive industry, Kamaz truck production, chemicals, civilian aircraft and helicopters, food processing, textiles, furniture, and education and training.

He expressed a desire to establish a direct flight route between Kazan and Hanoi to enhance Tatarstan-Vietnam cooperation.

Applauding the outcomes of the Tatarstan delegation’s working session with Hanoi authorities and recent business networking events between the two sides, the Vietnamese leader expressed confidence that the visit would help to strengthen collaboration between Tatarstan and Vietnamese localities, further deepening the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

PM Chinh acknowledged Tatarstan’s potential and goodwill for cooperation and agreed with the proposals made by Minnikhanov to expand cooperation with Vietnam in areas that align with the needs and potential of both sides.

In addition, he suggested that Tatarstan actively promote cooperation with Vietnamese localities, especially by enhancing people-to-people exchanges and fostering connections between their citizens in the near future.

In 1969, the Soviet Union began building a super-large vehicle manufacturing plant in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny, the Republic of Tatarstan. Seven years later, the first Kamaz trucks made debut.

Kamaz is currently the largest truck manufacturer in Russia and ranks among the top 20 largest truck manufacturers in the world. The company’s products include trucks, semi-trailers, buses, tractors, engines, and other equipment.

Kamaz entered the Vietnamese market in 1978 and was once very popular in Vietnam, but its presence faded for a period. It wasn't until 2003 that the brand re-entered Vietnam as fully imported vehicles through Vietnamese distributor New Atlantic.

Last year, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son signed a decision guiding the implementation of the protocol between the Vietnamese and Russian governments on supporting the production of motor vehicles in Vietnam.

Accordingly, vehicles and components used for the production and assembly of cars and motorcycles in Vietnam by joint ventures with Russia will be granted import tax exemptions starting from January 6, 2025.