S Korea LS Eco Energy seeks stable rare earth supply from Vietnam
South Korean cable firm LS Eco Energy seeks to secure a stable rare earth supply from Vietnam, after its partners in a deal signed in January 2024 were arrested in November 2024.
A delegation of LS Eco Energy led by CEO Lee Sang-ho made the proposal at a Tuesday meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. The Vietnamese delegation also featured officials from state giants Vietnam Electricity and Petrovietnam.
LS Eco Energy CEO Lee Sang-ho (left, second) and Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien (center) at a meeting in Seoul on February 25, 2025. Photo courtesy of LS Eco Energy.
CEO Lee Sang-ho highlighted Vietnam holds the world’s second-largest rare earth reserve, but mining is subject to strict regulations. Meanwhile, China, as the world’s biggest rare earth reserve, also restricts export of the minerals.
Securing rare earth supply can help LS Eco Energy with permanent magnet production, the executive added.
Besides, LS Eco Energy, a major supplier of cables and power lines in Vietnam, and the Vietnamese side discussed cooperation in building energy infrastructure, including offshore wind power and nuclear power.
In January 2024, LS Eco Energy and Vietnamese mineral firm Hung Thinh signed an offtake agreement. Accordingly, the Vietnamese firm was set to supply 500 tons of rare earth oxides every year from 2025 to LS Eco Energy. LS Eco Energy will use neodymium and disprocium supplied by the Vietnamese firm for its permanent magnet production.
In November 2024, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security launched legal proceedings against nine Hung Thinh executives and staff for violations in exploiting titanium ore exceeding the given permit.
In November 2024, the Ministry of Public Security launched legal proceedings against nine Hung Thinh executives and staff, including chairman Phan Thanh Muon (first, left). Photo courtesy of the ministry.
Phan Thanh Muon, chairman of the board of directors of Hung Thinh, was subject to two charges: violating regulations on resource exploitation and violating regulations on accounting causing serious consequences per Clause 2, Article 227 and Clause 3, Article 221 of the Penal Code.
- Related News
- Read More
Chinese firms seek to develop smart urban areas in Vietnam
Hong Kong-headquartered CCC Infrastructure Co. and Shenzhen-based Hero Group wish to implement real estate projects in Vietnam, including investments in smart urban areas in the northern province of Bac Ninh and the southern province of Tay Ninh.
Real Estate - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 10:25 pm GMT+7
Construction starts on Hoa Nhon Industrial Park in central Vietnam city Danang
Local investor Sai Gon-Da Nang Investment JSC (SDN) has started construction on the Hoa Nhon Industrial Park (IP) which covers 24.75 ha in the central city of Danang.
Companies - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 8:34 pm GMT+7
US starts anti-circumvention probe into aluminum containers imported from Vietnam
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has initiated anti-circumvention investigations into disposable aluminum containers, pans, trays, and lids imported from Vietnam and Thailand, according to the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Companies - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 8:27 pm GMT+7
Vietnamese billionaire-backed VinSpeed raises capital to $573 mln
VinSpeed High-Speed Rail Investment and Development JSC, where Vietnamese billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong holds a controlling stake, has raised its capital from VND6 trillion to VND15 trillion ($573.5 million).
Infrastructure - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 4:33 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's airport operator ACV to issue 1.4 bln shares in record dividend
State-owned Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) plans to issue over 1.4 billion shares as stock dividends at a 64.58% ratio, its all-time high.
Companies - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 3:44 pm GMT+7
Vietnam seeks economic expansion at 8.3-8.5% this year: Prime Minister
Vietnam needs to achieve a GDP growth rate of about 8.3-8.5% this year, creating momentum to reach a double-digit level in the 2026-2030 period, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Economy - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 3:00 pm GMT+7
Vietnam targets $4.5 bln in cashew exports for 2025
Vietnam is aiming to export cashews worth $4.5 billion in 2025, up 2.7% year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. To hit this target, the sector must generate around $2.2 billion in the second half.
Companies - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 1:31 pm GMT+7
Indonesia sees great opportunities to boost exports to Europe
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) expressed optimism that the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) will boost trade between the two sides.
Southeast Asia - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 1:24 pm GMT+7
Malaysia tightens export controls on US-origin AI chips
The Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has announced that all exports, transhipment, and transit of high-performance artificial intelligence (AI) chips originating from the United States will require a Strategic Trade Permit under the Strategic Trade Act 2010 (STA 2010).
Southeast Asia - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 1:21 pm GMT+7
Auto manufacturing project in central Vietnam raises investment by over $810 mln
Vietnamese automaker Kim Long Motor Hue JSC (Kim Long Motor) has received approval from Hue authorities to raise investment in its automotive manufacturing and assembly complex in the central city by VND21.18 trillion ($809.94 million).
Industries - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 12:40 pm GMT+7
State capital at FPT Telecom transferred to Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security
Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security has assumed the role of representing the state ownership at FPT Telecom, after taking over MobiFone in February.
Companies - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 12:12 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's steel giant Hoa Sen surpasses full-year profit target by 29% after 9 months
Hoa Sen Group (HSG), one of Vietnam’s leading steelmakers, reported a net profit of VND647 billion ($24.8 million) for the first nine months of its fiscal year starting October 2024, exceeding its full-year target set under an optimistic scenario by 29%.
Companies - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 8:17 am GMT+7
Northern Vietnam city receives $15.6 bln in pledged investment capital post-merger
Over $15.6 billion in investment capital was committed for the northern port city of Hai Phong on Tuesday, a record high.
Industries - Tue, July 15, 2025 | 11:12 pm GMT+7
Honda cements Vietnam motorbike market dominance with 10% sales growth
Honda Vietnam (HVN) reported a 10% year-on-year increase in motorcycle sales to nearly 2.3 million units in fiscal year 2025, which ended on March 31, according to the company’s annual report.
Companies - Tue, July 15, 2025 | 5:42 pm GMT+7
Foreign investors net buy over $497 mln on Vietnam's stock market from July 1-15
VN-Index, which represents the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, dropped by 9.77 points to 1,460.8 on Tuesday, ending its seven-session gaining streak.
Finance - Tue, July 15, 2025 | 5:13 pm GMT+7
UPS eyes opportunities in Vietnam's free trade zone, airport projects
Leading global shipping and logistics firm UPS is eyeing business opportunities at the Danang city-based free trade zone and the Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai province.
Economy - Tue, July 15, 2025 | 3:58 pm GMT+7
