Developing green industries – the "key" to Lao Cai's breakthrough and sustainable development.

Lao Cai is a key industrial province in the northern midland and mountainous region, with mining, chemicals, and metallurgy playing a leading role. In this context, developing green industries is not only an essential requirement but also the "key" to harmoniously addressing environmental and resource issues, while creating room for sustainable long-term growth.

In practice, the industrial development process over the past period has significantly contributed to the province's economic growth, but it has also created considerable pressure on the ecological environment and the risk of resource depletion. Therefore, the need to transform the growth model from "extensive" to "intensive," from raw extraction to deep processing, and from linear to circular economy is becoming a strategic choice for Lao Cai to continue its stable and sustainable development.

Provincial leaders attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Son Ha spice production and processing plant.

With its abundant mineral resources such as apatite, copper, and iron, along with a system of chemical and metallurgical plants concentrated in the Tang Loong Industrial Zone, Lao Cai has formed a relatively complete industrial foundation. However, the prolonged exploitation of these resources over many years has created an urgent need for a change in development thinking. In this context, green growth is no longer just a guiding concept, but has become a mandatory requirement to ensure harmony between economic, social, and environmental goals.

Recognizing this, the Department of Industry and Trade proactively advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue Project No. 08 on the development of green and modern industries for the period 2026-2030, clearly defining the objectives, roadmap, and key solution groups. Based on this, in 2026 and subsequent years, the department will focus on implementing comprehensive solutions to achieve a GRDP growth target of over 10%, an industrial production index (IIP) of over 112%, creating a foundation for breakthroughs in the medium and long term.

According to Mr. Hoang Chi Hien, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Lao Cai province, to realize the goal of developing green industry, the industry and trade sector is focusing on four key solution groups in the industrial and energy sectors. Among these, addressing the raw material issue with a "green" and "circular" mindset is identified as a breakthrough.

Mr. Hoang Chi Hien - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, visits typical rural industrial products of 2025.

The shortage of raw materials at major mining sites is a major bottleneck for industrial production. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has been working closely with localities to resolve obstacles in land clearance at key mining sites, ensuring a stable supply of raw materials for production.

"In particular, a groundbreaking solution in the circular economy is advising the Provincial People's Committee to propose to the competent authorities to allow the reuse of 5 million tons of type III apatite ore currently stockpiled at Mine 13 and Lang Cang. This solution not only promptly supplements raw materials for factories but also frees up land, addresses the risk of environmental pollution, and clearly demonstrates the circular economy mindset in mineral exploitation," affirmed Hoang Chi Hien, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade.

Furthermore, promoting deep processing and recycling of industrial waste is considered a fundamental approach to increasing added value and minimizing environmental impact. Projects such as the Gypsum waste treatment and recycling project by DAP No. 2 - Vinachem Joint Stock Company and the phosphorus slag and blast furnace slag crushing project by Lao Kay Production and Trading Joint Stock Company not only contribute to solving the industrial waste problem in the Tang Loong Industrial Park but also create high-value construction materials.

Notably, the commissioning of the Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) production plant by Tan Hung Thinh Joint Stock Company marks a significant shift for Lao Cai towards petrochemicals and new materials – industries with high technological content and added value. Once these projects are operating stably, they are expected to contribute over 1,000 billion VND to industrial production value and increase budget revenue by approximately 150 billion VND annually, becoming new drivers of local growth.

Tang Loong Industrial Zone

Alongside production development, the construction of industrial park and cluster infrastructure is identified as a key factor in realizing the goal of sustainable growth. In 2026, Lao Cai will focus on completing planning and attracting investment into new-generation industrial parks such as Coc My - Trinh Tuong, Ban Qua, Vo Lao, Y Can, and Dong An, which are oriented towards ecological standards and prioritize clean industries, high technology, and logistics. At the same time, the province will accelerate the completion of infrastructure and land clearance for industrial clusters, striving to create at least 500 hectares of clean industrial land in 2026, ready to attract investors.

Waste treatment system of Bac Nhac Son Apatite Ore Plant, Vietnam Apatite One-Member Limited Liability Company

Furthermore, the development and optimization of clean energy sources is identified as a crucial pillar of the green industry. Currently, Lao Cai maintains a stable 105 hydropower projects with a total capacity of 1,768 MW, contributing nearly 2,000 billion VND to the budget annually. In 2026, the province will continue to bring new hydropower projects into operation, supplementing the capacity of the national power grid. Simultaneously, implementing the revised Power Development Plan VIII and the Provincial Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, Lao Cai is actively attracting investment in solar and wind power projects, aiming to develop approximately 3,000 MW of renewable energy in the 2026-2030 period, gradually becoming a clean energy hub in the region.

Thac Ba Hydroelectric Power Plant - a pioneering symbol of the energy industry. (Photo: Viet Vinh)

Energy infrastructure is receiving attention and investment to ensure a stable electricity supply for industrial production. (Photo: Viet Vinh)

Mr. Hoang Chi Hien, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, added: "Alongside the development of green industry, the trade sector is identified by the province as an important driving force to realize the goal of bringing the total import and export turnover in 2026 to over 6.1 billion USD."

Accordingly, the province is reorganizing its commercial space according to the "One Axis - Two Poles" model, promoting the leading role of the northern border gate economy and the southern logistics center, while positioning Lao Cai as a center for processing and packaging agricultural products, shifting from "transit" to "value creation," and gradually participating more deeply in regional and global value chains.

High-tech agricultural production in Sa Pa ward. (Photo: Van Thao)

Developing green industries is not only a strategic choice but also an inevitable path for Lao Cai to overcome the limitations of the old growth model, harmonizing economic, social, and environmental goals. With a long-term vision, innovative thinking, and synchronized solutions from industry and energy to trade, Lao Cai is gradually transforming from "resource exploitation" to "value creation," from extensive growth to sustainable development in depth. If implemented decisively and consistently, green industries will truly become the "key" to unlocking new development opportunities, enabling Lao Cai to make a strong breakthrough in the coming period.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/phat-trien-cong-nghiep-xanh-chia-khoa-de-lao-cai-but-pha-va-phat-trien-ben-vung-post893292.html