Vinacomin is currently importing 5 million tons of Lao coal to supply thermal power plants and complete the tasks assigned by the Government.

All the volume of Lao coal imported is currently cleared through the La Lay border gate and transported to warehouses at the Hon La (Quang Tri) and Chan May (Hue city) ports.

Under the draft Coal Agreement between Vietnam and the Lao Government compiled by the former's Ministry of Industry and Trade, the term of coal trading is 10 years, starting from 2025. The annual volume is 5 million tons per year.

To facilitate the transportation of coal from Laos to Vietnam, Vinacomin has directed Vinacomin-Northern Coal Trading Joint Stock Company to propose investing in a coal blending, processing and warehouse project in the southeast of My Thuy Port, within the Southeast Quang Tri Economic Zone.

The project has an estimated investment of VND800 billion ($30.32 million), a land use area of about 40 hectares, and a design capacity of 4-5 million tons/year which will be expanded to 8-10 million tons/year.

However, the project has not yet been approved due to the general planning of the economic zone.

At a recent working session with Quang Tri leaders, Vinacomin proposed them approve the adjusted planning for the economic zone and the project location.

Tran Phong, Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, said that the province will direct relevant agencies to promptly complete procedures to approve the adjusted planning.

At the same time, they will assign the Economic Zone Management Board to guide Vinacomin-Northern Coal Trading JSC to complete documents and approve the project location.