Vietnam’s first large-scale electrolytic aluminium project has achieved another construction milestone, with the second phase of the 450,000-tonne-per-year (TPA) Da Nong aluminium project producing its first batch of molten primary aluminium on October 31, 2026. The milestone was achieved four months and three days ahead of the contractual schedule, taking the project into the trial production stage.
China Nonferrous Metal Industry’s Foreign Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd. (NFC), the project’s general contractor, announced the development following the successful production of the first batch of aluminium from the second phase. The project is being developed in Vietnam’s former Dak Nong Province, now part of Lam Dong Province, and is designed to establish the country’s first large-scale domestic primary aluminium production facility.
The latest achievement follows the commissioning progress made during the first phase. The first batch of molten primary aluminium from Phase I was produced on July 14, 2026, and all electrolytic cells in the phase had successfully started producing aluminium by September 15. The second phase has now moved into trial production, bringing the project closer to its planned production capacity.
The construction of the second phase involved several execution challenges, including work during the local rainy season, overlapping activities across multiple engineering disciplines and disruptions to cross-border transportation of equipment and materials. NFC managed the project through coordination of design, procurement, construction and commissioning activities. Experience gained during the first phase also helped align equipment manufacturing, installation and commissioning schedules.
The project represents a significant development for Vietnam’s aluminium industry, as domestic production of primary aluminium at this scale was not previously available in the country. It also reflects growing industrial cooperation between China and Vietnam, with Chinese engineering standards, technologies and equipment being deployed in the project.
Following the start of trial production, NFC will continue the baking and start-up of the remaining electrolytic cells and gradually bring additional production capacity online. The company will focus on completing commissioning activities and achieving stable operations at the designed capacity.