In recent years, Lao Cai has drastically improved the investment and business environment; prioritized the acceleration of many important projects and works on transportation, infrastructure of border economic zones, industrial parks, industrial clusters and new planning of industrial zones and clusters, creating room for development. In addition, the province has paid special attention to removing difficulties and obstacles for enterprises, promoting production and business, thanks to which the industrial production index has continued to improve. The structure of Lao Cai's industry has continued to change positively, increasing the proportion of the processing and manufacturing industry, exploiting the potential of hydropower reasonably... and gradually reducing the proportion of the mining industry.

Attracting investment and focusing on deep mineral processing

Lao Cai has a long-term strength in the processing industry associated with mining. With 35 different types of minerals, 150 valuable mines, many of which are high quality and have large reserves such as apatite, copper, iron, gold, rare earth, graphite, feldspar... minerals play a strategic role in the national production chain.

Deep processing of minerals to increase industrial production value.

In 2024, Lao Cai industry will continue to maintain its development and ensure that it is an important pillar for the province's economic development. The value of industrial and handicraft production reached 44,016 billion Vietnamese dong, equal to 103.4% over the same period last year; Apatite ore mining output increased; acid production projects operated stably, production and consumption output was higher than the previous year... The province focused on developing deep mineral processing industry and supporting industry, focusing on applying modern and advanced technology in production to improve quality and protect the environment.

In order to develop industry in the direction of increasing value and sustainability, in recent years, the province has directed the selection of investors with financial capacity and projects applying modern, advanced technology, producing products that are competitive in the domestic and world markets, saving resources, energy, and being environmentally friendly. In the area, there have been enterprises using modern technology, high production efficiency, such as: Project to expand and increase the capacity of Lao Cai Copper Smelting Plant; Ta Phoi Copper Selection Plant Project; Project of Copper Selection Plant No. 2 of Sin Quyen Copper Selection Mine Branch; Apatite deep processing complex in Tang Loong Industrial Park of Duc Giang Chemical Group...

Industrial park – “bright spot” of industry

Sewing and embroidery factory in Industrial Park.

Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone is one of the eight key border gate economic zones in the country, invested by the Government, with two industrial parks: Bac Duyen Hai (85ha), Dong Pho Moi (100ha) and one Kim Thanh border gate area (184ha). These are all clean industrial parks, mainly processing, packaging and warehousing for import and export; the occupancy rate of all three industrial parks has reached 87.2%. Tang Loong Industrial Park in Bao Thang district has a planned area of 1,100ha, is a heavy industrial park, the main industries are mineral selection, metallurgy, fertilizer and chemical production.

In total, the border economic zones and industrial parks in Lao Cai province have a total of more than 200 registered investment projects, of which 191 projects are still valid, 11 projects have ceased operations, and are in the process of transitioning land and assets. In 2024 alone, the industrial production value in industrial parks and border economic zones will reach Vietnamese dong 21,155 billion, an increase of nearly 20% over the same period in 2023, reaching 100% of the 2024 plan and equal to 46.3% of the province's total industrial production value.

The industrial parks create stable jobs for nearly 9,500 workers. Units in the three industrial parks have paid nearly VND902 billion in taxes to the State (Tang Loong paid nearly VND683 billion, Dong Pho Moi more than VND178 billion, Bac Duyen Hai 40.6 billion). The common average monthly salary of workers in industrial parks is about VND8 million/person; however, there are units that operate effectively, bringing in higher incomes for workers.

The Resolution of the 16th Lao Cai Provincial Party Congress (term 2020-2025) has identified: Industry as an important pillar; trade-tourism and services as breakthroughs; agriculture, forestry and new rural construction as the focus. Therefore, first of all, the provincial agencies and functional units need to deeply study the guidelines, policies, directives, resolutions and directions of the Party, State and Government, find creative ways to apply them, attract investment to develop border economic zones and industrial parks.

Increased deep processing

Up to now, Lao Cai has 74 completed hydropower projects, generating electricity with a total installed capacity of 1,162.85 MW, with stable and safe power generation operations.

According to the Lao Cai Provincial Planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 approved by the Prime Minister, Lao Cai industry will develop in the direction of deep processing, expanding the province's position and role in the country's industrial production chain.

The province also expands and develops the post-metallurgical, chemical and fertilizer industries in depth, associated with the exploitation of minerals with large reserves such as apatite, copper, iron and rare earth. Prioritizing the development of processing and manufacturing industries with high-tech and environmentally friendly products. Developing the agricultural and forestry processing industry associated with the development of raw material areas and consumer markets...

Attract investment to develop industries that can create jobs for many workers; develop a number of modern industries such as biopharmaceuticals, electronics, information technology, etc. on the basis of taking advantage of opportunities from the 4.0 Industrial Revolution.

Closely following the Lao Cai Provincial Planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, Lao Cai is oriented to develop with the goal of building Lao Cai into a province with developed industry. Accordingly, the province focuses on attracting investment in fields and groups of industries such as: developing the mining and processing industry of minerals and construction materials in the direction of continuing to improve technology levels, promoting the production of finished products with higher value; focusing on processing key agricultural - forestry - fishery products of the province; Post-metallurgical manufacturing industry; high-end textiles and footwear; supporting industries; manufacturing of electronic equipment and components; processing of gypsum waste, red phosphorus, and phosphorus-rich fertilizers; Groups of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, passenger transport vehicles, renewable energy equipment, solar - wind engines and associated with the processing, manufacturing, and assembly of electronic equipment and components, 3D printing technology...

The province is striving to complete and submit to the Prime Minister for approval the adjustment of the master plan for the construction of Lao Cai Border Gate Economic Zone until 2045, to have a basis for implementing zoning plans, detailed plans, creating land funds to attract investment; at the same time, completing the detailed planning of functional areas in the Border Gate Economic Zone. Proposing resources to invest in infrastructure of key functional areas (Logistics and service area; Ban Vuoc sub-border gate area; Ban Qua import and export processing and packaging industrial park), creating a relatively synchronous infrastructure system, meeting long-term development requirements; focusing on accelerating the progress of site clearance and implementing projects in the border gate area.

With the priority of attracting investment in deep mineral processing, exploiting hydropower potential reasonably, investing in developing industrial parks, industrial clusters, logistics services, etc., the province's industrial and handicraft production will maintain a high growth rate, being an important sector that contributes greatly to the province's economy.