Developing the rare earth industry in Vietnam: current status, technological barriers, and strategic solutions

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the current status of rare earth exploration, processing, and applications in Vietnam, and analyzes key technical, technological, and policy barriers to the development of the rare earth industry. The objective of the study is to identify major constraints hindering the development of a complete rare earth value chain in Vietnam, benchmark international experiences, and propose context-appropriate solutions. The methodology involves a qualitative review of relevant literature, comparative analysis, and assessment of current technical capabilities. Findings show that Vietnam possesses significant rare earth resources, but lacks advanced separation technologies, an integrated value chain, and supportive policy frameworks. The paper proposes three solution groups: upgrading processing technologies, improving institutional and policy systems, and reorganizing the supply chain toward integration and sustainability.