Vietnam imported coal to the tune of US$497 million in December, up from US$378 million in November, a change of 31.46 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$6,552 million worth of coal by the end of December.
Indonesia accounted for US$184 million worth of Vietnam’s coal imports in December. This was up from US$126 million in coal imports in November, a change of 45.84 percent. Year to date, Indonesia has shipped US$2,068 million worth of coal to Vietnam.
After Indonesia was Australia making up US$182 million worth of Vietnam’s coal imports in December. This was up from US$148 million in coal imports in November, a change of 22.94 percent. Year to date, Australia has shipped US$2,629 million worth of coal to Vietnam.
Next was Russia contributing US$96 million worth of Vietnam’s coal imports in December. This was up from US$63 million in coal imports in November, a change of 51.25 percent. Year to date, Russia has shipped US$875 million worth of coal to Vietnam.
Following Russia was China representing US$7 million worth of Vietnam’s coal imports in December. This was up from US$2 million in coal imports in November, a change of 230.67 percent. Year to date, China has shipped US$86 million worth of coal to Vietnam.
Rounding out the top five was Laos constituting US$6 million worth of Vietnam’s coal imports in December. This was up from US$3 million in coal imports in November, a change of 84.29 percent. Year to date, Laos has shipped US$146 million worth of coal to Vietnam.
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Vietnam imports of coal in December, US$m
| December | November | MoM | YTD | |
| Total | 497.35 | 378.32 | 31.46% | 6,552.45 |
| Other | 22.34 | 35.53 | -37.12% | 747.93 |
| Indonesia | 183.96 | 126.14 | 45.84% | 2,068.33 |
| Australia | 181.72 | 147.82 | 22.94% | 2,628.66 |
| Russia | 95.54 | 63.17 | 51.25% | 875.09 |
| China | 7.47 | 2.26 | 230.67% | 86.29 |
| Laos | 6.26 | 3.40 | 84.29% | 145.79 |
| Malaysia | 0.05 | 0.00 | 0.00% | 0.28 |
| Japan | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00% | 0.09 |
Coal production
Vietnam produced 3,981.15 thousand tons of coal in December, down 0.17 percent from 3,987.90 thousand tons in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 45,713.96 thousand tons by the end of December.
Read the full report on Vietnam coal production in December→
Listed coal companies
These companies are listed on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
PetroVietnam Power Corporation
PetroVietnam Power Corporation (POW) operates gas, coal, and hydropower plants supplying electricity to the national grid.
POW closed at VND 14,150 on Monday down 0.25 percent with 272,147,000 shares traded, worth VND 382,454 million.
Foreign ownership in POW is currently capped at 59.5 percent, with current foreign ownership sitting at 6.1 percent.
Pha Lai Thermal Power JSC
Pha Lai Thermal Power JSC (PPC) operates coal-fired power plants generating electricity for northern Vietnam.
PPC closed at VND 9,960 on Monday up 0.01 percent with 3,966,000 shares traded, worth VND 3,945 million.
Foreign ownership in PPC is currently capped at 49.0 percent, with current foreign ownership sitting at 4.5 percent.
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Vietnam coal news
Recent developments include:
Coal mining policy reform
Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has proposed a special mechanism for the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (TKV) to resolve procurement barriers that currently hinder underground mine development.
Under existing rules, many technically capable TKV units cannot bid for tunnelling work because they share the same legal entity, even though domestic contractors outside TKV largely lack the capacity to perform these specialised tasks.
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Vietnam’s coal industry
Vietnam’s coal industry plays a central role in power generation, supplying fuel for thermal power plants as domestic electricity demand continues to grow.
Production is led mainly by state-owned enterprises, with output supplemented by imports to meet rising demand and offset declining quality at mature mines.