On July 24, 2026, a delegation from Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) visited the Vietnam Association of Foreign-Invested Enterprises (VAFIE). The delegation included:
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Logan Lu, CEO of SMM
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Cason Lou, Director of Aluminum Processing, Marketing Department
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Lexi Chen, Key Account Manager for Overseas Information Sales
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Khai Yuen Chin, Senior Overseas Aluminum Analyst
The delegation held in-depth discussions with VAFIE representatives on Vietnam’s investment environment, cooperation with local investment promotion authorities, business resource connections, and potential collaboration on industry forums.
VAFIE noted that it has actively participated in international forums and exhibitions related to Vietnam’s aluminum industry in recent years.
As an important organization connecting the Vietnamese government, local industrial parks, and international investors, VAFIE has extensive government and corporate resources in areas including bauxite development, alumina projects, aluminum processing and manufacturing, and related industrial investment promotion. It is also committed to supporting regional economic development and industrial growth across Vietnam.
SMM introduced its continued engagement in Vietnam and the broader Southeast Asian market, including its work on developing local pricing systems, conducting industry research, organizing international forums, and connecting companies with relevant business resources.
Since July 3, 2026, SMM has launched a series of new price assessments covering Southeast Asian 6063 aluminum billet processing fees and CIF Southeast Asia premiums and discounts. Among them, the Vietnam 6063 Non-Homogenized Aluminum Billet Processing Fee and related price assessment have officially been launched.
Both sides agreed that, as Vietnam’s manufacturing sector and foreign investment continue to expand, Chinese and Vietnamese companies have significant potential for cooperation in industrial development, project investment, market intelligence, and international exchanges. They also expressed their intention to pursue deeper cooperation in the future.
Understanding the Logic Behind Chinese Aluminum Companies’ Expansion into Vietnam
01 Companies Need More Than Customers — They Need a Local Gateway
In recent years, an increasing number of Chinese aluminum companies have turned their attention to Vietnam.
Some are exploring opportunities in industrial parks, some are seeking aluminum processing projects, while others are establishing local supply chains.
However, after entering the Vietnamese market, many companies discover that finding customers is not necessarily the greatest challenge. The real difficulty lies in identifying a reliable local platform that can connect them with government authorities, regional resources, and suitable project opportunities.
In the past, Chinese aluminum companies considering expansion into Vietnam mainly asked:
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Are operating costs low enough?
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Which part of Vietnam is most suitable for our business?
Today, their priorities are changing:
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Does the local government support the project?
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Who can help us turn the plan into a successful local operation?
For Chinese aluminum companies, those that establish strong local connections earlier will be better positioned to capture opportunities arising from Vietnam’s industrial upgrading and the restructuring of regional supply chains.
02 Competition Is Not Only About Finding Opportunities — It Is About Execution
As more Chinese aluminum companies begin expanding into Vietnam, the country’s policy environment, approval procedures, project licensing requirements, and local investment promotion rules are also evolving.
Future competition will not simply depend on who identifies an opportunity first. It will increasingly depend on which companies possess stronger local networks, more accurate policy insights, and more efficient project execution capabilities.
This is also a key reason why SMM AICE continues to deepen its presence in Vietnam.
Through ongoing visits to companies, industry associations, and government institutions across Vietnam and Southeast Asia, SMM AICE aims to establish more transparent market intelligence, industry research, and international exchange platforms.
These efforts are designed to help Chinese aluminum companies assess the Vietnamese market more accurately, reduce decision-making risks, and improve their ability to implement projects successfully.
To help more Chinese aluminum companies gain an early advantage and capture emerging opportunities in Vietnam, SMM AICE Vietnam is coming with a major industry gathering.
At the conference, SMM will officially launch the SMM Vietnam Aluminum Price and provide a detailed explanation of its pricing methodology.
Join the Conversation at SMM AICE 2026
Connect with aluminum producers, processors, traders, manufacturers, certification organisations, industry associations and decision-makers from across Southeast Asia and the global market.
Explore aluminum pricing, primary aluminum supply, processing technologies, low-carbon development, CBAM compliance and new opportunities for regional cooperation.
? Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
? November 19–20, 2026
Register now: bit.ly/AICE26 and secure your Super Early Bird Pass and save up to USD 200. Register before August 31, 2026.
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