Rare-earth element (REE) is the common name for a group of 17 chemical elements on the periodic table, including Scandium (Sc), Yttrium and 15 elements of the Lanthanide group (La, Ce, Pr, Nd , Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu). This is an important material in many high-tech fields and is also one of the strategic materials for semiconductor production.

According to the Institute of Materials Science, up to now, Vietnam has not had a factory to process rare earth concentrates into products that meet export standards, (the total rare earth oxide content must reach at least 95 per cent). Although there has been very early research into the technology needed to separate rare earth oxides and clean them to high purity, most of this work remains in the laboratory and has not yet been applied in practice.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has coordinated with relevant ministries and branches to organise many scientific conferences aimed at connecting research organisations, scientists from businesses involved in the field of rare earth exploitation and processing. The goal is to promote cooperation in research, technology consulting, transfer, and improvement to meet the development needs of companies.

Recently, foreign businesses and partners from countries such as the US, Japan, and South Korea have shown interest in cooperating with Vietnam in mining and processing rare earth minerals. However, only a few manufacturers in these countries possess the technology for deep processing of rare earths, which they often keep proprietary without technology transfer.

Locally, Hung Hai Group Joint Stock Company (Hung Hai Group) is one of the enterprises engaged in rare earth exploration and processing in Vietnam.

Mr. Tran Dinh Hai, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hung Hai Group, highlighted Vietnam's abundant rare earth resources, particularly in the North Nam Xe, Nam Xe, and Dong Pao areas of Lai Chau province. Investment in rare earth mining and processing technology aims to maximize this valuable resource, thereby enhancing the country's economic value. However, the enterprise's primary challenge lies in rare earth processing technology.

Mr. Tran Dinh Hai, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hung Hai Group and representative of Trident Global Holdings Co., Ltd at the signing of comprehensive strategic cooperation contract

In recent years, Hung Hai Group has been investing in advanced rare earth processing technology, ensuring environmental protection requirements during the exploitation and processing process. Hung Hai Group had many potential partners but in the end decided to choose Trident Global Holdings Co., Ltd (Korea), a company that fully met the technological conditions, financial capacity, risk management challenges and had strong support from the Governments of the two countries.

Chairman of Trident Global Holdings, Mr. Yun Jong Hyeog, said that Trident Global Holdings integrates technology for water, exhaust gas, and radioactive waste treatment from two major American corporations, Zoetic and Langenburg. Trident commits to supporting Hung Hai in optimising production processes, improving the efficiency of mining, processing and producing rare earth products, meeting environmental requirements.

Trident Global Holdings Co., Ltd and Hung Hai Group have signed a strategic cooperation agreement covering technology transfer, finance, and risk management, enabling prompt project development in line with the Communist Party and Government policies in this sector. After cooperation, research, and investment in rare earth deep processing technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology licensed the transfer of rare earth deep processing technology meeting standards with TREO ≥ 95%.

The cooperation between Hung Hai Group and Trident Global Holdings not only brings economic benefits, but also helps Vietnam access the most modern technology, ensuring the rare earth mining and processing process is safe, sustainable and effective, in accordance with the Communist Party and Government's rare earth industry development orientation.

Moreover, it enhances Vietnam's competitiveness in the global rare earth supply market and plays a pivotal role in advancing the semiconductor industry, particularly in electronics, telecommunications, and high-tech equipment production within Vietnam./.