Lao's Minister presents merit certificate to VRG

During a working visit to the Hanoi Representative Office of the Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG), the Minister of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) presented a Certificate of Merit to the Vietnam Rubber Group.

The Minister's presentation of the Certificate of Merit to VRG recognizes the Group's significant contributions throughout more than 20 years of investment and operations in Laos. The award also serves as encouragement for VRG to further expand cooperation and invest in the research and development of rubber and other high-value industrial crops, thereby contributing to Laos' socio-economic development. At the same time, it helps strengthen the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, making the bilateral relationship increasingly close and effective.

The delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) was led by Dr. Linkham Duoangsavanh, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Minister of Agriculture and Environment.

The delegation also included senior officials from various departments under the Ministry, including the Department of Rural Development, Department of Agricultural Promotion and Cooperatives, Department of Crop Production, Department of Personnel, Department of Environmental Inspection, Department of Forestry, Department of Planning and Cooperation, Department of Land Management and Development, and the Ministry's Office.

Representing the Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG) were Mr. Tran Cong Kha, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Mr. Le Thanh Hung, Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Do Huu Phuoc, Standing Deputy Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Pham Hai Duong, Deputy Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Pham Trung Thu, Head of VRG's Representative Office in Hanoi; Mr. Duong Dinh Bang, Head of VRG's Representative Office in Laos; together with leaders of VRG's member companies operating in Laos.

During the meeting, Minister Linkham Duoangsavanh highly appreciated VRG's achievements in developing rubber plantations in Laos. He noted that the Group's projects have not only generated significant economic benefits but have also created stable employment opportunities, improved local livelihoods, developed rural infrastructure, protected the environment, and contributed to socio-economic development in many provinces across Laos.

On behalf of VRG's leadership, Mr. Le Thanh Hung, Chief Executive Officer of VRG, expressed his sincere appreciation for the continued support and cooperation provided by the Government of Laos and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for the Group's investment projects over the years. He emphasized that the achievements of these projects stand as a vivid testament to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Since entering the Lao market in 2005, Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG) has established six subsidiaries across five provinces—Champasak, Savannakhet, Salavan, Bolykhamxay, and Oudomxay. These include Viet-Lao Rubber Joint Stock Company, Quasa Geruco Joint Stock Company, Dau Tieng Viet-Lao Rubber Joint Stock Company, Bolykhamxay Ha Tinh Co., Ltd., VRG Oudomxay One Member Co., Ltd., and Quavan Rubber Co., Ltd.

VRG has invested in three rubber processing plants with a combined designed processing capacity of 34,000 tonnes per year. The Group's total rubber plantation area in Laos has reached 26,644.66 hectares, of which 24,555.08 hectares are currently under tapping.

As of December 31, 2025, the projects had achieved a cumulative rubber production of 379,763 tonnes, while total rubber sales were estimated at 413,052 tonnes. Cumulative revenue reached approximately USD 621.11 million, with pre-tax profit totaling USD 89.56 million. The projects contributed an estimated USD 29.32 million to the Lao state budget and generated USD 530.18 million in export earnings.

In 2025 alone, the projects produced 36,965 tonnes of rubber and recorded estimated sales of 38,396 tonnes. Total revenue was approximately USD 69.51 million, contributions to the state budget reached an estimated USD 4.56 million, and export turnover totaled USD 65.63 million.

The projects employed an average of 5,700 workers in Laos during 2025, with an average monthly income of USD 350 per employee.

Beyond its business operations, VRG has invested extensively in community development within its project areas. The Group has contributed more than USD 9.5 million to social welfare and infrastructure projects, including the construction of roads, schools, healthcare facilities, electricity networks, clean water systems, and other public amenities.

These initiatives have contributed to Laos' socio-economic development, gradually improving the livelihoods of local communities. More importantly, they have helped transform traditional farming and labor practices by promoting large-scale, industrialized agricultural production.

VRG highly values and sincerely appreciates the strong support and favorable conditions provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to the Group's member companies operating in Laos. These achievements are fully aligned with the directives of the Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Laos at the sessions of the Vietnam–Laos Intergovernmental Committee, which emphasize enhancing the quality and effectiveness of investment and business activities by Vietnamese enterprises in Laos, particularly those engaged in rubber cultivation and development.

As green development and climate change adaptation become global priorities, rubber plantations offer not only significant economic value but also important environmental benefits. They contribute to increasing forest cover, enhancing carbon sequestration and storage, and supporting the sustainable development goals of both countries. Against this backdrop, VRG and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao PDR are strengthening their cooperation to further promote the sustainable development of the rubber sector in Laos.

To date, VRG has completed surveys covering approximately 73,000 hectares of land in Laos, including 17,000 hectares in Salavan Province, 26,000 hectares in Champasak Province, and 30,000 hectares in Savannakhet Province. The Group hopes to continue conducting surveys in other provinces with suitable climatic and soil conditions to support the further expansion of its rubber plantation development in Laos.