Vietnam's Lam Dong shuts down $19mn waste treatment plant over environmental violations

The plant is located in Tien Thanh Ward, a merger between Tien Thanh Commune and Duc Long Ward in Phan Thiet City of former Binh Thuan Province.

The suspension, effective July 1, covers the entire facility, which must cease operations to address its legal breaches related to environmental protection, as directed by the environmental management agency.

The plant’s investor, Nhat Hoang Co., Ltd., is required to halt all operations and comply with legal requirements.

Operations may only resume upon approval from relevant authorities.

The Lam Dong Department of Agriculture and Environment has been tasked with coordinating with Tien Thanh Ward authorities and other agencies to carry out responsibilities assigned by the provincial administration.

Officials emphasized the need to ensure that all domestic waste in the area continues to be collected, transported, and treated daily to prevent public unrest and avoid further environmental pollution.

The plant, which spans approximately 100,000 square meters, was approved in May 2015 with an investment of over VND495 billion ($19 million). Its investment license was amended in May 2020.

It was designed to process 400 metric tons of municipal solid waste per day.

Since becoming operational, however, the plant has faced persistent issues and failed to meet its commitment of treating 100 percent of collected waste.

The former Binh Thuan Province administration held multiple meetings urging the company to fulfill its obligation or face a shutdown — a warning that has now materialized.

The current Lam Dong Province has been formed by merging three provinces Lam Dong, Binh Thuan, Dak Nong and the special zone of Phu Quy Island, as part of Vietnam’s major administrative restructuring.