The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai and representatives of leaders from units under the Ministry.

Presenting the report on performance in the first four months of 2026, Phung Manh Ngoc, Director of the Vietnam Chemicals Agency, said that as of April 2026, there were 20,117 active chemical enterprises in operation, employing a total of 787,069 workers, with an average monthly income of around VND 15 million. In the first quarter of 2026, the sector recorded growth of 18.2% year-on-year, while April alone saw an increase of 9.9%.

On institutional development, the Agency has completed and submitted for issuance a synchronized system of guiding legal documents implementing the Law on Chemicals No.69/2025/QH15, including three decrees and two circulars.

In administrative reform, the Agency has delegated 34 out of 49 administrative procedures to local authorities in line with directives from the Government and the Minister. Regarding imports, the chemical sector imported approximately USD 28 billion worth of goods in 2025, and nearly USD 7 billion in the first four months of 2026, reflecting a still significant reliance on imported materials.

The Vietnam Chemicals Agency has actively coordinated with the Agency for Innovation, Green Transition and Industry Promotion (ĐCK) in implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, focusing on several key areas such as high-purity and ultra-high-purity chemicals for the semiconductor and electronics industries, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials.

According to Phung Manh Ngoc, a major challenge facing the sector is the trade deficit in raw materials and chemical products, leading to limited autonomy and vulnerability to global market fluctuations. Vietnam has yet to produce many high-tech chemical products, while industry growth has not been accompanied by the development of domestic enterprises. A small market scale has resulted in limited investment scale and low competitiveness.

Many ministries, sectors, and localities still maintain concerns over environmental risks and pollution, leading to reluctance in attracting chemical industry investment, or insufficient attention to implementing tasks and solutions outlined in the Chemical Industry Development Strategy.

Regarding key tasks for the remainder of the year, Director Phung Manh Ngoc stated that the Vietnam Chemicals Agency will continue coordinating with relevant units to implement solutions for developing the chemical industry, targeting industrial production index (IIP) growth of 12 - 14%, contributing to the overall growth objectives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The Agency will continue finalizing three circulars and issuing amendments to nine national technical regulations in the chemical sector. It will also strengthen dissemination and training on the Law on Chemicals No. 69/2025/QH15, related decrees and circulars, and Resolution No. 19/2026/NQ-CP to enterprises, localities, and relevant ministries nationwide.

At the same time, it will implement the 2026 thematic inspection plan under Decision No. 338/QD-BCT; intensify surprise inspections under Directive No. 17/CT-BCT; coordinate with the Central Interdisciplinary Task Force to control and strictly handle violations involving industrial precursors and specially controlled chemicals; and strengthen post-inspections of licensed entities.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts of the Vietnam Chemicals Agency in recent times, particularly in implementing laws, decrees, circulars, decentralization, and administrative simplification.

In the coming period, the Minister requested that the Vietnam Chemicals Agency shift from a management approach focused on licensing and administrative procedures to one that promotes sectoral economic development, closely aligned with growth targets set by the Politburo and the Central Committee.

“The Vietnam Chemicals Agency is tasked with reviewing and redefining sector growth objectives, studying a minimum target of around 20%, higher than the current 11 - 12%, and calculating specific indicators instead of relying on general estimates,” the Minister emphasized.

On this basis, the Agency is required to update Vietnam’s chemical industry development strategy, restructure key sub-sectors, particularly materials, pharmaceuticals, and biochemical industries, and strengthen linkages with other industries to form a large-scale chemical sector.

On institutional matters, the Minister requested reassessment of investment incentive mechanisms, land policies, and chemical project planning, as well as an assessment of potential amendments to the Law on Chemicals and related decrees and circulars to ensure alignment with new development objectives.

Regarding science and technology development goals, the Minister urged the Vietnam Chemicals Agency to promote innovation, establish at least three strategic technologies, scientific laboratory systems and scientific infrastructure, upgrade technological capacity, and develop a list of strategic products for the sector.