The Vietnam Cement Corporation so far this year has produced and sold 6.5Mt of cement, representing 59 per cent of its yearly target. The corporation has reportedly faced many difficulties this year due to the increasing prices of materials such as petroleum, clinker and gypsum, and the unstable supply of coal and power. However, the corporation instructed its members to fully use their production capacity, rationally distribute clinker and cement to localities and ensure a regular reserve of over 1.2Mt of cement to meet the market demand. It also took measures to maintain cement prices. In April and May, the demand for cement increased by 70 per cent as compared to the first two months of this year, but the cement market remained stable.  
 
In addition, the corporation paid attention to the construction of new plants. It put into operation the Tam Diep Cement Plant in the first quarter and expects to launch the Hai Phong Cement Plant later this year. Other projects to build Hoang Thach Cement Plant 3, and expand But Son and Bim Son Cement Plants will be accelerated to put them into operation soon – according to local reports.