Vietnam cement sales climbed by 13.9 per cent YoY in 2013, exceeding the full-year target by 7.5 per cent, according to the Ministry of Construction (MoC).

Latest figures by the MoC show that sales reached 61Mt for the year, including 47Mt of domestic dispatches (up 3.4 per cent YoY) and 14Mt of exports (up by 6Mt).

Domestic output, however, is nearly 70Mt and the supply-demand imbalance remains a concern.. Last year the MoC received government approval to cancel nine cement projects, each with a clinker capacity of 2500tpd. These projects, which have been removed from the country's cement master plan are: Ha Tien-Kien Giang, Truong Son- Ro Li, Hop Son, Ngoc Ha, Vinafuji Lao Cai, Thanh Truong, Son Duong, Quang Minh and Cao Bang,

The government has also agreed to extend the deadline for the construction of seven other projects to after 2015, namely: He Duong II, My Duc, Thanh Son, Tan Thang, Do Luong, Tan Phu Xuan and Nam Dong to after 2015.

For 2014, cement sales are forecast o rise by 1.5-3 per cent YoY to reach 62-63Mt, comprising 48.5-49Mt of domestic sales and 13.5-14Mt of exports.