On November 4, 2025, during the official visit of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Lao PDR to Vietnam, Minister Malaithong Kommasith and his delegation had a working session with Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Joint Stock Company (BSR) and witnessed the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BSR and Somvanchaleun Petroleum Jelly, a Lao petroleum trading company.
Attending the working session were representatives from the Department of Industry, Department of Standards and Metrology, and Domestic Trade Department of the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce. From BSR, attendees included Mr. Bui Ngoc Duong - Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Nguyen Viet Thang - President & CEO, along with members of the Board of Directors, Board of General Directors, Refinery Management, and leaders of relevant functional divisions.
BSR welcomes the delegation of the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Expanding international cooperation and business is one of the strategic priorities in Petrovietnam’s sustainable development and global integration strategy. For BSR, expanding into overseas markets not only helps diversify revenue sources but also minimizes dependence on the domestic market, enhances competitiveness, and strengthens adaptability amid volatile global oil prices and energy demand.
As part of its business development strategy, BSR has been proactively expanding international partnerships, signing long-term product export contracts and MoUs with partners across Southeast Asia - particularly in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, and several emerging East Asian markets.
The signing of the MoU between BSR and Somvanchaleun Petroleum Jelly marks a concrete step following prior discussions between the two sides. On July 8, 2025, a delegation from Somvanchaleun visited Dung Quat Refinery to explore opportunities for cooperation in transportation and distribution of Dung Quat’s products in Laos.
Following a series of working sessions, on July 21, 2025, BSR and Somvanchaleun signed a trial export contract for DO products to Laos by road transport. Between July 24–25, BSR exported approximately 315 m³ of DO in seven tank trucks, which successfully completed customs clearance at Na Meo Border Gate, Thanh Hoa Province, on July 28, 2025. This shipment marked the first successful export of BSR’s DO products to Laos.
To strengthen long-term cooperation, the two companies signed a mini-term contract for a monthly supply volume of approximately 1,500 m³. In early September 2025, BSR exported the second batch of 225 m³ (five tank trucks) of DO to Laos, bringing the total export volume to around 559 m³. For context, Somvanchaleun Petroleum Jelly’s annual petroleum trading volume is around 300,000 m³, all of which is imported.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Bui Ngoc Duong, Chairman of BSR’s Board of Directors, presented an overview of the Company’s formation, development, and future orientation. He emphasized: “We see great potential for development in the Lao market. With our strong capabilities in producing key refined petroleum products such as DO, RON95, RON92, Jet A-1, and polypropylene resins, BSR hopes the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce will facilitate export conditions and introduce special mechanisms to promote these products in Laos.”
Looking ahead, Mr. Bui Ngoc Duong noted that BSR is accelerating its transition toward green production, and Laos could become a supplier of cassava chips for the Dung Quat Ethanol Plant to produce E100 bioethanol, used in blending E10 RON95 fuel - a concrete step in BSR’s green fuel roadmap. The two sides also discussed cooperation in forestry carbon credit exchange, as well as joint exploration of mineral resources for developing new energy and high-value petrochemical products in the future.
He affirmed that with Dung Quat Refinery’s proven production capacity, BSR can fully meet Laos’s demand for high-quality petroleum products, thereby contributing to strengthening Vietnam-Laos energy cooperation amid deepening regional integration.
Minister Malaithong Kommasith highly appreciated BSR’s production capacity and reputation, stressing that the MoU signing is an important milestone toward developing a stable and sustainable petroleum market that benefits both sides.
The Minister affirmed that the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce will support BSR in expanding petroleum exports - including DO, RON95, RON92, Jet A-1, and other products - to Laos. The Ministry will also consider preferential import policies to facilitate faster and more efficient customs clearance. Currently, Laos’s annual petroleum demand is around 1.8–2 million tons, requiring a stable and competitively priced supply source.
Minister Kommasith also assigned relevant departments within the Lao Ministry to review BSR’s proposals on green materials, mineral resources, and logistics costs to enhance cooperation between BSR and Somvanchaleun, as well as other Lao companies in the petroleum and mining sectors. BSR will send a delegation to Laos to conduct further market, transportation, and storage assessments, paving the way for deeper collaboration in the near future.
Mr. Nguyen Viet Thang, President & CEO of BSR, and Mr. Angtaen Saysomphone, General Director of Somvanchaleun Petroleum Jelly, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation
At the ceremony, under the witness of Minister Malaithong Kommasith, Mr. Nguyen Viet Thang - President & CEO of BSR, and Mr. Angtaen Saysomphone - General Director of Somvanchaleun Petroleum Jelly, officially signed the MoU, affirming mutual understanding on principles, cooperation scope, and joint responsibilities to increase export volumes and expand product categories to Laos.
This signing ceremony marks a significant milestone in BSR’s international business expansion strategy - reinforcing the prestige and brand of a leading Vietnamese refinery, while contributing to deepening Vietnam–Laos friendship and comprehensive cooperation. It also represents an important step forward in BSR’s plan to broaden export markets across Southeast Asia, supporting Petrovietnam’s vision of sustainable growth and international integration.
The Lao delegation visits Dung Quat Refinery
Currently, Laos imports 100% of its petroleum demand, with about 90% sourced from Thailand and 10% from Vietnam and other countries. Expanding cooperation between BSR and Lao partners therefore carries not only economic significance but also contributes to energy and socio-economic security in Laos. Both sides aim to increase Vietnam’s share of petroleum supply to at least 30%, fostering more effective bilateral cooperation and sustainable growth for both nations.
BSR