Vietnam is home to approximately 500 gold mining sites across the country. According to statistics from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the following are the largest gold mines by reserves.

Recently, news of the discovery of 40 new gold mines in the Northwest region of Vietnam, with a combined reserve of about 30 tons - valued at more than USD 3 billion - has sparked significant public interest. Of these 40 mines, 14 are classified as medium-sized, while the remaining 26 are small-scale operations.

In addition to these newly discovered mines, Vietnam currently has about 500 gold mining sites nationwide. Among them, the following are considered to have the largest reserves:

Bong Mieu gold mine (Quang Nam): Over 20 tons in reserve

img_7888 2.jpg

Illegal gold mining in Bong Mieu (Photo: Natural Resources & Environment Magazine)

According to an approved mineral exploration report by the National Mineral Reserve Evaluation Council, Vietnam possesses around 25,084 kilograms of primary gold.

Among these, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) identifies the Bong Mieu gold mine, located in Tam Lanh commune, Phu Ninh district, Quang Nam province, as the country’s largest by reserves.

Bong Mieu is often referred to as the "gold territory" of Quang Nam, serving as a vital economic resource for the province by generating employment and contributing significantly to the provincial budget.

The Bong Mieu mine has been managed and exploited by Bong Mieu Gold Mining Co., Ltd. since 1992. However, its license expired in March 2016, and the company was declared bankrupt in 2018. Since then, the lack of regulation has led to widespread illegal gold mining activities by locals and outsiders.

In March 2022, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment approved a plan allowing Quang Nam province to officially close the mine. By August 2022, the province had invested nearly USD 850,000 to seal it.

"Gold mountain" Dak Sa in Phuoc Son (Quang Nam): Over 7 tons in reserve

Ảnh màn hình 2025 04 04 lúc 21.44.21.png
A view of the Dak Sa gold mine in Phuoc Duc commune, Phuoc Son district, Quang Nam province. Photo: People's Police Newspaper

The Dak Sa gold mine in Phuoc Son, Quang Nam, is also among Vietnam’s largest. It has an estimated reserve of over 7 tons. In 2012 alone, this mine produced between 1 and 1.2 tons of pure gold annually, with ore containing between 5 and 15 grams of gold per ton.

Currently, Phuoc Son Gold Company Ltd. holds the mining rights at two key sites - Bai Dat and Bai Go - within the Dak Sa mine area, under the framework of the Phuoc Son Gold Ore Mining Project.

However, in early February 2025, the Vietnam Department of Geology and Minerals issued a document requesting Quang Nam province to provide its opinion on a proposal to close the Dak Sa gold mine.

Pac Lang gold mine (Bac Kan)

Pac Lang is a large primary gold deposit, covering nearly 25 square kilometers in Duc Van and Thuong Quan communes, Ngan Son district, Bac Kan province.

First discovered and mined in the 19th century, the mine is located on the southern slope of a mountain approximately 1,090 meters high, about 5 kilometers in a straight line - or over 20 kilometers by road - from National Highway 3.

The Pac Lang mine features complex geological structures with high-purity gold ore, drawing interest from both investors and geologists.

From 2007 to the end of 2011, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment licensed a joint venture between ARV (UK), the Vietnam National Minerals Corporation, and Bac Kan Minerals Joint Stock Company to explore the mine’s gold reserves and associated minerals.

During this four-year exploration, Bac Kan Minerals invested over USD 2.7 million into the joint venture. All documents and findings have been submitted to the appropriate authorities.

Gold mines around Doi Bu (Hoa Binh): Approximately 10 tons in reserve

Primary gold mines in northern mountainous areas are highly concentrated, especially in the region around Doi Bu in Hoa Binh, including sites such as Cao Ram, Da Bac, and Kim Boi, with a total reserve of about 10 tons.

According to assessments by the Ministry of Industry, this is a promising gold-rich region worthy of investment in exploration, mining, and processing. Plans have been suggested to establish a gold industry zone with a production capacity of around 1 ton of gold annually.

Na Pai gold mine (Lang Son): 3.3 tons in reserve

Located in Bac Son district, Lang Son province, the Na Pai gold mine is among the most important in northeastern Vietnam. It is situated deep in a remote forested area, far from residential communities.

Currently, Na Pai is being mined using traditional methods without modern equipment. Annual output ranges from 0.8 to 1.5 tons of gold.

Y Nhuy