A promising alternative material

Natural sand deposits in the province are not formed in mines but are concentrated in hydropower reservoirs and riverbeds with very limited reserves. According to the Department of Construction, demand for sand used in ordinary construction materials from 2022 to 2025 is estimated at over 1.2 million m³, and by 2030, the demand is projected to exceed 1.9 million m³.

As demand rises and natural sand dwindles, manufactured sand is seen as a viable solution.

Trần Đăng Ninh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hoàng Anh Trading and Service Investment Co., Ltd., noted: “Manufactured sand offers many advantages. Its grain size and gradation can be adjusted for different concrete mixes, and harmful impurities like clay and silt can be controlled. It also helps reduce costs, lower prices, and protect the environment.”

To date, four enterprises in the province have invested in production lines for manufactured sand with a combined capacity of around 200,000 m³ per year. Several major provincial projects have already used it, such as the expansion of Điện Biên Airport, key road infrastructure connecting economic zones along National Highways 279 and 12, and the new administrative center’s regulating reservoir.

Struggling to gain acceptance

Despite its advantages, manufactured sand has yet to be widely adopted in construction projects across the province, largely due to cautious market perceptions.

Resident Khúc Thi Kim Nhung from Điện Biên Phủ ward admitted: “Even though it is more expensive, I still prefer natural sand for building my house. I’ve heard of manufactured sand, but since it’s new and not widely used, I worry about its long-term quality.”

Private projects are hesitant, and public projects face even greater hurdles due to regulatory gaps. At the Project and Land Development Management Board Zone 1, which oversees 21 projects, 100% still use natural sand.

Deputy Head of Project Management, Nhâm Đức Thiện, explained: “Without technical standards or specific guidelines on manufactured sand for state-funded projects, we lack a legal basis to apply it. Once clear regulations are issued, we will consider its use based on local realities.”

Concerns over quality, incomplete technical benchmarks, and cost discrepancies have left manufactured sand struggling to find its place in the provincial market.

Even companies that have invested heavily face challenges. Trần Đăng Ninh acknowledged that although his firm installed a modern production line with a capacity of 120,000 m³ per year, actual consumption has reached only about 35% of that figure.

Nguyễn Đình Nghiệp, Director of Minh Quý Điện Biên Co., Ltd., added: “Manufacturing requires costly washing, water filtration, and sludge treatment systems. Meanwhile, official labor cost norms remain at VND 250,000 per day, far below the real market rate of VND 350,000-500,000 per day. This mismatch makes it difficult to compete and sustain operations.”

Removing barriers for manufactured sand

To provide a legal framework, the Department of Construction issued Decision No. 2499/QĐ-SXD (November 26, 2021) on material mix ratios using manufactured sand. However, these cover only concrete in construction and asphalt concrete for transport projects. Standards for masonry, plastering, and foundation fill are still missing, leaving manufactured sand at a disadvantage.

Bùi Đức Giang, Chairman of the provincial Business Association, said: “On August 12, we petitioned the Provincial People’s Committee and relevant agencies to adjust manufactured sand prices to reflect real costs and to expedite the issuance of technical benchmarks. This will help supplement material supplies, support businesses, and ensure progress on key provincial projects.”

In response, provincial construction authorities announced plans to send working groups in Q3 2025 to guide businesses on determining production costs of materials like sand, stone, and bricks. This will provide a basis for adjusting published construction material prices to reflect actual market levels.

For manufactured sand specifically, the department is drafting over 100 benchmark codes covering concrete, masonry, plastering, and asphalt works, and is commissioning consultants to prepare a comprehensive “Manufactured Sand Standards Manual,” expected by November 2025. Once issued, it will create a foundation for the material’s widespread adoption, particularly in state-funded projects.