# Japan and Vietnam partner on critical minerals to bypass China

*The pact targets joint exploration and refining across Vietnam's 22 million tons of rare earth deposits, aiming for $80 billion in trade by 2030.*

**Published:** November 10, 2026  
**By:** Ryo Matsuda  
**Section:** Energy & Critical Minerals — Japan  
**Format:** Policy Tracker  
**Confidence:** high  
**Source:** https://eastasiabrief.com/energy-minerals/japan-vietnam-partner-critical-minerals-bypass-china-1320  
**Publisher:** East Asia Brief (https://eastasiabrief.com/)

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## What to know

- METI and Vietnam sign bilateral critical minerals framework on Nov. 10
- Vietnam holds 22 million metric tons of rare earth reserves, 18% of global supply
- Working-level technical panels convene in first quarter 2027 to set project terms

![A worker operates machinery at an industrial processing plant as Vietnam works to develop its critical mineral supply chain. (AI-generated image)](https://eastasiabrief.com/media/2026-11-10-f590639e0d41.webp)
*A worker operates machinery at an industrial processing plant as Vietnam works to develop its critical mineral supply chain. (AI-generated image)*

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry published details of an agreement with Vietnam on Nov. 10 to establish joint critical mineral supply chains, targeting alternative rare earth processing channels outside China.

Vietnam holds an estimated 22 million metric tons of rare earth reserves, accounting for roughly 18% of global deposits, according to the United States Geological Survey. Most of those reserves remain unmined due to processing constraints.

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Cite as: East Asia Brief, "Japan and Vietnam partner on critical minerals to bypass China," November 10, 2026. https://eastasiabrief.com/energy-minerals/japan-vietnam-partner-critical-minerals-bypass-china-1320