Carlsberg has entered the final phase of a nearly USD 90 million expansion at its Phu Bai brewery in Hue, central Vietnam. Trial runs have already started, and inauguration with full-scale production is scheduled for late August 2025. The upgrade will lift annual capacity from 3.6 million hl to 6.0 million hl, making Phu Bai not only the company’s largest beer production site in Asia but also one of its most productive globally in terms of labor efficiency.
The expansion replaces a 48,000-can-per-hour line with one capable of producing 120,000 cans per hour, complementing two existing bottle lines, another can line, and a keg line. In 2023, the brewery produced 3.399 million hl; in 2024, 4.077 million hl. The target for 2025 is 4.871 million hl, well within the new capacity and leaving room for further growth and export potential.
At a meeting with Hue city officials on August 7, company representatives highlighted the brewery’s importance as a major local employer with more than 3,800 direct and indirect jobs, and as a significant taxpayer. Carlsberg called for city support to ensure the new line launches on schedule, promote traditional beer consumption, and crack down on unlicensed craft beer, counterfeit, and knockoff products.
Local authorities praised the brewer’s contribution and encouraged integrating sales activities with Hue’s cultural heritage, suggesting participation in major events such as the Hue Festival, Ao Dai Festival, and Royal Night. Present in Vietnam since 1993, Carlsberg commands a strong share of the central Vietnam beer market, particularly through its Huda brand.
Despite the enlargement, Carlsberg remains one of the smaller players in Vietnam’s beer market: SABECO, controlled by Thai Beverage and recently strengthened through its acquisition of Sabibeco, now produces 30.1 million hl per year (inside.beer, 29.12.2024), while Heineken Vietnam follows closely at 27.8 million hl. Third in line is HABECO with 8 million hl now followed by Carlsberg. Sapporo (1.5 million hl) and AB InBev (about 1.3 million hl) play only a minor role in scale (inside.beer, 22.05.2022).
