Core Viewpoint - Vietnam's National Assembly has passed an amendment to the Law on Minerals, designating rare earths as a strategically important resource under strict state control and prohibiting the export of rare earth ores [1] Group 1: Legislative Changes - The amendment will take effect on January 1, 2026, requiring all rare earth exploration, mining, and processing activities to align with the national rare earth strategy and overall planning [1] - Only government-designated or authorized entities will be permitted to conduct rare earth exploration, mining, and processing activities [1] - The Vietnamese government will manage geological data uniformly, regulate trade, and maintain appropriate reserves of rare earths [1] Group 2: Resource Availability - According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Vietnam has an estimated rare earth reserve of approximately 3.5 million tons, ranking sixth in the world [2]