Excursion: Exploring Cement & Concrete Tech at Mekong Concrete and AAC Plants

On February 04, 2026, as a core component of the Inorganic, Non-Metallic Binders module, Master of Science in Materials Science (MSI) students at VGU embarked on a comprehensive, double-excursion to two leading construction-material manufacturers in Long An.

Accompanied by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Bier and Dr. Duong Hieu Linh, the field trip gave students a firsthand look at two highly contrasting binder systems—from ultra-lightweight civil building components to massive high-strength structural concrete elements used for international airports and deep infrastructure.

🏛️ Morning Session: The Science of Lightweight Porous Concrete (AAC Plant)

The morning session was dedicated to exploring Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) and reinforced elements—technologies that are revolutionizing civil and residential building designs due to their high energy efficiency.

Students toured the highly automated production facilities and learned about:

• Binder Chemistry & Porosity Control: How gypsum, lime, and cement are reacted with aluminum powder to generate hydrogen gas, producing a high-strength, cellular structure with optimized weight.
• Material Advantages: Hands-on analysis of AAC's superior characteristics, including flame retardancy, rapid construction capability, acoustic barriers, and thermal insulation.
• Eco-Friendly Manufacturing: The complete absence of high-temperature firing, dramatically lowering carbon footprints compared to traditional red-clay bricks.

!NOTEMSI Takeaway: Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is a premier example of how materials scientists engineer micro-porous systems to deliver high structural stability alongside extremely low thermal conductivity.

🏗️ Afternoon Session: Heavy-Duty Structural Concrete (Mekong Concrete Plant)

In the afternoon, the excursion transitioned from lightweight materials to massive, heavy-duty structural concrete at the Mekong Concrete Plant in Long An. This plant manufactures precast and ready-mixed concrete designed to withstand extreme loads in major civil infrastructure projects.

Students observed:

• High-Strength Precast Elements: The manufacturing of structural beams, massive foundations, and customized structural pieces engineered for airports and deep civil works.
• Extreme Durability Engineering: Formulations designed to resist high mechanical loads, chemical aggression, and wear over long service lives.
• Contrasting Material Classes: Exploring the physical differences in aggregate selection, water-binder ratios, and steel reinforcement compared to the aerated civil concrete studied in the morning.

🔬 Broadening Horizons in Materials Engineering

This double-session field trip gave VGU MSI students a balanced, real-world understanding of the construction materials sector. Seeing the direct translation of binder technology and material characterization from the classroom to automated, high-precision factory floors prepares our graduates to step straight into high-value engineering roles.

We thank the teams at both plants and our flying faculty for organizing this outstanding industry-immersion day!