Haocool
A customer from Lao Cai, Vietnam, recently contacted us. He runs a vegetable farming cooperative. They grow onions, okra, beetroot, zucchini, asparagus, melons, and snow mustard greens. His problem was simple: the harvest season is short, and prices drop when everyone sells at the same time. He wanted a cold room to keep vegetables fresh longer, sell off‑season, and increase the cooperative’s income.
His main question: how much does a 100m² vegetable cold storage cost in Vietnam?
Below I’ll walk you through the actual design we proposed and the final budget.
The Customer’s Requirement
- Total floor area: 103 m² (close to 100 m²)
- Ceiling height: 3.8 metres
- Total volume: 391 m³
- Number of rooms: 2 separate chambers (for different product groups)
- Expected storage capacity: 80–90 tons of mixed vegetables
- Temperature: 4–8°C (standard for most vegetables, avoiding chilling injury)
Having two chambers is smart – one can be opened for daily loading while the other stays closed, saving energy. Also, different vegetables can be stored at slightly different temperatures if needed.
What We Proposed
Insulation Panels
- Five sides (walls + ceiling): 100mm thick polyurethane double‑face steel panels. This thickness is enough for 4–8°C in Vietnam’s climate.
- The floor is assumed to be existing concrete – we only insulate walls and ceiling.
Refrigeration System (per chamber)
- One 10HP Copeland box‑type top‑discharge air‑cooled condensing unit (includes condenser, solenoid valve, etc.) per room. Copeland is a reliable brand, widely available in Vietnam.
- Two DL55 series evaporators per room (total 4 units for both chambers). DL55 is good for medium‑temperature fresh storage.
This setup provides even air distribution and allows each chamber to run independently.
Estimated Total Cost in Lao Cai, Vietnam
Based on equipment, materials, shipping to Lao Cai, installation, and commissioning, the total cost for this 100m² vegetable cold storage is:
$28,000 – $35,000 USD
(About 700–880 million Vietnamese Dong, depending on exchange rates.)
The price includes:
- Insulation panels (100mm polyurethane) and sealing materials
- Two 10HP Copeland condensing units
- Four DL55 evaporators
- Refrigeration piping, valves, and refrigerant
- Electrical control panels (basic, with defrost timers)
- Installation labour and training
- One‑year warranty on parts and labour
It does not include the building itself, foundation, or electrical supply from the main panel to the cold room.
Why This Budget Is Competitive
We compared our quote with other cold storage companies in northern Vietnam. The price we offered was very competitive for the same specifications. If you want a detailed cost breakdown for your own project, contact a cold storage provider with local experience.
For more general information on pricing, check out our cold storage construction cost page. And to see what a proper vegetable cold storage unit looks like, browse our vegetable cold room guides.
Factors That Could Change the Price
| Factor | Impact on cost |
|---|---|
| Ceiling height (higher than 3.8m) | Increases volume, needs larger panels and more cooling power |
| Thicker insulation (120mm instead of 100mm) | +10–15% but saves energy long‑term |
| Premium compressor brand (e.g., Bitzer instead of Copeland) | +15–20% |
| Extra chambers (e.g., 3 rooms instead of 2) | Adds $8,000–12,000 |
| Remote monitoring system | +$1,500–2,500 |