Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction (MoC) has announced plans to develop the country’s first national green building standards, aimed at aligning the construction industry with its net-zero goals and promoting sustainable urban growth. The green buildings and transport are central to Vietnam’s green economy, noting that over 600 certified projects now cover 17 million sq m nationwide, alongside rapid adoption of electric cars and buses.
The MoC will immediately begin drafting the green building criteria to ensure public and transparent implementation. Officials acknowledged progress in policy and legal frameworks but cited challenges such as limited awareness beyond major cities, low access to green financing, high investment costs, and insufficient skilled personnel. The ministry plans to address these through preferential financing, workforce training, and awareness campaigns promoting eco-friendly materials and technologies.
Experts from government and international organisations, including the IFC, stressed that green construction is crucial for emissions reduction, resilience, and competitiveness. IFC noted that buildings account for up to 40 per cent of global energy-related emissions and reaffirmed its support for Vietnam’s transition through initiatives such as the EDGE certification and climate-risk assessment tools. Developers called for Vietnam’s own locally adapted standards, saying they would provide a strong foundation for wider industry adoption.