VNEEP - National progaram on Energy Efficer and Conservation

Vietnam still has no standard available to assess green buildings in urban areas and high-rise constructions, said the Vietnam Architects Association.

“We are compiling a set of assessment standards for high buildings and urban areas,” said Nguyen Van Tat, vice chairman of the architects association, to the Daily at the seminar on green solutions for project development on Thursday.

The standards are estimated for completion late this year and aimed to encourage investors to join the trend of energy saving in urban development, creating a harmonious living environment for human beings.

The association would recommend seven standards to assess green buildings in Vietnam, including the efficient use of land, energy, water and building materials, indoor environment quality, waste reduction and climate change adaptation.

Green architecture has recently become a trend for urban development, with the goal to offer sustainable living for citizens.

However, green building construction may push up investment costs to two or three time higher than those applying normal designs. Local investors avoid spending much on energy-saving materials, resulting in a lack of green buildings in Vietnam, Tat said.

After the assessment standards are released, the Ministry of Construction would also issue a set of technical standards applicable to green building development in Vietnam, said Nguyen Huu Dung, head of the Institute for Urban Environment and Industry of Vietnam.

Numerous investors of high-rise buildings in Vietnam do not care about the efficiency in energy and water use as well as wastewater and rainwater recycling. Therefore, the Government should issue preferential policies on application of green designs in urban areas and buildings, Dung said.

By LM