The cost is not high.
According to Master Nguyen Duc Vinh – Deputy Head of the Social Housing Management and Development Department, Department of Housing and Real Estate Market Management ( Ministry of Construction ), the main reasons for the limitations and shortcomings in the development of energy-saving and environmentally friendly housing projects in Vietnam include insufficient awareness of environmental protection and energy efficiency in housing development, and limited application of science and technology.
Furthermore, the investment cost for these types of housing projects is usually 1-2% higher than that of conventional housing. In addition, there is a lack of promotion and advertising about the benefits of energy-efficient housing projects, so investors and customers buying, renting, or leasing housing pay little attention to this segment.
However, Nguyen Cong Bao, CEO of Fico Tay Ninh Cement Joint Stock Company, said that choosing appropriate green criteria and building materials is one of the ways to help green buildings in general, and social housing in particular, achieve the goal of not incurring additional costs.
Project investors can easily find "green" building materials and products at competitive prices without increasing costs. Concrete with a recycled content of 25-30% from blast furnace slag or fly ash; or steel produced using blast furnace or electric arc technology – utilizing recycled steel and reducing CO2 emissions. Specifically, Fico Tay Ninh's green-label cement emits only 350-600 kg of CO2 per ton, 30-70% less than commonly used Portland cement worldwide.
The clinker content in Fico's green-label cement is 53.6%, significantly lower than the Vietnamese requirement of a maximum of 65% by 2030 and 60% by 2050. The raw materials for this green-label cement are blast furnace slag, a byproduct of steelmaking blast furnaces, or fly ash from thermal power plants.
“At the same price and with the same quality, we can choose a product whose emissions are calculated by the consulting firm to be lower. Green-label cement can help buildings achieve their emission reduction targets significantly, without incurring substantial additional costs,” shared Mr. Nguyen Cong Bao.
Guidance is needed to scale up.
Regarding solutions, Master's degree holder Nguyen Duc Vinh outlined four immediate goals that need to be focused on. Firstly, to research and issue, or supplement, regulations and standards for housing regarding new designs, techniques, and construction technologies aimed at improving housing quality, in line with the trend of developing green, sustainable, smart housing, and applying digital technology.
Simultaneously, strengthen inspection and monitoring activities related to the application and implementation of housing regulations and standards. Develop mechanisms and policies to encourage the application of regulations and standards to existing residential areas of households and individuals, in conjunction with urban renovation and upgrading.
Secondly, supplement mechanisms and policies to encourage and incentivize organizations and individuals to participate in the development of green, energy-efficient, and low-emission housing, applying digital technology. At the same time, strengthen communication and promotion of the benefits of energy-efficient housing projects to attract and develop this type of housing.
Thirdly, strengthen the application of science and technology, research and apply new housing designs, techniques and technologies, new materials, and digital technologies to save costs, lower housing construction prices, and simultaneously use energy efficiently and reduce emissions.
Finally, focus on implementing the tasks assigned in Directive No. 34-CT/TW dated May 24, 2024, of the Party Central Committee on strengthening the Party's leadership over social housing development in the new situation, Decision No. 927/QD-TTg dated August 30, 2024, of the Prime Minister promulgating the Plan for implementing Directive No. 34-CT/TW, and Decision No. 338/QD-TTg dated April 3, 2023, of the Prime Minister approving the Project "Investing in the construction of at least 1 million social housing units for low-income earners and industrial park workers in the period 2021 - 2030".
Regarding this issue, Dr. Trinh Hong Viet, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Architecture, suggested that energy-efficient social housing projects should be developed in the immediate future. To achieve this, one of the necessary steps is to issue guidelines for constructing energy-efficient social housing.
However, to develop green buildings, it is necessary to establish many guidelines such as ceiling cost limits for green practices; operational guidelines… as well as achieving the basic criteria of green buildings, building height, ensuring energy efficiency….
“We need to develop green and energy-efficient social housing because it not only helps create a better life for residents, especially those in difficult circumstances, by reducing electricity and water costs, improving health, productivity, and property value; but also reduces CO2 emissions, helping to address climate change,” expressed Dr. Architect Trinh Hong Viet.
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