Vietnam has 300 certified green buildings on a total floor area of 7 million sq m, according to the Ministry of Construction (MoC).

The figure, however, remains modest compared to the number of construction projects in the country and its potential and need for using energy and natural resources economically and efficiently with an eye towards environmental protection, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tuong Van said.

Green buildings, sustainable development, and climate change adaptation are important topics in the construction and urban development sector, he told a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on September 17 regarding policies and solutions to promote green building development.

Promoting green buildings in the urbanization process would benefit people, their future generations, and the environment, he said.

Green buildings began to be developed around the world in 1990 and have become a construction trend in more than 100 countries and territories. They first began to appear in Vietnam in 2005-2010, and the country now ranks 28^th in the world in the number of green buildings certified by the US Green Building Council.

The workshop was held as part of the Vietnam Green Building Week 2023, an annual event held by the Ministry of Construction in response to World Green Building Week. It is scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City on September 27-28.

The Vietnam Green Building Week 2023 is expected to contribute to enhancing awareness among stakeholders about promoting green and energy-efficient buildings. This is also a specific action of Vietnam, in the hope of implementing international commitments in responding to climate change and promoting sustainable development.