Vietnamese and US managers, researchers, consultants and constructors have gathered in Hanoi to discuss standards and solutions for green building practices in Vietnam .

At the April 16 workshop, co-organised by the Vietnam Ministry of Construction and the US Embassy, US participants shared experience to help Vietnam access US expertise, technology and best practices in designing, building and managing green establishments’ operations.

US Ambassador David Shear highly valued the ministry’s attention to green and energy-saving facilities, citing the under-construction Parliament House in Hanoi as an example.

Green and energy-saving facilities would bring benefits to environmental protection and sustainable development while mitigating adverse impacts of climate change, green-house emissions as well as energy costs for users, according to the ambassador.

Construction Minister Trinh Dinh Dung said that Vietnam is experiencing a rapid urbanisation with 765 urban areas where account for 32.45 percent of the country’s population.

The number of urban residents in Vietnam is forecast to hit 52 million by 2025, making up 50 percent of the nation’s population.

The fact has brought about a growing demand for construction and fossil fuels as well, which causes environmental pollution, he said.

The ministry said it is formulating a strategy on developing green facilities for the period from now to 2020 with a vision toward 2030 and criteria for assessment of energy-saving projects.

Vietnam and the US are effectively coordinating in the research, application and development of green facilities.

Through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US has assisted the Construction Ministry and the Industry and Trade Ministry of Vietnam in enhancing capacity in collecting, managing, analysing and using energy data in making decisions on state management.

The US side has also helped Vietnam improve energy efficiency of buildings, promote public-private investment and implement pilot renewable energy projects.-VNA