More and more green architecture awards have been given to buildings in Vietnam, proving the country's effort to develop construction works friendly to the environment. (Photo: vietnamnet.vn)

The green movement was launched in the 1990s to reduce greenhouse effects during the construction process. The development of green buildings will bring great benefits to the national economy, society, the environment, and added values, and create sustainable growth for the construction sector and real estate market.

Economists say there are many ways to understand what a green work is. They might be green trees, architecture, materials, energy and natural resource saving, and waste recycling. Each factor can contribute to the formation of a green work.

Dang Hung Vo, former Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, said: “It’s important to increase the production of solar and wind energy, and to produce and transport construction materials without causing greenhouse effects.”

The most obvious benefit of green works is to cut transport costs which often make up more than 80% of investment spending through which to increase the value of assets, speed up the time to return investment capital, and attract more customers.

The development of green buildings for housing for low and middle income people has become urgent in Vietnam, particularly when climate change and energies have been exhausted.

Nguyen Thu Nhan in charge of Vietnam Green Work Management Program said: “Investors play the vanguard role. When work is completed, investment capital only grows 1.2% but they can save 20% of energy, materials, and water.”

Nguyen Tran Nam, President of Vietnam Real Estate Association, underlined the importance of promulgating specific mechanisms for investors to build more green buildings. He said: “We need compulsory, mobilizing mechanisms as well as tax and land use, to share initial costs with investors.”