EuroCham Vietnam’s inaugural Tall Building Forum draws industry leaders and policymakers to explore the future of urban living

On  Tuesday, 28 May, EuroCham Vietnam and our Construction Sector Committee hosted the inaugural Tall Building Forum in Ho Chi Minh City. This event, supported by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, brought together more than 170 participants from the construction industry to discuss the challenges and opportunities of sustainable urban development in Vietnam.

Vietnam’s rapidly growing cities face a critical challenge: balancing rapid growth with environmental stewardship. The Tall Building Forum confronted this challenge head-on, fostering a vibrant dialogue on technologies and strategies to ensure Vietnam’s urban expansion is not only robust but also responsible.

In his opening address, Dominik Meichle, Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam, championed international collaboration as a cornerstone for achieving these goals. “This forum represents a unique opportunity for Vietnam and Team Europe to come together to reimagine our cities. By working together, we can construct urban environments that are not only more impressive, but also more environmentally conscious,” he said.

This sentiment was echoed by Michel Cassagnes, Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam’s Construction Sector Committee, who emphasised the shared responsibility for sustainable development: “The future of our cities depends on our collective commitment to building smarter, not just bigger.” He lauded the forum for paving the way for “approaches that benefit both our economies and our environment.” 

The commitment to sustainable urban development extends beyond Vietnam’s borders. EuroCham Cambodia successfully carried this momentum forward by hosting the 2024 edition of its established forum in Phnom Penh on 30 May, demonstrating the European business community’s ongoing dedication to responsible growth and innovation across Southeast Asia.

The forum in Ho Chi Minh City featured insightful sessions moderated by industry experts, each addressing vital aspects of tall building construction and sustainability:

• Tall Success: Showcasing Merdeka 118 Tower – A presentation on Merdeka 118 Tower, the tallest building in Southeast Asia, showcasing its cutting-edge construction technologies and sustainable design practises.
• Tall Building Impact in Urban Context: Showcasing The Global City – A case study on The Global City & Masterise Homes, exploring the impact of high-rise developments on urban landscapes.
• Tall & Small in Dense Cities – A discussion on the coexistence of tall and small buildings, promoting harmonious and inclusive urban development.
• Building Tall & Sustainable: Technologies & Methodologies Update – A review of the latest sustainable construction technologies, focusing on reducing the environmental impact of building materials and incorporating greenery into tall structures.
• Affordable Tall: Reviving Vertical Living? – An exploration of the landscape for affordable housing, featuring innovative construction methods and sustainable practises aligned with COP initiatives.

EuroCham Vietnam extends our gratitude to our valued sponsors who made the event possible:

• Gold Sponsor: The Global City
• Silver Sponsors: Kone, Jotun Paints
• Bronze Sponsors: Sika Vietnam, Windtech Consultants

Our sincere gratitude also goes out to our moderators and speakers coming from all over the world.

For further insights and materials from the forum, please explore the following resources:

• Photos of the event
• Presentation slides
• Digital brochure