Following the MOU signing ceremony between EuroCham Vietnam, its Construction Sector Committee, and SACA on 11 December 2024, EuroCham Vietnam hosted an insightful Breakfast Talk on the Rise of Social Housing in Vietnam. The talk highlighted the growing demand for social housing, and the need for innovative solutions and strong policy support.
Exploring lessons from Singapore’s public housing model
Mr. Bernard Low, General Director of Surbana Jurong Pte Ltd (Vietnam), delivered a keynote address that offered valuable insights into Singapore’s Housing & Development Board (HDB) as a case study. The speech highlighted key aspects of Singapore’s public housing model, which has been in operation since the 1960s, focusing on sustainable design principles and housing financial mechanisms. He also provided recommendations for tailoring these practices to suit Vietnam’s specific needs.
The panel discussion, moderated by Mr. Freek Jansen, Branch Manager Southeast Asia at Dewan Architects and Vice Chairman of EuroCham Construction Sector Committee, delved into the challenges and opportunities of social housing in Vietnam. He highlighted the importance of involving and collaborating between many stakeholders, including governments and businesses. The rise of social housing is relatively new but gaining momentum in Vietnam.
Addressing the growing need in Vietnam
The insights from the panel provided valuable recommendations to the government on how to structure social housing effectively in the country. Mr. Mirko Feldkamp, Senior Center of Competence Precast Technologies at Rieckermann, emphasised the need for flexible and innovative design approaches to meet international standards, drawing inspiration from Singapore’s best practices. Mr. Bernard Low stressed the importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals, emphasising accessibility and improved living standards over profitability. Mr. Vu Linh Quang, Deputy Head of SACA Sustainable Development Sector, addressed sustainable building design, including the application of solar panels and eco-friendly materials, and advocated for designing social housing tailored to Vietnam’s needs. Mr. Matteo Mascaro, Head of Design Management at Bitexco JSC, shared the opportunities for social housing in Vietnam, along with insights on integrating sustainable practices into building design.
This event underscored the growing demand for social housing in Vietnam, highlighting the critical need for innovative solutions and robust policy support. It showcased the valuable lessons that Vietnam could learn from Singapore’s HDB model, particularly in sustainable design and financial mechanisms. The partnership between EuroCham Vietnam, its Construction Sector Committee and SACA demonstrates the potential of collaborative advocacy to drive policy improvements and industry standards, shaping the future of sustainable urban development in Vietnam.
Looking ahead, we aim to bring the social housing topic to the attention of government stakeholders, fostering a stronger and more innovative construction industry.
Interested in joining the EuroCham Construction Sector Committee? Contact Ms. Linh Dinh, Coordinator of the EuroCham Construction Sector Committee, at linh.dinh@eurochamvn.org.
