What Is Green Building Certification? How to Achieve Green Building Certification in Vietnam

Amid growing climate challenges and the urgent call for carbon reduction, green building certification has become the new standard for modern construction projects. It is not only a “passport” for demonstrating corporate social responsibility but also a key advantage in reducing operational costs and enhancing brand reputation.

What Is Green Building Certification?

Green Building Certification is a framework that evaluates and recognizes buildings that meet specific criteria in energy efficiency, resource conservation, environmental protection, and user health and comfort.

In Vietnam, several certification systems are commonly adopted:

LEED (USA)

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is the most widely recognized international certification system. It uses a point-based structure with four levels: Certified (40–49), Silver (50–59), Gold (60–79), and Platinum (≥80).

Categories include Integrative Process, Location & Transportation, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation. Among these, optimizing Energy & Atmosphere typically yields the highest score contribution.

LOTUS (Vietnam)

Developed by the Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC), LOTUS is tailored to Vietnam’s climate and local materials. It has a similar framework to Green Star or LEED and features four levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

A minimum number of prerequisites and total points (typically 40) are required for certification. LOTUS is ideal for projects seeking to align with Vietnam’s environmental and material context.

EDGE (IFC/World Bank)

Designed for commercial and residential developments, EDGE focuses on efficiency in energy, water, and materials.

It requires at least 20% savings in each of these three categories compared to the local baseline. EDGE is a streamlined system, making it highly suitable for projects prioritizing cost optimization and rapid ROI.

How to Achieve Green Building Certification

To obtain certification, developers or design teams must follow these key steps:

1. Register for Certification
   Choose an appropriate system (LEED, LOTUS, EDGE, etc.) and submit the project registration.
   
2. Design Review
   A qualified consultant will assess the design drawings, materials, and equipment to ensure compliance with green criteria.
   
3. Construction Monitoring & Verification
   On-site inspections are conducted to verify actual implementation, gather documentation, and calculate performance metrics for energy and water use.
   
4. Assessment & Certification
   The certifying body reviews all evidence, assigns points, and issues an official certificate once all requirements are met.
   

Achieving green building certification requires close coordination among the developer, designers, contractors, and sustainability consultants. Among them, a professional green building consultant plays a vital role in optimizing costs, avoiding rework, and accelerating project timelines.

ISD Engineering — Vietnam’s Leading Green Building Certification Consultant

ISD Engineering is a market leader in LEED and EDGE certification in Vietnam.
We are proud to be the first and only consultancy in Vietnam recognized as both:

• LEED Proven Provider by USGBC/GBCI, honoring our consistent excellence in delivering LEED-certified projects; and
  
• EDGE Premier Service Provider by IFC/World Bank Group, a prestigious recognition awarded to organizations demonstrating outstanding technical expertise and project performance.

Our Comprehensive Services Include:

• Strategic consulting to achieve certification for all building types.
  
• Site assessments and roadmap planning to minimize cost and maximize credit achievement.
  
• Full support with documentation, submission, and coordination throughout the certification process.

Get Expert Guidance Today

ISD is proud to partner with many leading corporations on their journey toward sustainable, energy-efficient buildings.

👉 Contact us today to receive professional advice and become a pioneer in achieving green certification in Vietnam.

🔗 Learn more about ISD Engineering’s green building certification expertise.