What Is LEED Certification? Exploring the World’s Most Popular Green Building Standard

According to statistics from the USGBC, Vietnam currently has more than 250 projects registered and certified under LEED, mainly concentrated in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Hanoi, and major industrial zones

What is LEED?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) – developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) – is considered the most reputable and widely recognized green building certification in the world. It has been adopted in over 180 countries, including Vietnam.

LEED evaluates projects based on a series of sustainability criteria, including:

• Energy efficiency
• Water conservation
• Indoor air quality
• Environmentally friendly materials
• Sustainable site and planning

Each project registered under LEED is scored based on these criteria and rated according to four levels:
Certified → Silver → Gold → Platinum (the highest level).

LEED Certification

Why should businesses pursue LEED certification?

Achieving LEED certification is not only a testament to a company’s commitment to sustainability, but also delivers tangible, long-term benefits:

• Reduce operational costs: Save 20–30% on energy use and 30–50% on water consumption.
• Enhance brand value: Gain recognition from global corporations, ESG partners, and international investors.
• Attract talent and customers: Create a green, clean, and safe working environment that enhances user experience.
• Support Net Zero goals and international supply chain standards (such as Apple, Nike, and Unilever).

What types of projects can pursue LEED certification?

Currently, around 60% of LEED-certified projects in Vietnam belong to the industrial sector, demonstrating that this category particularly prioritizes LEED—especially manufacturing enterprises targeting export markets in Europe and the United States.

For businesses in manufacturing, real estate, or those aiming to build a sustainable brand, investing in LEED certification is a growing trend.

Many industrial projects and office buildings in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have already achieved LEED certification, becoming key highlights in attracting international tenants and investors.

The LEED Certification Process

The LEED certification process consists of five main steps:

1. Preliminary assessment & consultation: Identify applicable rating systems and achievable credits.
2. Design according to LEED criteria: Integrate technical solutions and perform energy modeling.
3. Construction & site supervision: Record and verify on-site implementation data.
4. Submit documentation to USGBC: Provide required evidence for review.
5. Review & certification issuance (Certified → Platinum).

LEED Trends in Vietnam

According to the USGBC, Vietnam now has over 250 projects registered and certified under LEED, concentrated mainly in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Hanoi, and key industrial parks.

This demonstrates that LEED is becoming the new standard for Vietnam’s green building sector, particularly across manufacturing, logistics, office, and commercial projects.

LEED – A Solid Step Toward Sustainable Development

LEED is not just a certification; it is a comprehensive framework that helps Vietnamese enterprises enhance competitiveness, reduce long-term costs, and demonstrate a strong ESG commitment.

If you are planning to invest in or upgrade a project, adopting LEED strategies early in the design phase will significantly save costs and increase your chances of achieving higher certification levels.

👉 If you are looking for a trusted, leading LEED consulting firm in Vietnam, contact ISD Engineering today to receive expert guidance and become one of the pioneering green-certified enterprises in the country.

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