1. What is LEED Certification?
LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is a green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It is considered one of the most widely recognized standards by developed nations. The LEED rating system was developed with the goals of mitigating the impact of construction projects and the buildings themselves on global climate change, improving resident health and community living standards, protecting and restoring water resources, and protecting and enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services. In other words, LEED certification is a metric for evaluating how well projects contribute to achieving these objectives.
2. Benefits for Projects Awarded LEED Certification
Receiving LEED certification provides a basis for property owners and businesses to effectively manage and reduce building operating costs, thereby cutting business expenses. At the same time, numerous studies have shown that green buildings have a significant positive effect on resident health and individual productivity, which in turn increases the value of the building. With Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and the Ministry of Construction’s goal of reducing emissions from construction by over 74 million tons of CO2 by 2030, LEED certification is a promising standard that the Vietnamese government supports, with certain incentives available for projects that achieve it.
Furthermore, as Vietnam increasingly participates in new-generation free trade agreements and aligns with global trends, many potential foreign partners of Vietnamese businesses now require adherence to specific criteria related to social responsibility. In this context, businesses with LEED-certified projects will have a distinct advantage in accessing foreign markets and expanding their network of partners.
3. Who is Eligible for LEED Certification?
LEED certification is granted to projects designed and implemented both within and outside the United States that meet the conditions required by the USGBC. Therefore, project owners in Vietnam can also apply for LEED certification. Depending on the project type, LEED certification is divided into the following categories:
| LEED BD+C (Building Design and Construction) | Awarded for the design and construction of all new non-residential buildings, residential buildings of 9 stories or more, and significant renovations to existing buildings. |
| LEED ID+C (Interior Design and Construction) | Awarded for the design and construction of the interior of a building, without affecting the building’s core and shell. |
| LEED O+M (Operations and Maintenance) | Awarded for the operation and maintenance of an entire building or its interior. |
| LEED ND (Neighborhood Development) | Awarded for neighborhood development projects. |
| LEED Homes | Awarded for the design and construction of single-family homes and multi-story apartment buildings. |
| LEED Cities | Awarded for city development projects. |