Construction sector instrumental in modernising Vietnam

The construction sector has over the past 50 years proved itself an instrumental industry for national industrialisation and modernisation with rapid urbanisation seen across the country.

Vietnam now has more than 720 urban centres with 150 industrial and economic zones, more than 1,500 real estate projects and over 890 million sq.m of housing space, of which 260 million sq.m of buildings located in urban areas.

Regarding urban infrastructure, the sector has poured around 2.2 billion USD in building and upgrading drainage systems. More than 300 water supply projects with a total capacity of 4.2 million cubic metres per day have been executed, providing access to safe water for 70 percent of urban residents.

Using technology, the construction material industry is heading towards products of high quality in order to ease import burdens and increase its export capacity. It recorded an annual growth rate of more than 17 percent, higher than the whole industry’s average growth.

Vietnam ’s material construction products, including cement, ceramic tiles, artificial granite, porcelain and construction glass, have gained firm footholds in domestic and international markets of more than 100 countries around the world.

Quick in getting access to advanced technology and improving human resources, Vietnamese civil engineering enterprises have managed to win and successfully construct the majority of key national building projects, FDI projects as well as projects built overseas by Vietnamese investors.

Projects of note include Son La hydroelectric power plant, Dung Quat oil refinery, Ca Mau thermo-electric plant, Buon Lop hydroelectric power plant, Thu Thiem bridge, and Xekaman hydroelectric power plant No 3.

Local construction businesses have also earned a reputation in cooperating with other regional countries in urban and hydroelectric power development. They have also joined hands with partners to promote investment activities in Laos and Cambodia . The National Institute for Urban and Rural Planning is helping Laos set up Vientiane urban planning.

Appreciating the contributions of the construction sector over the past 50 years, the Vietnamese State on April 28 presented it Ho Chi Minh Order, the second highest distinction of Vietnam.