Are green building materials really necessary?

As energy costs rise and environmental standards become more demanding, many developers are beginning to view green building materials as a long-term solution for modern developments.

Beyond reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency, materials such as Low-E glass, non-fired bricks and low-VOC paints can also contribute to better indoor environmental quality and more efficient building operations.

According to the World Green Building Council, the use of more sustainable building solutions can contribute to significant reductions in carbon emissions compared with conventional development approaches. Projects pursuing certifications such as LEED or LOTUS may also gain advantages in attracting tenants and strengthening asset value.

This indicates that sustainable materials are gradually becoming part of a new standard for the construction industry in Vietnam.

Traditional materials vs. green materials

When selecting building materials, developers often need to balance upfront investment with long-term operational performance.

Compared with conventional materials, green alternatives may involve higher initial costs in some cases, but they can provide long-term benefits through improved energy efficiency, lower emissions and reduced operating expenses.

This is one reason why green building projects increasingly prioritise sustainable material solutions.

Common categories of green building materials

Vietnam’s green building materials market is developing rapidly as demand increases for energy-efficient and environmentally responsible buildings.

Some commonly used solutions include:

• Non-fired bricks: lower production-related emissions, good acoustic performance and suitable for walls and partitions
• Low-E glass: reduces heat gain and cooling demand, making it suitable for façades and large glazed areas
• Recycled concrete: incorporates construction waste or alternative materials to reduce demand for virgin resources
• FSC-certified timber: sourced from responsibly managed forests and commonly used in interior applications
• Low-VOC paints: reduce volatile organic compound emissions and help improve indoor air quality
• Thermal insulation materials: help reduce heat transfer, control moisture and improve building durability

These materials not only help reduce environmental impacts but can also improve building performance over the long term.

Solutions such as Low-E glazing, insulation and low-VOC finishes are increasingly applied in residential projects, offices and hotels to reduce energy consumption and improve indoor environmental quality.

Material standards and certifications

In green building projects, material certifications can help demonstrate environmental performance, product safety and compliance with sustainability requirements.

Some commonly referenced standards and certifications include:

• FSC: applies to timber sourced from responsibly managed forests
• Global GreenTag: assesses the environmental and health performance of building materials, finishes and interior products
• EPD – Environmental Product Declaration: provides quantified information on the environmental impacts of a product across its life cycle
• LEED, LOTUS and EDGE: green building rating systems that assess projects across areas including energy, water, materials and environmental performance

In addition to formal certifications, developers increasingly evaluate technical indicators such as:

• VOC: levels of volatile organic compounds that can affect indoor air quality
• Embodied carbon: carbon emissions associated with material production, transport and construction
• Recyclability: the extent to which materials can be reused or recycled at the end of their service life
• Local sourcing: the use of materials produced closer to the project site to reduce transportation impacts and support local supply chains

These factors help project teams select materials that better align with sustainability objectives and improve the project’s ability to pursue green building certification.

Investment cost and long-term performance

The initial cost of some green building materials can be higher than that of conventional alternatives, particularly for products such as high-performance glazing, low-VOC coatings or advanced insulation systems.

However, the additional cost is often concentrated at the initial investment stage, while the long-term benefits may include reduced energy and water consumption, lower maintenance requirements and improved building durability.

Depending on the project, investments in energy-efficient and sustainable solutions may be recovered over time through operational savings.

Beyond lower operating costs, higher-performance materials can also support more consistent building quality and reduce the risk of premature deterioration.

For this reason, many businesses increasingly view sustainable construction not simply as an environmental initiative, but as part of a broader strategy to improve long-term investment efficiency.

Applications and green building trends

Different building types require different combinations of sustainable materials to optimise energy use, indoor environmental quality and operational performance.

Residential projects may prioritise non-fired bricks, low-VOC paints and thermal insulation, while office and hotel developments often place greater emphasis on Low-E glazing and energy-efficient façade systems.

Schools, hospitals and industrial facilities may focus more heavily on durable, moisture-resistant, recycled or low-impact materials, as well as lower-carbon concrete solutions.

Across building types, the roof, façade, glazing and insulation layers are particularly important because of their significant influence on heat gain and overall energy demand.

The green materials market also varies by real estate segment.

Grade A offices and international hotels increasingly regard green building certifications such as LEED and LOTUS as competitive advantages, while mid-market residential developments are beginning to adopt more cost-effective sustainability solutions.

This suggests that green materials are gradually moving beyond premium developments and becoming more mainstream across Vietnam’s construction market.

Case studies and real-world market applications

In recent years, a growing number of green building projects in Vietnam have demonstrated the role that sustainable materials can play in improving energy performance.

Office buildings and commercial developments in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City increasingly use Low-E glazing, thermal insulation and low-VOC finishes to reduce cooling demand and improve operational efficiency.

Many LEED- and LOTUS-certified projects also prioritise FSC-certified timber, lower-carbon concrete and recycled materials as part of their sustainability strategies.

The adoption of green materials is also expanding beyond premium projects into residential and mid-sized commercial developments. Developers are increasingly considering locally sourced and recycled materials to reduce embodied carbon and transportation impacts, while growing demand from multinational tenants for LEED- or EDGE-certified offices is further supporting the development of Vietnam’s sustainable construction market.

Material risks and supplier selection

As demand for green buildings grows, one of the key risks for developers is selecting products based primarily on marketing claims such as “eco-friendly” or “green” without sufficiently verifying their technical performance.

This can result in higher costs without corresponding improvements in building performance, particularly when materials are not suited to Vietnam’s climate and operating conditions.

Products without adequate certification or technical documentation may also present risks such as cracking, moisture damage, premature degradation or poor indoor air quality due to excessive VOC emissions.

For this reason, project teams should prioritise materials supported by recognised certifications or environmental documentation such as FSC, recognised green product labels or EPDs.

Technical specifications, test reports, warranty conditions and product performance should also be reviewed carefully before construction.

The increasing availability of certified Low-E glazing, low-VOC coatings, FSC timber, insulation products and other sustainability-focused materials is helping project teams improve quality control while reducing long-term maintenance risks.

Ultimately, the value of green building materials lies not simply in whether a product is marketed as “green”, but in whether its environmental and technical performance can be demonstrated, verified and integrated effectively into the overall building design.