1. Introduction

LOTUS is a green building certification system developed by the Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC). It is an assessment tool created with reference to international systems such as LEED (USA), Green Star (Australia), BREEAM (UK), and GBI (Malaysia), while being adapted to suit Vietnam’s natural, economic, and legal conditions.
The goal of LOTUS is to promote sustainable construction practices, encourage efficient use of resources, minimize negative environmental impacts, and enhance the quality of living spaces.

2. Scope of Application

LOTUS NC (New Construction) applies to newly built projects and certain large-scale renovation projects. Applicable building types include:

• Residential (apartment buildings, serviced apartments).

• Offices, shopping centers, supermarkets.

• Educational facilities (from kindergarten to university).

• Healthcare facilities (hospitals, health centers).

• Cultural & sports facilities (theaters, libraries, stadiums).

• Transportation facilities (stations, bus terminals).

• Hotels, resorts.

• Factories, industrial facilities.

3. Assessment Structure

LOTUS NC is structured into seven main categories, reflecting key aspects of building management and operation:

• Energy (E) – Monitoring and reducing energy consumption.

• Water (W) – Optimizing water use, including saving and reuse.

• Materials & Resources (MR) – Encouraging sustainable materials, reducing emissions.

• Health & Comfort (H) – Ensuring indoor environmental quality.

• Site & Environment (SE) – Protecting ecosystems and minimizing environmental impacts.

• Management (Man) – Enhancing efficiency in design, construction, and operation.

• Innovation (EP) – Recognizing advanced solutions not covered within the system.

Point allocation: Energy (32%), Water (13%), Materials & Resources (12–13%), Health & Comfort (14%), Site & Environment (20–21%), Management (8%), and up to 8 bonus points for Innovation.

4. Prerequisites

All projects seeking LOTUS certification must meet 9 prerequisites, notably including:

• Minimum energy efficiency as per QCVN 09:2017/BXD.

• Implementation of passive design solutions.

• At least 20% reduction in water consumption.

• Construction waste management plan.

• No smoking in indoor spaces.

• Use of low-VOC materials and coatings.

• Provision of operation & maintenance manuals, as well as user guides for occupants.

5. Certification Levels

Projects are scored on a 100-point scale, plus up to 8 bonus points for innovation. The certification levels are:

• LOTUS Certified: 40 – 54 points.

• LOTUS Silver: 55 – 64 points.

• LOTUS Gold: 65 – 74 points.

• LOTUS Platinum: ≥ 75 points.

6. Certification Process

The LOTUS NC certification process consists of three main stages:

1. Registration: Submission of application, payment of fees, and signing of agreement with VGBC.

2. Provisional Certification (optional): Conducted after the design phase, valid for 18 months, mainly for confirming project direction and supporting communications.

3. Final Certification: Conducted after project completion, based on as-built documentation and site inspection. The certification is valid for 5 years, after which projects are recommended to transition to LOTUS BIO certification for the operational phase.

7. Referenced Standards

LOTUS NC refers to and complies with both Vietnamese regulations and international standards.

• Vietnam: QCVN 09:2017/BXD (energy), QCVN 02:2009/BYT (water quality), TCVN 5687:2010 (ventilation)…

• International: ASHRAE 62.1 (ventilation), ASHRAE 55 (thermal comfort), EN 16516 (emissions from building products)…

This ensures scientific credibility and alignment with global green building systems.

FAQs about LOTUS

1. What does the LOTUS certification fee include?
The fee includes registration and assessment–certification fees, set by VGBC depending on project type and scale. Investors must contact VGBC directly for a detailed quotation.

2. Is the process complicated?
The process is standardized into three steps: registration, provisional certification (optional), and final certification. VGBC encourages provisional certification to ensure the design is on the right track before construction.

3. What is the scope of LOTUS NC?
LOTUS NC applies to most building types: residential, offices, shopping centers, hotels, hospitals, schools, factories, and transport facilities.

4. What is the biggest challenge in obtaining certification?
The main difficulty is meeting the prerequisites. However, LOTUS allows flexibility: in special cases, VGBC may consider exemptions if the project provides a valid justification.

5. How long is the certificate valid?
Final LOTUS Certification is valid for 5 years. After expiry, projects are recommended to pursue LOTUS BIO certification for the operational stage.