On the morning of December 1, 2025, Mr. Nguyễn Mạnh Bình San – Vice Chairman of the HCMC Association of Structure Wood Architecture (SAWA) – held a working meeting with the Vietnam Institute for Building Materials (VIBM) in Hanoi. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Lưu Thị Hồng, Deputy Head of the Institute, with the participation of the Institute’s specialists.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation across several key areas to promote the development of structural wood in Vietnam.
A notable highlight was VIBM’s official confirmation as the technical partner of SAWA for the exhibition “Mass Timber House in Forest” (GOTO Exhibition). The exhibition showcases five structural-wood houses (CLT, Glulam, LVL, etc.) built directly in a natural setting in an outdoor show-lab format. It aims to demonstrate Mass Timber technologies, test design–construction–material standards, and establish a foundation for Vietnam’s structural-wood ecosystem. The event connects manufacturers, architects, contractors, researchers, and the community, contributing to the development of green and sustainable timber architecture. VIBM’s participation ensures scientific and technical depth throughout the exhibition.
part of the visit, SAWA representatives toured VIBM’s laboratory, which is equipped with modern testing facilities meeting international standards for structural-wood evaluation. Mr. San acknowledged the Institute’s testing capabilities and received agreement on collaborating to develop testing procedures for structural wood applicable to research, assessment, and real-world implementation.
Building on each party’s strengths, SAWA and VIBM will continue discussions to expand suitable cooperation pathways, thereby promoting the application of structural wood in modern construction.
This strengthened collaboration reflects SAWA’s commitment to advancing structural wood as a safe, transparent, and internationally compliant building material, contributing to the sustainable development objectives of Vietnam’s construction sector.