On December 29, during a working trip to Hanoi, Mr. Vo Quang Ha visited and held a working session with the Vietnam Institute for Building Materials (VIBM). The visit was part of a series of activities by the Association of Structure Wood Architecture – Ho Chi Minh City (SAWA) aimed at strengthening research linkages and contributing to the development and improvement of policies, standards, and technical regulations in the field of wood construction, amid the accelerating green transition.
Mr. Vo Quang Ha was received by Mr. Nguyen Quang Hiep, Director General of VIBM, together with representatives from the Institute’s specialized departments and technical experts. During the visit, Mr. Ha toured VIBM’s laboratories, equipment, and facilities supporting research and testing of building materials.
He highly appreciated the scale, capacity, and readiness of the Institute’s equipment and human resources for research and testing activities, noting that VIBM’s laboratory system is on par with, and in no way inferior to, modern laboratories in many developed countries. This was seen as an important foundation for deeper exchanges between the two sides on technical solutions, evaluation criteria, and the direction for developing and updating quality management systems for wood construction products.
During the discussions, both sides agreed on future cooperation directions, with a focus on strengthening public–private collaboration in research activities, professional exchanges, and contributions to the development and refinement of policies, standards, and technical regulations related to wood construction. On this basis, the two organizations are expected to proceed toward signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on January 30 in Ho Chi Minh City, to formalize cooperation contents in the next phase.
On the same occasion, Mr. Vo Quang Ha also shared information about the SAWA Go to Japan program, scheduled for August 2026. The program will focus on visits and working sessions with research institutes and professional organizations in Japan, alongside exchanges of experience in developing and applying technical standards and regulations in wood construction. Within the framework of the program, the delegation is expected to visit and work with Sumitomo Forestry Group, drawing on international experience to support the development and improvement of wood construction policies and standards in Vietnam.
The working session was regarded as a concrete step in SAWA’s roadmap for engaging in policy and standards development, while opening up practical cooperation opportunities between research institutions and the business community, contributing to the sustainable development of the wood construction sector in the time ahead.