As part of SAWA’s ongoing government policy dialogue initiatives, the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Structure Wood Architecture (SAWA) held a working session with two representatives from the Vietnam Institute for Building Materials (VIBM) on 24 October 2024 at SAWA’s office in Ho Chi Minh City, to discuss directions for developing standards for structural wood in construction. SAWA was represented by Mr. Trần Hoài Sơn – Vice President in charge of Advanced Machinery.
At the meeting, both sides recognized the strong market demand and significant growth potential of structural wood in the construction sector. Globally, the structural wood market is estimated at USD 16.13 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 36.49 billion by 2033, with an average annual growth rate of around 9.6%. With its ability to store carbon and replace high-emission materials such as concrete and steel, structural wood is becoming a leading trend in green and net-zero construction, potentially helping reduce approximately 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
To unlock this potential in Vietnam, several critical issues need to be addressed. A key topic highlighted during the discussion was the need to shift the mindset and perception of stakeholders across the ecosystem – including architects, project developers, and regulatory authorities – to encourage the use of wood in construction, particularly in public buildings. The dialogue also reaffirmed that transitioning to structural wood production requires significantly higher capital investment compared to traditional furniture manufacturing, along with stable and standardized raw materials, as well as substantial investment in specialized technologies, machinery, and production lines to ensure quality and meet technical performance requirements.
On 25 October 2024, SAWA also joined VIBM in a meeting with the Department of Construction of Dong Nai Province to exchange insights on regulatory mechanisms and the potential application of structural wood in local construction practices.
With core functions in developing strategies, standards, and technical regulations for building materials, alongside capabilities in testing, verification, and conformity assessment, VIBM plays a central role in the development of standard frameworks for structural wood in Vietnam. In this process, SAWA will accompany VIBM closely, serving to share information, connect experts and enterprises, and support capacity improvement to ensure quality and alignment with international practices.
The development of structural wood standards is considered a strategic step toward fostering wider adoption of wood materials in sustainable and green construction in Vietnam. SAWA will continue to act as a bridge between businesses, research institutes, and government agencies to support the advancement of appropriate policy and technical frameworks for the sector.