Dong Nai Provice, July 19, 2025 – With the aim of enhancing collaboration, sharing technical expertise, and shaping strategic directions for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s wood construction industry, the Association of Structure Architecture Wood – Ho Chi Minh City (SAWA) joined with domestic and international partners for an important meeting.
Participants included:
Mr. Vo Quang Ha – Permanent Vice Chairman of Dong Nai Fine Arts and Woodworking Association (DOWA), Chairman of SAWA
Ms. Luu Thi Hong – Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute for Building Materials (VIBM)
Mr. Nguyen Minh Phuong – Vice Chairman of SAWA
Ms. Tran Nhu Trang – Representative of the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO)
Amidst increasing global demands for sustainability, carbon neutrality, and traceability—particularly from major export markets such as the EU, the US, and Japan—Vietnam’s wood construction sector must adapt to new standards and innovate across the value chain.
During the meeting, all parties shared insights and reached consensus on the following priority areas:
1️⃣ Contributing to the National Strategy for the Development of Construction Materials (2021–2030, vision to 2050)
Led by VIBM, the strategy includes engineered wood, structural timber, and green materials. The involvement of industry associations like SAWA and DOWA, alongside international experts from SIPPO, ensures alignment with practical needs and global trends.
2️⃣ Developing technical standards and application guidelines for construction wood
The goal is to build a national framework covering product classifications, technical benchmarks, and safety requirements—especially for engineered wood like CLT and LVL. Practical guidelines for on-site implementation will also be introduced.
3️⃣ Organizing thematic workshops for businesses in the construction wood sector
Workshops will cover a wide range of topics, such as standardization, timber-based structural design, new production technologies, market access, and sustainability requirements. These efforts aim to enhance business competitiveness and awareness.
4️⃣ Launching pilot projects to support wood construction factories
VIBM will provide technical assistance to factories in improving production processes, testing products according to international standards, and piloting real-world applications in construction projects.
5️⃣ Implementing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for construction wood products
To meet EU requirements and contribute to the global shift towards carbon neutrality, LCA helps businesses demonstrate environmental performance and increase product value and competitiveness.
6️⃣ Establishing a coordination mechanism among stakeholders
The parties agreed to form a core coordination group between VIBM – SIPPO – DOWA – SAWA to ensure synchronized implementation. Future initiatives may involve construction industry partners, architecture associations, and international certification bodies.
SAWA’s Commitment to the Future of Wood Construction
In closing, Mr. Vo Quang Ha – Chairman of SAWA, emphasized:
“SAWA is committed to connecting its member businesses with domestic and international technical resources. We will actively participate in building appropriate policies and standards to shape a transparent, modern, and sustainable wood construction ecosystem in Vietnam.”
This meeting marks not only a crucial beginning for future partnerships but also a demonstration of collective determination to elevate Vietnam’s wood construction sector on both domestic and international fronts.
