As the World Transforms, Is Vietnam's Architecture & Construction Industry Ready to Lead?

On June 24, 2025, the “Net Zero Roundtable” No. 4 series talkshow, themed “The Next Chapter in Architecture & Construction” was successfully hosted by TranDuc Corporation and Life Design Kabaya. Held at the Ecolux modular home (a modern prefabricated solution developed by TranDuc), the event continued its mission to connect the Architecture & Construction community towards sustainable development. More than just theoretical discussions, this installment became more critical than ever, posing a vital question: Is Vietnam's architecture and construction industry truly prepared to enter this “next chapter”?

The program opened with Ms. Vo Nhat Lieu, Founder of Propiin Academy and former R&D Director at CityLand, providing a comprehensive overview of the global economic situation. She noted that the projected growth for 2025 is only 2.3%, the lowest since 1960. Geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East have caused oil prices to surge, leading to increased shipping costs. Notably, tariff policies from major markets like the U.S. are creating disruptive shocks in global supply chains. However, according to Ms. Lieu, this also presents “opportunity in crisis” if Vietnamese enterprises proactively restructure their strategies, invest more systematically in technology and human resources, and boldly expand and diversify their markets. “The new cycle is arriving – it's not for those slow to adapt, but for businesses that prepare today” she emphasized. From this point, the discussion broadened from merely addressing challenges to highlighting the proactive solutions being sought by Vietnamese enterprises.

Mr. Vu Duy Binh, Sales & Market Development Director at TranDuc Corporation, analyzed: “The disruption of supply chains doesn't just trouble China – the world's factory – but also creates clear market gaps for Vietnam.” With this in mind, TranDuc has taken proactive steps: breaking ground on the Nam Tan Uyen factory, built to Net Zero standards and equipped with automated production lines from Italy and Germany. This is more than just a factory; it's a clear declaration that Vietnam can absolutely produce – and export – international-standard timber components to high-end markets like the U.S., Australia, and Canada. If the new factory is a strategic declaration, then the ECOLUX modular home – the venue for the talk show – is the most tangible manifestation of what TranDuc is building. From a focus on internal capabilities, TranDuc's story expands to a global scale, where green materials and technology trends are becoming new standards.

Mr. Kubota Kenta, Chairman and CEO of Life Design Kabaya (Japan), further clarified this: modular homes are no longer just “alternative solutions” but key solutions for a world rapidly moving towards Net Zero. With fast construction times, cost savings, and significant emissions reductions, this model is highly sought after in developed countries. Crucially, the collaboration between Life Design Kabaya, TranDuc, and the Institute of Building Science and Technology (IBST) in developing the first timber structure standards in Vietnam demonstrates a clear determination: not just to adopt trends, but to proactively create benchmarks. The standards, expected to be announced in October 2025, are an important stepping stone for Vietnam's construction industry to enter the global arena using its own “material language”. And for that language to truly resonate, designers who understand the value beneath every line of a drawing are essential.

Therefore, the insights from Architect Tran Thi Ngu Ngon (a Vietnamese architect recognized at the DIVIA Award 2025) became a crucial voice to conclude the program's continuous line of thought. For her, design is not merely about addressing space but also about answering questions regarding energy, project lifecycle, and the future living environment. As developers increasingly demand strict sustainability, today's architects cannot merely possess beautiful ideas – they must understand enough to lead. And Vietnam, with the rapid maturation of its design force, is beginning to gain recognition in international forums not only for its creativity but also for its ability to create green buildings in an indigenous and profound way. After four editions, “Net Zero Roundtable” is more than just a talk show – it's a strategic dialogue space for those who want to take action. Here, architects are not isolated in their design ideals, nor are businesses alone in their bold decisions. Each edition of the program is a piece that helps paint a vibrant picture of Vietnam's construction industry during a period of strong transformation.