VIETCOMBANK TOWER - NEW SYMBOL OF MODERN HO CHI MINH CITY

After 9 years of operation, Vietcombank Tower achieved LEED Platinum certification, the highest standard in the office sector, and is now aiming for WELL certification, emphasizing human health and well-being. The building's strength lies not only in its location or resources but also the philosophy of “doing things right from the start”.

Green from core, standardized from the beginning

An increasing number of office buildings are pursuing international certifications for sustainability and green practices, yet this presents the daunting challenge of ‘transforming’ existing buildings to meet these standards. Most projects focus on adding external elements, such as greenery or renewable energy systems, to convey a ‘green’ message. However, buildings that inherently embrace green values through their location, construction quality, design, and structural framework from the very beginning are rare.

Regardless of, Vietcombank Tower in Ho Chi Minh City stands as a remarkable exception. Its ‘flawless’ profile earned it LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification, a globally recognized standard for green buildings awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

“From the beginning, our consultants guided us in preparing the necessary documentation. Remarkably, we didn’t need to invest in additional equipment because the building was designed to meet these standards from the outset,” said Mr. Dao Ngoc Hung, General Director of Vietcombank – Bonday – Benthanh (VBB), the joint venture company that currently owns and manages Vietcombank Tower. He shared this journey toward international recognition for energy efficiency and building quality.

Vietcombank Tower scored 85 points in the LEED evaluation (a score above 80 earns the highest certification - Platinum). This is considered exceptionally high for an existing building, significantly surpassing neighboring properties, reflecting the foresight and investment in design and operational quality that is “right from the start.”

For newly constructed buildings, achieving LEED certification is relatively straightforward if planned during the design phase. What’s impressive about Vietcombank Tower is that it was not originally intended to pursue LEED certification. However, its American standard design from 2010, along with its subsequent operational values, ensured the achievement of exceptional standards without additional investment.

Mr. Santanu Dupta Gupta, Market Development Deputy Director at USGBC, who presented the certification to Vietcombank Tower, praised its ability to upgrade an existing building to meet LEED standards. “Throughout my time at USGBC, I have worked on transforming many old buildings into green-certified ones, including those over 125 years old. However, in Vietnam, this is the first building, invested by a financial institution, to achieve LEED certification, especially in operations and maintenance,” he stated.

The “green from core” aspects of Vietcombank Tower are numerous. Positioned in a prime location overlooking Bach Dang Wharf Square and the Saigon River, the A+ office building features material choices and operational processes aligned from the beginning, minimizing costs and risks associated with future renovations or upgrades.

“From the initial stage, the investor prioritized design quality, willingly incurring high design costs. This decisive approach and long-term vision laid a solid foundation for the project's success, with its premium design, prime location, and distinctive image,” Mr. Hung concluded.

From an external perspective, Vietcombank Tower distinguishes itself from other office buildings with its unique structure. Despite having only 35 above-ground floors and 04 basements, the building surpasses the height of many conventional 40-level towers in Ho Chi Minh City, thanks to its 3,95 meter floor height and a metal spire equivalent to 10 floors in height. Its state-of-the-art and artistic lighting system further enhances its visibility. Additionally, the building's innovative combination of materials-stone, aluminum, and glass-not only contributes to energy savings by reducing heat absorption but also gives the tower a distinct color effect.

Beyond its exterior appearance, Vietcombank Tower's internal infrastructure receives even greater investment. The management team prioritizes preventive measures over repairs, ensuring high-quality machinery, equipment, and construction materials are consistently maintained or replaced ahead of schedule, even when still functional. This philosophy of “prevent rather than repair” reflects the building’s commitment to long-term operational excellence.

Striving for higher standards

The value that Vietcombank Tower offers tenants encompasses numerous factors, including its prime location, brand reputation, architectural design, and energy efficiency. The owner and management company, Vietcombank – Bonday – Benthanh (VBB), aims to exceed current standards by pursuing even higher international benchmarks.

One of the major challenges facing by Asian urban areas, including Vietnam, in this era of information and globalization is maintaining urban identity while balancing preservation and development. Vietcombank Tower addresses this by fostering sustainability from the outset, creating office spaces that “heal” and differentiate themselves by meeting the world’s highest standards for sustainable construction.

A key factor in achieving the LEED Platinum certification was the building’s advanced fresh air supply system, which significantly enhances indoor air quality for its occupants. “However, we did not stop there and decided to pursue the WELL certification, the world’s highest standard for design and operations that prioritize the health of building users,” shared Mr. Dao Ngoc Hung, General Director of VBB.

The WELL Building Standard, developed by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), focuses on promoting health and safety for building occupants. Its criteria include air, water, materials, lighting, architecture, comfort, and well-being. Achieving WELL certification not only offers a safe and healthy working environment but also a workplace designed to enhance the well-being of its users.

Globally, the focus on human-centric values has grown stronger since the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid economic uncertainty and geopolitical issues, the shift from remote work to office spaces highlights the need for optimized workplaces to boost productivity. Regardless of trends, buildings like Vietcombank Tower are setting higher standards as spaces where employees spend an average of eight hours daily breathing clean air, accessing personalized services, and performing their work

“What Vietcombank Tower offers is not just energy savings but an optimal working environment for all employees and tenants. We’re seeing younger generations, such as Gen Z and Millennials, increasingly valuing their workplace environment,” commented Mr. Santanu Dupta Gupta, representative of the USGBC, on the tower’s impact.

With a current occupancy rate of 97%, an ideal figure in the industry, VBB maintains stable rental rates while continuously enhancing value. “We take pride in our achievements, such as the LEED Platinum certification, and our pursuit of WELL certification. This reflects our dedication not only to our tenants but also to creating a green, sustainable working environment,” Mr. Hung discussed about future orientation.

LEED Platinum Certification Ceremony

The infrastructure investments made from the outset with a “Green from the Beginning” philosophy have given VBB (Vietcombank – Bonday – Benthanh) a significant advantage in enhancing the value of Vietcombank Tower. Additionally, VBB benefits from being owned by highly reputable shareholders with robust financial resources and a unified approach to asset ownership, design, and operations. This reduces risks often associated with multiple stakeholders contributing to a building's value proposition.

Consequently, achieving sustainability through rigorous, measurable, and transparent international certifications has allowed Vietcombank Tower to confidently navigate every level of quality assessment. This has positioned the building as a prime destination for global brands seeking office space in Vietnam.

The story of Vietcombank Tower as a magnet for elite global enterprises is closely tied to its alignment with these companies' sustainability strategies in the Vietnamese market.

The loyalty of the tenants reflects the real value of Vietcombank Tower. According to VBB, nearly 80% of companies that established their offices in the building nine years ago, during its initial operational phase, continue to accompany us today. “Our building is very selective about the tenants, we prioritize companies that pursue the commitments to social responsibility and aim to create sustainable ecosystems,” remarked by Mr. Hung. This strategic alignment between VBB and its tenants continues to generate mutual value, further solidifying the building’s reputation as a premium office space

(The Saigon Times - dated 26/12/2024, thesaigontimes.vn).