7.2.1. Energy-efficient renovation and building

In 2022, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) was still in the orientation phase, focusing on “implementing a roadmap for investing in Green campuses, equipment, and sustainable energy in UEH buildings.” At that stage, the university had not yet adopted a specific policy to monitor or evaluate energy efficiency in construction projects or electricity infrastructure upgrades. Entering 2024, as part of its effort to align with its system of sustainable development standards, UEH officially introduced a comprehensive policy requiring all renovation and new construction projects to comply with energy efficiency standards, green materials, and environmentally friendly design. This policy represents a significant shift from strategic orientation to concrete implementation, ensuring that every UEH facility is designed, invested in, and operated toward low-carbon development, reduced emissions, clean energy use, and the promotion of a green economy and sustainable energy university model.

1. Regarding the Policy

In 2022, according to Article 6. Responsibilities of UEH under Chapter III: Regulations for Related Parties in the Regulations Regarding Green Campus Practice, it was stated that UEH should “Implementing a roadmap for investing in Green campuses, equipment, and sustainable energy in UEH buildings.”

Therefore, in 2024, to realize this orientation and to ensure consistent implementation across the entire university system, UEH supplemented new content in Chapter III: Regulations for Related Parties in the Regulations Regarding Green Campus Practice.

“Article 13: Energy Efficiency Policy in Building Construction at UEH

Energy efficiency in construction at UEH involves proactively integrating clean energy technology and energy-efficient solutions into the design, construction, renovation, and operation of buildings. This policy aims to develop environmentally friendly infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and optimize the use of sustainable energy across the entire university system.

1. Applying energy-efficient materials and technology in the design, renovation, and construction of all buildings. UEH facilities prioritize the use of insulating materials, heat-resistant glass, low-E glass, heat-reflective coatings for roofs and walls, as well as environmentally friendly materials that can be recycled or reused. Lighting systems are required to use LED lamps, motion-sensor lighting, and real-time automatic lighting controls. Cooling systems are designed with high-efficiency air conditioners, energy-saving ceiling fans, heat pumps, and optimized natural ventilation solutions. UEH encourages the installation of solar energy at facilities with suitable roof spaces, such as UEH Campus Nha Trang, UEH Campus Vinh Long, and administrative or library buildings. The university also prioritizes integrating eco-friendly designs such as rooftop gardens and open green spaces, and green-certified building materials during the infrastructure investment process.

2. UEH encourages its affiliated units, departments, institutes, and centers to prioritize the use of renewable energy, energy-efficient lighting, electric devices with high energy ratings, and smart energy management systems throughout the processes of investment, operation, and maintenance of facilities.

3. Construction and renovation projects must incorporate energy efficiency considerations from the design stage, ensuring the optimization of natural ventilation, daylighting, wind direction, and solar radiation, while minimizing the use of high carbon-emission materials. Solar energy solutions, condensate water reuse and waste heat recovery are encouraged to be researched and implemented where feasible.

4. The classification and standardization of designs are based on climate zones and the specific characteristics of each UEH campus. The Ho Chi Minh City campus should apply humidity control solutions, enhance natural ventilation, and use materials suited to tropical humid conditions. The Vinh Long campus, located in the Mekong Delta region, prioritizes heat-resistant, waterproof, and moisture-resistant materials capable of withstanding seasonal flooding. The Nha Trang campus, located in a coastal area, should use materials resistant to salt corrosion, apply natural wind ventilation designs, and maximize the use of solar energy. Dormitories should adopt a minimalist, energy-efficient design that ensures ventilation and safety. Each facility type – classrooms, dormitories, the Learning Resource Center, and offices – must establish detailed energy consumption standards aligned with its functional purpose and local environmental conditions.

5. Integration of ecological factors and biodiversity conservation in planning and construction. During renovation or new construction, all projects are required to minimize adverse impacts on surrounding natural environments, including large trees and native vegetation. The university prioritizes the adoption of green infrastructure solutions such as green roofs, green façades, rainwater harvesting systems, and biological ponds. At the same time, the use of native plants that require less water and minimal maintenance is encouraged to reduce operational and maintenance costs.

6. Orientation toward achieving green building standards under international and national certification systems for sustainable and energy-efficient development. UEH’s facilities – particularly major renovation or new construction projects such as dormitories, libraries, smart classrooms, and the Nha Trang campus – are encouraged to pursue green certifications such as LOTUS (VGBC – Vietnam), EDGE (IFC – World Bank), LEED (U.S.), or equivalent standards. The university plans to pilot selected buildings as demonstration models to be replicated across the system, while simultaneously enhancing awareness and training its technical teams in green infrastructure standards.”

Through this supplementary policy, UEH not only enhances energy efficiency across its entire physical infrastructure but also gradually realizes its goal of building a green, smart, and sustainable learning environment – where every facility embodies a commitment to protecting the planet.

Accordingly, from January 1, 2024, 100% of UEH’s renovation and new construction projects must comply with Article 13. Design, bidding, and construction documents are approved only when meeting the energy efficiency checklist. The Department of Facilities Management is responsible for conducting evaluations at three key stages (concept design, technical design, and pre-acceptance) and preparing an annual energy report. The Sustainable University Project Committee will review and update the university’s green campus practices every two to three years.

2. Implementation

Alongside the issuance of the policy, UEH has implemented a series of practical projects across its campuses, which not only significantly reduce electricity consumption but also contribute positively to the university’s CO₂ emission reduction goals.

The period from 2024 to early 2025 demonstrates UEH’s strong commitment to moving from policy orientation to the actual application of international sustainability standards in design – construction – operation: optimizing energy efficiency, managing water resources, treating waste, expanding green spaces, and improving rainwater drainage infrastructure. Specifically:

Policies/ Activity	Location of Implementation	Implementation Content (Standards/Solutions)	Outcome 2024
Renovation of 17 Classrooms and Office Upgrades	Campus B, D; Department of Training; Human Resources and Organisation Development Department.	LED lighting, optimized natural light; energy-efficient devices; smart spaces	17 renovated classrooms, put into use in 2024
7 smart classrooms + 1 UEH Mekong studio	UEH Mekong Campus	Interactive displays and energy-efficient TVs; digital infrastructure standards for effective teaching and learning	7 smart classrooms; 1 High-tech learning studio
MCIE Center (inaugurated on May 30, 2024)	Co-working and Startup Space	Open-space design, maximizing ventilation/ natural daylight, energy-efficient infrastructure.	6 meeting rooms (4–12 seats), 1 conference room (50 seats), efficient co-working space
Upgrading 10 dormitory rooms (service)	UEH Mekong Campus	Optimizing air conditioning/ lighting systems; Comfortable yet energy-efficient	10 operational rooms, improving living conditions and energy efficiency
Solar energy (photovoltaic – PV)	Campus A, B, N1, N2	Rooftop PV system, internal grid connection	470,000 kWh (2024); approximately 1.27 million kg CO₂ emission reduction
Rainwater drainage space	Entire Campus	Increasing permeable and drainage areas; reducing pressure on the public system	87.512 m² (≈65% of the total area)
Campus green space	Entire Campus	Grass/landscape plants, and woody trees; Cooling effect – microclimate improvement	52.345 m² (grass and shrubs) & 25.244 m² (trees)
Waste sorting & recycling at source; i Ve Chai Machine system	Entire Campus	3/7-compartment station; automated collection & crushing machine	6,4 tons recycled (Aug 2023–Dec 2024); ~25.000 bottles & 9.773 cans; saved 11.177,28 kWh of energy; 134.755 L of water; and reduced ~1.726 kg of CO₂ emissions
Monitoring/Evaluation Mechanism	The Department of Facilities Management	Compilation of PV-generated kWh, CO₂ reduction, and green/drainage area; annual reporting	2024 report released: PV generation 470,000 kWh; CO₂ reduction ≈ 1.27 million kg; green and drainage area targets achieved

These results show that all renovation/construction activities are aligned with energy–water–waste efficiency standards and integrated monitoring mechanisms (generated kWh, reduced CO₂, green/drainage areas), fully meeting the requirements of Criterion 7.2.1.

Open related links:

1. 2022 – Article 6, Regulations Regarding Green Campus Practice – https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/green-campus-regulations#qd-dieu6 

2. 2024, Article 13, Regulations Regarding Green Campus Practice –

3. December 31, 2024 – New steps of UEH Green Campus in 2024 – Creating and spreading the Green University Model – https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/public/en/breaking-news/new-steps-of-ueh-green-campus-in-2024-creating-and-spreading-the-green-university-model

4. January 23, 2025 – Striving to build a green and smart university, UEH happily welcomes the Spring of At Ty 2025 – https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/ueh-va-no-luc-xay-dung-dai-hoc-xanh-thong-minh-tu-nhung-cong-trinh-den-khuon-vien-xanh-than-thien-voi-moi-truong-73313