7.2.2. Upgrade buildings to higher energy efficiency

During the period 2022 – 2023, 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,” without a specific plan to monitor and evaluate energy efficiency across its entire infrastructure system. By 2024, to strengthen its sustainable development standards, UEH developed a Green Infrastructure Upgrading and Renovation Plan, focusing on reducing overall energy consumption across existing university buildings and progressively integrating environmentally friendly design standards, as well as green building materials and clean energy technologies in both renovated and newly constructed facilities. This plan marks a transition from orientation to concrete action, reflecting UEH’s strong commitment to improving the energy efficiency of its buildings, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and advancing its goals toward becoming a Green University.

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 14: Plan for Upgrading and Renovating Infrastructure to Reduce Energy Consumption

The plan for upgrading and renovating infrastructure to reduce energy consumption is a proactive initiative implemented by UEH to optimize energy efficiency in existing buildings, while improving infrastructure quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and moving toward the development of a green, modern, intelligent, and sustainable energy infrastructure. The objective of this plan is to progressively enhance energy performance, reduce operational costs, and promote the application of environmentally friendly design solutions, thereby contributing to UEH’s goal of becoming a Green University.

1. Energy-efficient materials and equipment are applied in the design, renovation, and construction of new buildings. Facilities across the UEH campus are required to prioritize the use of insulating materials, heat-resistant and low-E glass, reflective roof and wall coatings, and environmentally friendly materials that can be recycled or reused. These measures aim to minimize energy loss and extend the lifespan of infrastructure.

2. Gradual Replacement of Traditional Lighting Systems with LED lights, motion sensor lighting, and automatic lighting control systems. Learning areas, corridors, offices, and public spaces are equipped with smart electricity sensors that optimize energy efficiency and electricity consumption in real time. 

3. Improving Cooling and Ventilation Systems for Energy Efficiency; using high-performance air conditioners, energy-saving ceiling fans, heat pumps, and optimized natural ventilation. UEH campuses with favorable site conditions – such as UEH Nha Trang, UEH Vinh Long, and administrative or library buildings in Ho Chi Minh City – are encouraged to install rooftop solar power systems to supplement renewable energy sources and reduce the load on the electricity infrastructure.

4. Integrate green design solutions during renovation processes, such as rooftop gardens, green façades, open green spaces, and small ecological zones, to improve the microclimate, reduce heat radiation, and create comfortable, environmentally friendly learning and working environments.

5. Prioritize standardizing building designs to suit the specific climatic conditions of each campus: the Ho Chi Minh City campus should enhance ventilation and moisture resistance; the Vinh Long campus should prioritize heat- and water-resistant materials; and the Nha Trang campus should take advantage of sea breeze and natural light while using salt corrosion-resistant materials.

6. The Department of Facilities Management and infrastructure management units are responsible for coordinating the renovation roadmap, monitoring energy use, and proposing energy-efficient building solutions. They shall periodically compile results and report to the Sustainable University Project Committee for inclusion in the university’s annual Sustainable Development Report.”

2. Implementation

In parallel with policy implementation, UEH has carried out a series of practical projects across its campuses, significantly reducing electricity consumption while contributing to the university’s CO₂ emission reduction goals. With a total area of over 139,000 m², UEH has been a pioneer in installing solar power systems with a combined capacity exceeding 509,000 kWp since 2022 at three major campuses. In 2024 alone, four buildings – A, B, N1, and N2 – generated 470,224.2 kWh of solar electricity, helping reduce 1,265,560.2 tons of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to approximately 12,000 trees. This marks a key milestone in UEH’s journey toward becoming a carbon-neutral university and reaffirms its leadership in advancing green.

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 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 room (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); ≈1.270.000 kg CO₂ emission reduction
Rainwater drainage space	All Campuses	Increasing permeable and drainage areas; reducing pressure on the public system	87.512 m² (≈65% of the total area)
Campus green space	All Campuses	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	All Campuses	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	Facilities Management Units	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

To ensure sustainability and transparency in implementation, UEH has developed a roadmap for the Green Infrastructure Renovation and Upgrading Plan for the 2024–2026 period. Specifically, the university aims to increase rooftop solar power capacity by 10–15% annually, expand green spaces and permeable surface areas by 2–3% each year, and continue upgrading classrooms and dormitories to meet energy-efficient standards. The implementation results will be integrated into UEH’s Annual Sustainable Development Report, publicly released on the university’s official website, demonstrating a clear mechanism of monitoring – evaluation – disclosure in line with international standards. The inclusion of this mid-term roadmap and periodic reporting not only strengthens UEH’s commitment to emission reduction and energy efficiency but also reinforces its pioneering role in building a Green – Smart – Sustainable University model in Vietnam.

Open related links:

1. 2023 – Article 6, Regulations Regarding Green Campus Practice – https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/green-campus-regulations#qd-dieu6 

2. 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 

3. December 11, 2024 – UEH and Solar Energy: Affirming the Pioneering Role in Green Energy Application with the Reduction of 1,265.5602 tons of CO2 – https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/breaking-news/ueh-and-solar-energy-affirming-the-pioneering-role-in-green-energy-application-with-the-reduction-of-12655602-tons-of-co2 

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