Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The governmentshould offer preferential policies for property firms which develop green urbanareas, said Do Viet Chien, General Secretary of the Vietnam Real EstateAssociation.

Speaking at a forum held recently in Hanoi, Chiensaid green construction development in Vietnam had a lot of potential but alsoposed challenges for the building industry as it was still a new concept.

"Vietnam lacks technical solutions andgreen materials, while facing weak management in operating green constructions.The country’s legal framework does not have incentives for green buildingdevelopment," he said.

Chien added that the participation of financialinstitutions and energy saving funds to encourage green building was stilllimited.

"From a practical point of view, greendevelopment is a growing trend, which is the way we have to go," he noted.

He suggested that the government shouldencourage investors to develop green buildings. Borrowing and investing in suchconstructions should be made easier. It should also be made mandatory todevelop green buildings. For example, on areas of 20 hectares, developers mustset aside 5-7 percent of land for green buildings.

Nguyen Hong Thuc, Director of the ResearchInstitute for Resettlement of Vietnam, said the first new urban area in Hanoiwas built in 1996. At that time, people were still unsure of apartments andpreferred low-rise accommodation.

After many years of urbanisation, apartmentbuildings have become increasingly popular. As urban areas spread, the cityfaces a crisis.

"Now, we are in the midst of an urbancrisis, which is a living environment crisis. So, to build a good urban area,we need the participation of not only the government, but also professionals,people and businesses,” Thuc said.

However, she said Vietnam was in the earlystages of green construction which could not catch up with rapid urbanisation.

To improve quality of life, she said that moregreen buildings were needed. However, in order to do this in Vietnam, there wasa need for social consensus. Therefore, it was necessary to improve awarenessof green buildings and green urban areas.

“In my opinion, three important factors for agreen building include fuel saving, open space and mindset changing,” sheadded.

From the view of a property firm developinggreen buildings, Tran Nhu Trung, Deputy General Director of Capital House, saidthey looked forward to developing green buildings that bring benefits to theircustomers.

“However, we are facing difficulties. Not onlyus, but many companies in the south also encounter the same situation.Businesses want to make more green constructions as one building can’t make thewhole city green.”-VNS/VNA