In construction management (CM) / project management (PM), a project manager (PMr) with technical knowledge of architecture stands on the side of the client (project owner) and carries out various management tasks, such as studying procurement methods, selecting designers and contractors, and schedule, quality and cost management, so that the project meets the client’s requirements and is completed within budget and on time.

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Construction projects in Vietnam involve many parties, which makes the process complex. Authorities, industrial parks, investment and development application consultants, environmental (EIA) application consultants, design consultants, fire-protection consultants, application consultants, general contractors and vendors are all involved.
Using our extensive experience, we coordinate these parties, respond to requests and guidance from industrial parks and government agencies based on local knowledge, and judge the validity of proposals and quotations to support the success of the project.

The site workers involved in construction in Vietnam are mainly Vietnamese, not foreign migrant workers. However, construction technology is still developing, and building quality is not necessarily high.
To ensure the quality of real estate and buildings, the Vietnamese government requires the appointment of a project management consultant and a construction supervisor (Construction Supervision), as third parties other than the contractor, to control whether projects are built in compliance with Vietnamese law (Decree No. 15/2021/ND-CP).
With this regulation, the Vietnamese government guides the appointment of a PM for construction projects. For construction supervision (CS), it is not guidance but a regulation: for new-build projects of grades 1 to 3, the investor must hire a CS.

At Plus PM Vietnam, Vietnamese PMrs and CMrs who are qualified in PM/CS strengthen cooperation with the Vietnamese site supervisors of the general contractor on site, providing project management that is familiar with local culture and customs. While complying with government regulations, we also introduce our own on-site quality control system and carry out supervision to achieve higher-quality construction projects.

Feature 1. Unclear Vietnamese law and administrative guidance that differs by province

Projects in Vietnam have a unique difficulty: the unclear nature of Vietnamese law. Laws such as the building code, the environmental code and the fire protection law are hard to understand and can sometimes cause confusion. In addition, how a project proceeds changes greatly depending on whether the site is inside or outside an industrial park and which province it belongs to. Around the capital Hanoi in particular, government guidance tends to be strict.
To deal with these issues, we carry out an appropriate feasibility study, basic planning and site selection with a view of the entire project. We also identify risks in advance and proceed with discussions with the industrial park and government offices. In doing so, it is important to select design consultants and general contractors that are strong in each province and to manage thoroughly so that the project proceeds smoothly.

Feature 2. Complexity of government application processes

In Vietnamese projects, the complexity of government applications is a major challenge. It is therefore necessary to establish the critical path of the project and obtain the construction start permit by gaining approval from multiple ministries within Vietnam’s compartmentalized administration. If an application is deficient, there is a risk of major rework, and of design changes and additional costs due to guidance from the fire department.
In particular, since 2020 the fire protection law has become stricter through amendments, increasing the difficulty of projects. Furthermore, Vietnam’s building code is unclear in many respects, and the judgment of administrative officials often differs. For this reason, to secure optimal cost, quality and schedule by comparing the client’s requirements with the Vietnamese building code and fire protection law, and in consultation with the authorities and industrial park management boards, close discussion and scrutiny with PMrs/CMrs who have extensive knowledge and experience are necessary.