Vietnam has experienced rapid development in its construction and real estate sectors over the past decade. Expanding urban areas, increasing commercial developments, and growing foreign investment have all contributed to a larger demand for modern buildings and infrastructure. Alongside this growth, sustainability and resource efficiency have become important priorities for developers, investors, and government institutions.
One sustainability framework that is increasingly applied in emerging markets is EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies). Developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), EDGE is designed to help projects reduce environmental impact through measurable improvements in energy efficiency, water conservation, and material resource management.
EDGE certification is particularly suitable for fast-growing construction markets because it provides a simplified methodology supported by performance modeling tools. To achieve certification, projects must demonstrate reductions in energy and water consumption compared with conventional building practices. Because these requirements involve technical calculations and design optimization, project teams often collaborate with sustainability consultancies that specialize in green building certification, environmental performance analysis, and resource-efficient design strategies.
Below are several international consulting firms that provide services related to sustainability advisory and green building performance analysis, which are relevant to EDGE-focused projects in Vietnam.
1. ERKE Consultancy
ERKE Consultancy is an international sustainability consultancy founded in 2007, operating through offices in Istanbul, Dubai, and London. The firm provides consulting services focused on green building certifications, sustainability strategy development, environmental performance analysis, and product sustainability.
ERKE has delivered more than 200 LEED-certified projects across 15 countries, supporting developments in sectors such as healthcare, transportation infrastructure, commercial buildings, and mixed-use real estate. This broad project portfolio demonstrates the company’s experience in managing sustainability strategies across different building types and geographic regions.
The firm’s technical team includes LEED Fellows, LEED Accredited Professionals, BREEAM Assessors, WELL APs, EDGE Experts, and product sustainability specialists. This multidisciplinary expertise allows ERKE to assist clients throughout the entire certification process, from design-stage performance modeling to documentation and final verification.
Some of ERKE’s major projects include Bahrain International Airport (200,000 sqm – LEED Gold), Istanbul Çam Sakura Hospital (1,000,000 sqm – LEED Gold), King Abdulaziz Transportation Center (LEED Gold), and Allianz Istanbul Headquarters (45,000 sqm – LEED Platinum).
The company also works with manufacturers on Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and life-cycle assessment (LCA) studies, providing data-driven insights into the environmental performance of building materials.
2. Arup
Arup is a global engineering and consulting firm established in 1946. The company operates in more than 30 countries, delivering services in engineering design, infrastructure development, urban planning, and sustainability consulting.
Sustainability is integrated into many of Arup’s projects, particularly in the design and operation of energy-efficient buildings. The firm provides services such as building performance modeling, environmental impact analysis, and carbon reduction strategy development.
Arup has been involved in a wide range of developments pursuing sustainability certifications including LEED and BREEAM, where technical performance analysis and integrated design solutions are essential components of the certification process.
The firm’s multidisciplinary approach allows sustainability considerations to be incorporated into engineering and architectural planning from the earliest project stages. In Asia, Arup has supported infrastructure and real estate developments that integrate energy-efficient systems and climate-responsive design principles.
3. WSP Global
WSP Global is a multinational engineering and consulting company headquartered in Canada. The firm operates in more than 50 countries, offering services related to engineering design, environmental consulting, and sustainability advisory.
WSP works with developers, architects, and infrastructure planners to improve the environmental performance of buildings and infrastructure. Its sustainability services often include energy consumption analysis, water efficiency planning, carbon footprint assessments, and sustainability certification coordination.
The firm has contributed to projects in sectors such as commercial real estate, healthcare facilities, transportation infrastructure, and industrial developments. In these projects, WSP frequently conducts energy simulations and environmental performance studies to identify opportunities for resource efficiency.
Through its international network, WSP has supported numerous developments across the Asia-Pacific region that integrate efficient building technologies and environmental design strategies.
4. Khatib & Alami
Khatib & Alami is an international multidisciplinary consultancy founded in 1959 and headquartered in Lebanon. The company provides services in architecture, engineering, environmental planning, and infrastructure development.
The firm has established a strong presence across the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia, working on projects that involve urban development, transportation infrastructure, and commercial building construction.
Khatib & Alami incorporates sustainability principles into project planning through services such as environmental impact assessments, energy efficiency studies, and sustainable urban design strategies.
These services help developers improve building performance and integrate environmental considerations into large-scale developments. The firm’s work often involves collaboration with multidisciplinary teams responsible for design, engineering, and infrastructure planning.
5. Ramboll
Ramboll is a Denmark-based engineering and consulting firm founded in 1945. The company provides advisory services across several sectors including buildings, infrastructure, transportation, and environmental management.
Ramboll’s sustainability consultants focus on improving environmental performance through energy efficiency strategies, lifecycle analysis, and sustainable design planning.
In building developments, Ramboll frequently performs energy modeling, environmental performance assessments, and resource management studies. These analyses help project teams identify design solutions that reduce energy demand and improve overall building efficiency.
The company has participated in numerous international projects where low-energy building concepts, sustainable infrastructure systems, and water conservation strategies are incorporated into development planning.
6. Linesight
Linesight is a global construction consultancy founded in 1976 in Ireland. The firm specializes in cost management, project management, and program advisory services for complex construction projects.
Although Linesight primarily focuses on financial and project management aspects of construction, the firm often works on developments where sustainability targets and green building certification requirements are integrated into project objectives.
Linesight supports these projects through services such as lifecycle cost evaluation, procurement planning for sustainable materials, and cost analysis of energy-efficient building technologies.
By coordinating financial planning and construction management, Linesight helps project teams integrate sustainability measures within project budgets and construction timelines.
7. AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsRéalis is a global engineering and project management consultancy headquartered in Canada. Formerly known as SNC-Lavalin Group, the company provides services in engineering design, infrastructure planning, environmental consulting, and project advisory.
The firm has worked on a variety of projects where sustainability considerations are integrated into infrastructure and building development. These projects often involve environmental assessments, energy performance studies, and sustainable design strategies.
AtkinsRéalis provides services such as building performance simulations, environmental planning, and sustainability strategy development, which support the integration of resource-efficient technologies in construction projects.
The company’s experience includes work in sectors such as transportation infrastructure, urban development, and commercial real estate, where sustainable design approaches are increasingly incorporated into planning and development processes.
Summary
EDGE certification is increasingly relevant for construction projects seeking measurable improvements in energy efficiency, water conservation, and material resource management. In Vietnam’s rapidly expanding building sector, developers frequently collaborate with specialized consultancies to integrate sustainability strategies into design and construction processes.
These consultancies provide services such as energy modeling, environmental performance analysis, sustainability planning, and certification management, supporting the technical requirements associated with resource-efficient building development.
The firms discussed in this article include 1. ERKE Consultancy 2. Arup 3. WSP Global 4. Khatib & Alami 5. Ramboll 6. Linesight 7. AtkinsRéalis, each offering expertise in sustainability advisory, engineering design, and project consultancy.
Selecting an appropriate consultancy typically depends on factors such as project scope, sustainability targets, technical expertise requirements, and available project resources. Ultimately, the most suitable partner will depend on consultancy needs, project requirements, team size, and budget considerations.