In October 2025, the Eco Harmony Social Housing Project in Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province, was officially awarded the EDGE Preliminary Certificate. This marks the first social housing project in the Central Highlands to achieve an international green building certification, demonstrating the commitment of Capital House Group and Dak Lak Urban Development Investment Co., Ltd. to promoting sustainable development models for the low-income housing segment.
The success of the project highlights an important reality: green buildings are not an exclusive privilege of the high-end segment. With simple technical solutions, readily available materials, and a practical approach, green criteria can be fully integrated into social housing models without significantly increasing investment costs. This paves the way for a more inclusive path, enabling people from all walks of life to access sustainable living environments, reduce operating costs, and enhance long-term quality of life.
A milestone for the “Green Social Housing” model
Located in the KM7 Residential Urban Area in Tan An Ward, Eco Harmony comprises 17 buildings with a total floor area of over 83,000 m². Among them, blocks XH1-A, XH1-B, and XH2.1, featuring nearly 700 apartments, are the first components to receive the EDGE Preliminary Certificate.
Designed with a focus on energy efficiency, responsible water use, and eco-friendly materials, the project achieved remarkable performance indicators:
- 23% energy savings
- 31% water savings
- 49% reduction in embodied carbon in materials, equivalent to a reduction of approximately 740 tons of CO₂ per year compared to conventional buildings.
This stands as clear evidence of the feasibility of applying green building standards to affordable housing, helping to reduce long-term operating costs and enhance the quality of life for residents — a group that has traditionally had limited access to sustainable living standards.
Green solutions advised and implemented by VILANDCO
As the green building and energy simulation consultant, VILANDCO accompanied the developer throughout the design, assessment, and EDGE certification process. The solutions proposed and implemented by VILANDCO include:
- Reducing the window-to-wall ratio to minimize heat loss,
- Using high-reflectance materials for walls and roofs to reduce solar heat absorption,
- Applying high-efficiency lighting systems and enhancing natural ventilation,
- Installing water-efficient fixtures such as low-flow showerheads, faucets, and dual-flush toilets,
- Utilizing hollow bricks, cast-in-place reinforced concrete, and low-carbon materials to minimize emissions during construction.
Through these measures, the project not only achieves operational efficiency but also significantly reduces carbon emissions throughout the building’s lifecycle — all while ensuring technical feasibility and maintaining affordable initial investment costs.
Benefits of Green Buildings
The value that Eco Harmony delivers goes beyond technical performance — it lies in the practical benefits it brings to residents and the wider community:
- Cost savings: Significant reductions in electricity, water, and maintenance costs through energy-efficient design and durable, sustainable materials.
- Property value: Green buildings tend to retain value and have higher market liquidity, especially as sustainable living becomes an increasingly dominant trend.
- Comfortable living: Spaces are optimized for natural ventilation and daylight, ensuring health, comfort, and well-being for families.
- Greener environment: Reduced CO₂ emissions and urban heat island effects, creating a cleaner, more nature-friendly living environment.
As a result, the project is not merely a residential development — it represents a model for sustainable socio-environmental growth, aligning community benefits with the nation’s green development goals.
The EDGE certification of Ecohome Harmony Dak Lak reflects a pioneering perspective: “Green is not only for premium developments — it should begin where social value is greatest”. This achievement also demonstrates the effectiveness of VILANDCO’s comprehensive green building consultancy system, contributing to accelerating Vietnam’s transition toward Net Zero by 2050.