During the National Assembly’s November 14 discussion, Minister of Construction provided detailed clarifications on the amended Construction Law draft, emphasizing streamlined procedures, improved permitting, and strengthened quality management.
The Minister underscored that the revised law focuses on establishing overarching legal principles, while detailed technical matters—given their need for flexibility—will be regulated through government decrees and ministerial circulars. Currently, the construction sector applies more than 15,300 standards covering surveying, design, and construction activities. The Ministry plans to accelerate improvements to standards, regulations, unit prices, and digitalization to enhance efficiency.
Minister Tran Hong Minh provides clarifications to lawmakers during the National Assembly’s discussion on the amended Construction Law draft.
Regarding project formulation and appraisal, Minister Minh noted that existing procedures remain complex, with multiple design stages and repetitive surveys. The draft law proposes granting more authority to project owners, integrating basic design with technical design, and applying a single-step appraisal to reduce timelines and improve cost accuracy.
On construction permitting, the revised draft requires permits only for projects outside approved planning areas or those exceeding seven stories. Processing times would be shortened to 7–10 days, and procedures made more transparent and predictable. The law also streamlines project management structures by consolidating them into two types: professional PMUs and commune-level PMUs.
Addressing construction quality management, Minister Minh affirmed that current regulations already provide comprehensive requirements covering acceptance at every stage—from individual tasks to completion and post-warranty inspections. Recent incidents, he noted, highlight the importance of strict implementation by investors, consultants, and supervisory units rather than gaps in the legal framework.
The Minister concluded that the amended law aims to modernize the construction sector, reduce administrative burdens, and improve accountability, thereby creating more favorable conditions for citizens, businesses, and project developers.