BUV Becomes Vietnam’s First University to Achieve EDGE Advanced Green Building Certification

BUV’s five-star, EDGE Advanced-certified campus in Ecopark, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Hanoi, 1 April 2025 – British University Vietnam (BUV) became the first university in Vietnam to achieve the internationally recognised EDGE Advanced Green Building Certification, with Campus Phase 1 certified in November 2024 and Campus Phase 2 following in April 2025.

Developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) is a global green building certification system recognising buildings that achieve significant improvements in energy, water and material efficiency. The certification is independently audited and certified by SGS, a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification.

EDGE Advanced is the second level in the system’s three-tier certification framework. To achieve this level, a building must deliver at least 40% energy savings, double the 20% minimum required for basic EDGE Certification, while also meeting required standards for water efficiency and reduced embodied carbon in materials.

BUV’s 6.5-hectare Ecopark campus reflects the University’s long-term commitment to sustainable development and its ambition to become Vietnam’s first carbon-neutral university.

Campus Phase 1 achieved EDGE Advanced Certification by exceeding the programme’s sustainability requirements, delivering a 41% reduction in energy consumption, 22% savings in water usage and 37% lower embodied carbon in construction materials. According to EDGE’s assessment, the campus also reduces approximately 196 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.

These results are supported by an integrated sustainable campus design. The masterplan limits building coverage to approximately 20%, prioritising green and open spaces while maximising natural light and ventilation. The honeycomb-inspired exterior design allows natural light to enter communal areas while supporting natural cooling and reducing electricity consumption.

The campus also incorporates smart shading systems on west- and east-facing areas, LED lighting throughout the buildings and naturally ventilated communal spaces that reduce reliance on air conditioning. Its integrated water system supports domestic use, sanitation and irrigation while minimising waste, alongside sustainable wastewater and waste management solutions.

In April 2025, BUV inaugurated Campus Phase 2 and received EDGE Advanced Certification for the new development. The phase represents an investment of USD 33 million and adds 16,300 square metres of academic and student facilities, including the Student Hub, Food Court and more than 100 lecture halls and specialised classrooms.

Together, the first two phases represent an investment of approximately USD 85 million and increase the campus capacity to 5,500 students from Vietnam and overseas. The five buildings are named after famous British castles: Arundel, Belfast, Cardiff, Dover and Edinburgh.

Sustainability at BUV extends beyond physical infrastructure. Environmental responsibility is embedded across teaching, campus operations and student life, including through the University’s Personal and Social Growth programme, where a sustainability mindset is one of the core attributes students are expected to develop.

The campus also promotes diversity and inclusion through accessible parking areas, elevators, restrooms, pathways and classrooms designed to support students and visitors with disabilities.

“The ongoing expansion of our 5-star campus underlines BUV’s commitment to providing accredited British education, fostering purpose-based impact learning, and equipping students with essential skills to thrive in an ever-changing world. This milestone advances our vision for BUV to be viewed as the number one international university in Vietnam and the surrounding regions,” said Professor Raymond Gordon, Vice-Chancellor and President of BUV.

BUV aims to complete Phase 3 by 2028, increasing the campus capacity to 10,000 students. The total investment across the full campus development is projected to reach USD 165 million.

By achieving EDGE Advanced Certification across both campus phases, BUV continues to demonstrate how sustainable infrastructure can support educational quality, student wellbeing and the long-term development of international higher education in Vietnam.