Explore a green university campus like a five-star resort in northern Vietnam

BUV has recently launched the second phase of its campus at Ecopark. Following the EDGE Advanced certification awarded to to the first phase in November 2024, BUV is continuing to uphold green values, which are the foundation of all sustainable development.

Once again, the university impresses with its resort-style campus featuring modern architecture. The majority of the space is covered by greenery, water features, and open areas, making it ideal for students to explore and create freely.

Built-up space accounts for only 20 per cent of the total campus area, highlighting BUV’s commitment to open, green spaces and a high-quality setting for learning and student life. This architectural approach is perfectly aligned with the broader vision of Ecopark, recognised as Asia’s most outstanding sustainable township.

Surrounding BUV’s five buildings is a distinctive honeycomb-style facade that brings natural light into communal spaces while functioning as a natural ventilation system, ensuring fresh air throughout the campus.

These advanced design solutions contribute to an impressive average energy saving of 44.97 per cent across the entire university.

All construction materials used in the second phase meet high-quality standards and feature smart, sustainable designs. For example, reflective or tinted insulating glass is used to reduce heat radiation, ceramic floor tiles are kept thin to limit material usage, and the roofing is lightweight with thermal insulation and integrated solar panels.

Although this approach involves higher initial investment costs, it results in nearly 50 per cent lower carbon emissions compared to conventional designs while also offering better overall user experience.

As the first university in Vietnam to receive EDGE advanced certification in its first phase, BUV is continuing to implement green technologies in Phase 2, including LED lighting and solar energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

These efforts have enabled the university to achieve energy savings of around 43.13 per cent compared to a standard university building. This figure far exceeds the minimum requirement of 20 per cent, reflecting BUV’s serious investment and strong commitment to sustainable development.

To encourage sustainable practices, BUV’s Phase 2 campus is designed to maximise natural light in shared spaces such as lobbies, lounges, and corridors.

Clean water systems at BUV are carefully designed with precise calculations for flow rate, pressure, and storage capacity to optimise students’ daily experience, including full residential project weeks on campus.

These systems also support landscape irrigation, helping the university save over 29.94 per cent of water compared to conventional buildings​.

In European culture, water symbolises inner wisdom and depth of thought, while trees represent ancient knowledge, legacy, and continuous growth.

These elements are deeply embedded in the design of BUV, not only encouraging a spirit of lifelong learning among students, but also shaping an ideal green space.

Blending harmoniously with nature, the campus offers a refreshing environment that inspires creativity in every moment of study and relaxation.

Every corner of BUV is thoughtfully designed to create a relaxed learning environment that eases stress and sparks endless creativity.

Tree-lined walkways and sunlit courtyards are not just part of the landscape, they serve as sources of inspiration, nurturing creativity and a passion for learning.

The campus features a variety of green spaces, from wide open lawns to gently sloped grassy areas, thoughtfully integrated throughout to encourage student interaction and connection.

These spaces are not only places to relax or organising discussions but also serve as sources of creative inspiration, offering new perspectives and ideas. From a technical perspective, the sloped green areas also support rainwater collection systems used for landscape irrigation.

The use of modern technology at BUV enhances the learning experience and optimises energy efficiency.

Classrooms are equipped with advanced interactive boards that automatically adjust brightness levels for optimal energy use, alongside natural ventilation and eco-friendly lighting systems.

Together, these features create a green learning environment where knowledge is nurtured and an environmentally conscious lifestyle is encouraged.

With a strong commitment to building a sustainable green future, BUV pays close attention to every detail, from selecting environmentally friendly construction materials and furnishing interiors in harmony with nature, to designing spaces that maximise natural light and ventilation.

In addition to natural greenery, the campus also makes creative use of colour through painted surfaces and decorative forms to stimulate visual interest, inspire creativity, and enhance aesthetics. Together, these elements shape an open, inspiring learning environment.

By pioneering the use of insulated roofing panels, making up 89 per cent of materials used, compared to just 11 per cent of traditional concrete, BUV has made a significant mark in sustainability.

This approach has led to an average reduction of 52 per cent in energy use and embodied carbon in construction materials, far exceeding the required 20 per cent benchmark.

It represents a major achievement in the university’s ongoing efforts to cut emissions and minimise its environmental impacts.

Instead of conventional flat walls, the building adopts a zigzag design of walls and glass panels, with carefully angled surfaces specifically calculated to minimise direct heat absorption and noise from the west, an area exposed to harsh sunlight and a busy road.

This subtle yet innovative solution also optimises natural light intake, creating a bright and airy environment for learning and working while giving the building a distinctive and modern aesthetic.

At BUV, green spaces are seamlessly integrated as an essential part of its beautiful QS 5-star campus. They enhance the landscape and support the mental wellbeing of the community. These lush areas also carry deeper philosophical messages about knowledge and the sustainable values the university upholds.

This forward-thinking approach has earned BUV the EDGE Advanced green building certification for all five buildings, awarded by the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group through the assessment and audit of SGS- the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company.

BUV is currently the first university in Vietnam to receive this certification, marking a bold step towards becoming a pioneer in carbon neutrality.

Efforts to implement the National Green Cooling Action Plan will contribute to ensuring energy security, promoting Vietnam’s resilience to the impacts of climate change, and helping Vietnam realise its net-zero goal by 2050, explains DO MANH TOAN, country programme coordinator for the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership, a programme of the United Nations Office for Project Services.

Speaking at the Vietnam M&A Forum 2024 on November 27, Luu Thi Thanh Mau, CEO of Phuc Khang Corporation, shared insights into the company’s M&A journey to develop green building projects that align with international standards.

After developing an ecosystem of green energy, sustainable materials, and innovative agriculture over the past two decades, Xuan Thien Group has been granted a Corporate Excellence award at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) in October.