Nam Long Group promotes greater energy efficient housing projects

What are the benefits from promoting energy efficient property projects?

Pricing is often the top concern for homebuyers since most have to take out loans and carefully manage their finances to repay their debts. 

Five years ago when we started rolling out affordable housing units under Ehome brand, we concentrated on developing designs that could help us save costs while also allowing the users to cut their monthly electricity and water bills.

Do you think the adoption of energy efficient housing has progressed quite slowly in Vietnam?

Yes, that’s right. Many investors when visiting our affordable housing projects were very surprised by the energy efficient designs, because they’re rarely seen in other developments. 

How can we spur on more energy efficient housing designs?

Two issues exist. Firstly, design. When firms decide to sell property products at affordable prices, they need to think first of the design factors which allow them to use the maximum amount of area possible.

Second is the cost factor. The cost of construction may jump several per cent on cost-saving facilities such as using energy efficient lamps or creating air holes or well ventilated corridors, but using these elements could help people save on their monthly outgoings.

 But when energy efficiency standards are in place, the consumers realise the benefits and prefer opting for such projects.

Consumers play the lead role in promoting energy efficient property projects as it is their decisions that force property developers to think how to use their capital more effectively to provide the customers with quality products. Pricing is not the top factor in this regard.

That is also the way for property businesses to develop sustainably.

Nam Long’s Ehome affordable housing projects are backed by institutional investors

The IFC has just given Nam Long $7.5 million equity investment to build more affordable housing under the Ehome brand. What results do you expect to see from the deal?

Vietnam’s property market has yet to escape the doldrums. I expect the IFC’s recent move may help more property firms realise the advantages offered through providing affordable housing with enhanced environmental and social practices, while still adhering to international standards on energy efficient property developments.

The demand for quality affordable housing is huge. We are willing to share experiences in building such houses with other firms. 

I believe this very market segment will quickly recover and could attract even more capital from outside sources if this route is consistently explored.