Vietnamese CEO earns Women in Green Building Leadership accolade

The prestigious international award has been deemed part of a long journey for Mau, who has strived to become a "green CEO" in construction in Vietnam.

CEO Luu Thi Thanh Mau (in ao dai) with the organisers of the Asia-Pacific Leadership in Green Building awards held in Indonesia

The Women in Green Building Leadership category was part of the Asia-Pacific Leadership in Green Building event, which has been organised by the World Green Building Council every two years since 2014. The award honours businesses and individuals in the region that have made outstanding achievements in green and sustainable development and construction.

The co-founder and CEO of Phuc Khang Corporation, Mau was the sole representative of Vietnam nominated to compete with representatives across Asia-Pacific.

With her dedication to green building, Mau was appreciated by the jury and officially honoured as a female leader who offers many contributions in this year's female category. According to Mau, the award is recognition and inspiration for the CEO to confidently step forward and continue to create and spread good values in the community.

Thirteen years of struggle

Mau’s journey in green building started when she established Phuc Khang Corporation in 2009. At that time, aged 30, with the encouragement and support of her family and like-minded associates, she founded the company with much determination.

In 2015, with the hope of leveraging up the Vietnamese property industry, Mau made a visit to Japan to sound out cooperation and investment opportunities and learn from others. With her efforts, Mau grasped the opportunity to cooperate with world-renowned Mitsubishi Corporation.

At the end of 2017, Phuc Khang Construction and Investment Corporation inked a deal with Mitsubishi to establish Phuc Khang Mitsubishi Corporation Holding. Mitsubishi held a 49 per cent stake in the venture, while Phuc Khang owned the remainder. The strategic partnership was set up to jointly develop the Diamond Lotus project, which was the first housing project in Vietnam to meet global LEED standards – it was built based on Gold LEED standards from the American Green Building Council and LOTUS standards of the Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC).

By strictly following the principles of ensuring health and comfort according to green standards, Diamond Lotus Riverside has recorded positive indicators in saving electricity and water energy.

In October 2021, Diamond Lotus Riverside was awarded a LOTUS Provisional certification by the VGBC and is on track to reach Gold level at the full certification stage. In March this year, Diamond Lotus Riverside was named one of the top 5 best smart green building projects for 2021 by Vietnam Real Estate Magazine and the Vietnam Institute for Real Estate Research.

Diamond Lotus Riverside – a green building developed by Phuc Khang Corporation

Another venture, Vietnam Bamboo Convention Centre, was also awarded a LOTUS SB Gold certificate. In addition, its two house models were also granted LOTUS Homes Certified from the VGBC.

“I am thrilled to see that the green seeds I planted have spread their value. High-quality green buildings will continue to be the means for Phuc Khang Corporation to make good products in line with global trends, spreading the spirit of green living to everyone and contributing to sustainable development,” Mau said.

Green journey

Mau is determined to preserve national cultural values and contribute to the development of the community. "I not only want to set up green buildings but also create green communities, green urban areas, and a green future," she said.

In addition to her role as CEO, Mau also holds several positions at other associations, such as vice president of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association and vice chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association. In each role, she makes an active and dedicated contribution to the development of green architecture in the country and beyond, towards addressing global environmental issues.

Mau (left) with the organiser of the awards ceremony

“Responsibility for the community is one of the focuses of the company's sustainable development strategy. Sustainable development, first and foremost, is responsible development,” Mau said.

Phuc Khang Corporation has partaken in various corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaigns, both short- and long-term. Typical programmes include the Green Heart Volunteer campaign, and a strategy to work alongside social enterprises and prestigious universities to fight against the recent pandemic.

Methodical and comprehensive programmes help Phuc Khang Corporation better fulfil its CSR responsibilities and move closer to creating equal humane values and balancing social resources for society and sustainable development, Mau explained.

Phuc Khang in top 10 sustainable enterprises in Vietnam in 2021 Phuc Khang corporation has been ranked in Vietnam’s top 10 sustainable businesses in 2021, signifying the impressive rise of a responsible green developer.

Diamond Lotus Riverside is awarded Lotus Provisional Certification by VGBC Green building developer Phuc Khang Corporation has recently celebrated its high-class Diamond Lotus Riverside being awarded Lotus Provisional Certification by the Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC), making the first step to the Lotus Certification.

Creating value for the community by going green: Phuc Khang Corporation CEO 'Green building' is a means for Phuc Khang Corporation to make the right products in line with global trends, spreading the green living spirit to everyone and contributing to the national strategy for green growth.

Phuc Khang Corporation CEO proposes update to green building rules It is necessary to strengthen the development of green finance and credit, and enhance legal documents on green building standards, according to Luu Thi Thanh Mau, CEO of Phuc Khang Corporation.

Phuc Khang-Mitsubishi journey: the desire to create sustainable value Sustainability is often discussed in key meetings involving Phuc Khang Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation, its Japanese partner, as the pair strive to create a more sustainable and connected value system through ventures like Diamond Lotus Riverside.