HCMC – The Ministry of Construction will shorten construction permit processing times to between seven and 20 days and require Building Information Modeling (BIM) data under revised, decentralized procedures effective January 15.
The ministry has issued amended administrative procedures in the construction sector in line with regulations on decentralization and delegation of authority, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
Under the new framework, there will be nine administrative procedures handled at the provincial level and six at the commune level. Depending on the scope, provincial-level procedures will be processed by provincial construction departments, authorized socio-professional organizations, or management boards of industrial parks, export processing zones, high-tech parks, and economic zones, as delegated by provincial people’s committees.
At the provincial level, new construction permits will apply to special-grade, Grade I, and Grade II projects. These include non-linear works, urban linear projects, religious and belief-related structures, monuments and large-scale artworks, phased projects, and projects of diplomatic missions and international organizations. The maximum processing time is 20 days.
Investors may submit applications directly, online, or via postal services at provincial public administration centers or authorized zone management boards.
Within seven working days of receiving an application, the licensing authority must appraise the dossier, conduct site inspections, and issue a single written notice if additional or revised documents are required. If supplementary documents remain inadequate, authorities must provide further guidance or issue a written explanation for refusing the permit.
Once a complete and valid dossier is received, the permit must be processed within 20 days. In cases requiring further review, the deadline may be extended by up to 10 days, with written notification to the investor.
The ministry has tightened documentation requirements and added BIM data for the first time. Required documents include a standardized application form, lawful land-use papers, project approval decisions, appraised construction designs, results of procedures related to fire prevention and environmental protection, and two sets of construction drawings.
Under the new rules, investors must submit BIM data in native format and IFC 4.0 or another open standard. The BIM model must fully reflect the project’s location, three-dimensional spatial form, and dimensions of key structural components.
Construction permits must comply with approved construction planning, land-use purposes, safety requirements for the structure and adjacent buildings, fire and explosion prevention, environmental protection, cultural heritage preservation, and national defense and security. Construction designs must be appraised and approved in accordance with the law.
Competent authorities include provincial construction departments or management boards of designated functional zones, as authorized by provincial people’s committees. Permit fees will follow rates set by provincial-level people’s councils.
