Xin chào! Tôi tên là Hân. Today was our first day of classes, and during our Vietnamese language class we got Vietnamese names. I was super excited to start learning some of the language since it is entirely different from every language I have studied before, and I am something of a linguistics nerd. We also got a lecture on the development of the Mekong Delta, which I found fascinating.
Today was also our first company visit! We got to visit GreenViet, which is a sustainable construction consulting firm. This visit was particularly exciting for me, as this was the company I had researched ahead of time.
GreenViet provides both LEED and LOTUS certifications. These certifications verify that a building is energy and water saving, as well as healthy for the occupants by having good air quality. Since these measures both help the people in the building and save money over time for the owners, they clearly show how sustainability does not have to be a sacrifice.
Since the focus on sustainability has only come to the limelight recently, GreenViet is working in a very new sector. Within this, they have found great success; their projects make up half of the market share. Something very important to this success is that they are able to manage the price and quality of their service very well. GreenViet sits in the mid-price range for this type of service and their capabilities also sit in the mid-range. While their capabilities might not outweigh those of firms in more developed economies, they are able to balance this well with a lower price that is more competitive in the Vietnamese market. They also remain more capable than other competitors in Vietnam. They have also been able to expand internationally, but their main focus remains as Vietnam.
Currently, US tariffs have come into effect and will change up the economy in Vietnam. The tariffs are an attempt to move manufacturing out of Vietnam. For GreenViet, for whom most projects are industrial facilities, this could mean a loss in their biggest sector.
Today was a super exciting day, and I can’t wait to learn more of the language and visit more local companies!