Preparedness Assessment for the Integration of Sustainability Criteria into the Public Procurement of Infrastructure in Vietnam

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), in cooperation with the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE), has conducted a status assessment, legal review and market readiness assessment on the integration of sustainability standards into the public procurement of infrastructure in Vietnam.

Particular attention was spent on the dissemination of ISO 26000 among governmental procurers, the readiness of small and medium sized enterprises, and the future role of public-private partnerships for infrastructure procurement.

The study finds that current integration of sustainability standards is limited. When standards are included, there is insufficient enforcement due to a lack of transparency or governmental capacity. As infrastructure is a growing and economically important sector, the potential for achieving sustainable development through procurement policies is significant. The assessment, which is conducted based on stakeholder consultations, includes an overview of the legislative and institutional framework, the current integration of sustainability standards, the hurdles and opportunities for future integration, and an overview of market readiness matters.