Many member businesses of the provincial Business Association have recently expressed concerns regarding the challenges in the investment, production, and use of new construction materials. These difficulties revolve around the lack of technical standards, unrealistically low unit prices, absence of financial incentives, and especially the lack of uniformity in the application of these materials in construction projects.

In response to the difficulties raised by its members, the provincial Business Association proactively organized a working session with the Department of Construction to address the issues and propose solutions. Bùi Đức Giang, President of the provincial Business Association, stated: “The Department of Construction has always shown a spirit of cooperation and support for businesses in this difficult period. Based on feedback from our members, the Association urges the Department to address issues related to labor unit prices, natural sand pricing, and technical standards for new materials such as crushed sand and non-fired bricks. These are key factors that will help businesses implement projects more smoothly and confidently invest in new technologies.”

Crushed sand is an effective alternative in the context of increasingly scarce natural sand and tightening extraction regulations. However, businesses producing crushed sand are still facing many challenges. According to a representative from Minh Quý Điện Biên Co., Ltd. - a local crushed sand producer: “We have to invest in sand washing systems, water filtration, and sludge treatment, which are very expensive. The water source must be pumped from afar, and this incurs significant costs daily. Meanwhile, the unit prices set by the Department of Construction are still not in line with actual costs, which makes it difficult for us to compete and sustain our operations. Despite having repeatedly suggested creating a new unit price, it has not been approved yet.”

Similarly, the production of non-fired bricks is still in a process of transition and adaptation. Although this type of material is encouraged by the government for environmental protection and reducing clay extraction, many businesses report a lack of specific construction guidelines and quality control standards, which has led to an unstable market for non-fired bricks. Additionally, the high cost of technology investment, difficult access to loans, and prolonged inventory of products are significant obstacles.

To support businesses, the provincial Business Association has recommended that the Department of Construction adjust the unit price for crushed sand to better reflect actual costs, and also propose to the Ministry of Construction to allow the application of local standards to legalize new construction materials in construction. The Association also advocates for issuing specific technical guidelines for non-fired bricks, organizing training for technical staff, and establishing a quality control process from production to construction to improve usage efficiency.

After listening to and absorbing the suggestions from the Provincial Business Association, Bùi Văn Luyện, Director of the Department of Construction, agreed to resolve the difficulties related to unit prices, standards, crushed sand, and non-fired bricks in the province. Accordingly, the department agreed that non-fired bricks would be used in all construction projects except for residential buildings of level II or higher, and buildings with religious or historical significance, which can continue to use tunnel bricks. For other projects, the use of non-fired bricks will be mandatory. To ensure consistency and effectiveness, the department assigned the Division of Economics and Real Estate to collaborate with relevant units to issue construction guidelines for non-fired bricks, to be completed by June 10, 2025. These guidelines will be sent to investors, project management boards, and the provincial Business Association to disseminate and guide implementation at real construction sites. The Department of Construction will also establish a team to inspect the quality of non-fired bricks at registered production facilities, ensuring an objective and transparent evaluation, which will serve as the basis for announcing the prices and quality of the products.

Regarding crushed sand, the Department of Construction emphasized that it would accelerate the completion and announcement of the unit price and standards for this material. Specifically, the standards will be completed in Q3 and announced at the beginning of Q4 this year. These standards will focus on common construction projects that are easy to apply, enabling businesses to implement them immediately, saving costs, and ensuring feasibility. To carry out this task, the department assigned the Center for Construction Quality Control to conduct sample tests, while the Planning and Finance Division is responsible for funding the project. The funding will be sourced from the state budget, with a contribution from the provincial Business Association to reduce consulting costs for setting the standards, which is expected to save about 30%.

Bùi Văn Luyện confirmed: “We recognize that the development of environmentally friendly new construction materials is an irreversible trend. Therefore, the Department of Construction will continue to closely cooperate with businesses, proactively review regulations, and issue specific guidelines to help businesses feel secure in investing, expanding production, and gradually modernizing the local construction industry.”

Efforts to resolve the difficulties related to construction materials will not only help streamline the supply chain but also create favorable conditions for businesses to maintain operations, adapt flexibly to the new context, and gradually recover sustainably. The positive cooperation between state management agencies and the business community is expected to bring about significant changes in the production of construction materials. The specific solutions regarding standards, unit prices, technical standards, and quality control will not only resolve immediate challenges but also lay the foundation for long-term sustainable development. This will help businesses stabilize production, promote the development of green materials, and contribute to the modernization of the construction industry in a sustainable and environmentally friendly direction.