Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hiep – Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Construction Contractors (VACC).
As Vietnam enters a phase of intensified investment in strategic infrastructure projects such as the North-South high-speed railway, nuclear power plants, and urban rail systems, the selection of capable contractors has become more critical than ever. With the Construction Law 2025 set to abolish the construction operation capacity certificate from July 1, 2025, the market urgently needs a reliable alternative screening mechanism.
In response, the Vietnam Association of Construction Contractors (VACC) has proposed the development of a Contractor Capacity Assessment and Ranking Program. This initiative aims to serve as a transparent “filter,” helping project owners identify suitable partners while encouraging businesses to enhance their competitiveness. The program is expected to launch officially in 2026, following consultations with the Ministry of Construction.
Speaking at the “Capacity Assessment and Ranking of Vietnamese Construction Contractors” seminar on December 26, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hiep, Chairman of VACC, highlighted that this marks the first time Vietnam’s construction industry will have a specialized ranking system, drawing on experiences from other sectors.
According to Mr. Hiep, the ranking is not intended to create titles or hierarchies among businesses but to establish a reliable reference database for project owners. This is particularly important given the prevalence of large-scale projects requiring designated bidding or specific selection criteria.
The program, as outlined by VACC, is open not only to association members but also to any construction enterprises willing to participate voluntarily. Contractors will be categorized into three main fields: civil and industrial construction, technical infrastructure, and mechanical and electrical (M&E). A single company can be ranked in multiple fields if it meets the necessary criteria.
Initially, the program will focus on companies with a charter capital of at least 150 billion VND. Notably, contractors will not be ranked numerically (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd) but will be listed alphabetically.
The evaluation criteria are divided into two groups. The mandatory group includes prerequisites such as compliance with the law, full insurance coverage, and no major incidents in the past three years. The specific criteria group consists of four pillars: Experience Capacity (40%), Financial Capacity (30%), Business Performance (20%), and Corporate Governance Reputation (10%). Companies achieving a score of 70% or higher will be ranked, based on self-assessment and validation by an independent council.
Chairman Nguyen Quoc Hiep emphasized that the ranking program is not about “awarding titles” but about standardizing market information. “Ranking does not replace bidding but will help the market avoid situations where contractors take on projects beyond their actual capacity, leading to delays, cost overruns, or disputes,” he stated.
At the seminar, a representative from the Bidding Management Department (Ministry of Finance) praised the ranking system’s role in supporting state-funded projects. However, they stressed the need for objectivity to prevent favoritism or unfair competition. The ranking results should be viewed as an independent information channel, providing insights into contractors’ financial capacity, experience, and reputation.
Mr. Dau Anh Tuan – Vice Secretary General of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
Drawing from the experience of implementing the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI), Mr. Dau Anh Tuan, Vice Secretary General of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), noted that contractor ranking is a sensitive area directly affecting business interests. Therefore, it demands high levels of independence and transparency.
Mr. Tuan warned that if the ranking relies solely on self-reported data without input from project owners or feedback mechanisms, it will struggle to gain trust. “For the ranking to be valuable, it must be seen as a market tool, not an administrative list,” he emphasized.
Citing international examples, Mr. Tuan mentioned that South Korea links contractor rankings to project scales to prevent overreaching; Japan treats post-project results as a company’s “reputation asset”; the UK uses a Common Assessment Standard for pre-qualification criteria; and the US employs the CPARS system for periodic evaluations, which are mandatory for subsequent bids.
According to the plan, the ranking program will engage professional consulting organizations to develop detailed indicators. The evaluation council is expected to include representatives from VACC, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Finance, and VCCI.
The implementation roadmap includes: finalizing the outline between October and December 2025; conducting self-assessments and validations from January to June 2026; and announcing results between June and September 2026. The proposed evaluation cycle is every three years, with funding sourced from the association and voluntary contributions to ensure transparency and independence.
