The LEED Gold green building standard is increasingly becoming a notable competitive advantage for many modern industrial parks. In Vietnam, industrial parks with this certification stand out not only for their high-quality infrastructure but also for their energy efficiency and sustainable development orientation.
KTG Industrial will introduce notable industrial parks that have achieved LEED Gold certification while analyzing the value this standard brings to businesses and investors.
What is LEED Gold? Why has it become the “gold standard” for green industrial parks?
The LEED Certification System and Its 4 Levels
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and awarded by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) [1].
It is one of the most widely adopted green building standards for factories, warehouses, offices, and industrial parks (IPs) worldwide.
LEED certification assesses green buildings based on multiple sustainable development criteria
To achieve LEED certification, a project must meet criteria covering energy, water, materials, indoor environmental quality, and waste management. The total score achieved determines the building’s certification level [2].
LEED is divided into 4 levels based on the total number of points achieved by a project:
- LEED Certified: 40 to 49 points
- LEED Silver: 50 to 59 points
- LEED Gold: 60 to 79 points
- LEED Platinum: 80 points or higher
Among these, LEED Gold is selected by many developers because it provides strong performance across energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental quality while maintaining investment cost feasibility [2].
How does LEED Gold differ from Silver and Platinum?
The different LEED levels are primarily distinguished by the number of points achieved and the degree to which a project meets sustainable development criteria. Compared with LEED Silver, LEED Gold requires higher performance in energy use, water conservation, materials, and environmental quality.
LEED Platinum, meanwhile, is the highest level, with more stringent standards for operational performance and reducing environmental impact.
By balancing investment efficiency with the ability to meet ESG standards, LEED Gold is often considered the “gold standard” for many green industrial parks [2].
LEED Gold-certified projects and ready-built factories in industrial parks
Ready-Built Warehouse and Factory Project at DEEP C Industrial Park, Hai Phong (Phase 2)
DEEP C Industrial Park (Phase 2) includes a ready-built warehouse and factory project developed by KCN Viet Nam, which received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) under the LEED v4 Building Design and Construction: Core and Shell standard in July 2025.
The project incorporates various sustainable development solutions, including energy-efficient design, water-saving equipment, environmentally friendly materials, and measures to improve indoor environmental quality.
In addition to its green building credentials, the project benefits from its strategic location near Lach Huyen Deep-Sea Port, Hai Phong Port, and Cat Bi International Airport, while offering more than 80,000 m² of ready-built warehouse and factory space [3].
These factors have helped the project attract logistics and foreign-invested manufacturing businesses.
Warehouse and factory project at Nhon Trach 6D Industrial Park, Dong Nai
Nhon Trach 6D Industrial Park includes a high-quality ready-built warehouse and factory project developed by KCN Viet Nam in Dong Nai. From the initial development stage, the project was oriented toward LEED Gold standards, demonstrating a commitment to developing green and sustainable industrial real estate.
In addition to its green building standards, the project benefits from a strategic location within a 20 km radius of Cat Lai Port and Cai Mep Port, approximately 10 km from Long Thanh International Airport, and around a 1-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City via the Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway.
The project is also located in an area eligible for various tax incentives, helping businesses optimize investment costs [4].
LEED Gold certification and strong connectivity enhance the appeal of Nhon Trach 6D to investors. Image source: KCN Viet Nam
Along with DEEP C (Phase 2), Nhon Trach 6D strengthens KCN Viet Nam’s reputation in the green industrial real estate sector while attracting businesses operating in high technology, electronics, assembly, processing, supporting industries, and clean manufacturing.
KTG Industrial VSIP Bac Ninh II Project
With strategic transport connectivity and a modern, high-quality development orientation, VSIP Bac Ninh II Industrial Park (IP) is attracting interest from both domestic and international investors, particularly businesses in the high-tech sector.
In addition to its location advantages, VSIP Bac Ninh II features integrated technical infrastructure, a stable power supply for manufacturing, abundant clean water infrastructure, and green, well-ventilated internal roads.
Located within VSIP Bac Ninh II Industrial Park, KTG Industrial VSIP Bac Ninh II has achieved LEED Gold certification. The project provides a sustainable platform that helps investors comply with green standards. Phase 1, with a total leasable area of up to 43,892 m², is an ideal choice to meet the diverse manufacturing needs of businesses.
| Project | Location | LEED Level | Highlights |
| Project at DEEP C Industrial Park (Phase 2) | Hai Phong | Gold | Close to Lach Huyen Deep-Sea Port and Cat Bi Airport; offering more than 80,000 m² of ready-built warehouse and factory space |
| Project at Nhon Trach 6D Industrial Park | Dong Nai | Gold | Close to Cat Lai Port, Cai Mep Port, and Long Thanh Airport; eligible for tax incentives and providing seamless connectivity to Ho Chi Minh City |
| KTG Industrial VSIP Bac Ninh II Project | Bac Ninh | Gold | Excellent transport connectivity to Hanoi and Noi Bai Airport; comprehensively meeting ESG standards |
Why do FDI businesses prioritize LEED Gold-certified industrial parks?
LEED Gold-certified industrial parks are increasingly prioritized by FDI businesses because they meet sustainable development requirements, optimize operating costs, and strengthen competitiveness in international markets.
- Meeting ESG standards and Net Zero 2050 commitments: LEED Gold helps businesses meet ESG objectives, reduce emissions, and use resources efficiently, in line with sustainable development trends and the Net Zero commitments of many global corporations.
- Reducing operating costs: LEED Gold-certified buildings are designed to optimize energy, water, and material use, helping reduce operating costs and improve operational efficiency.
- Competitive advantage in attracting capital and tenants: LEED Gold certification enhances the reputation of an industrial park while attracting FDI businesses in high technology, electronics, logistics, and clean manufacturing.
- Policy trends promoting green buildings: Vietnam is promoting green growth and emissions reduction through various policies, creating incentives for businesses to prioritize green-certified industrial parks from the initial investment stage.
KTG Industrial – an ESG-focused industrial real estate developer
KTG Industrial is a joint venture between Khai Toan Group (KTG) and Boustead Projects (Singapore), providing ready-built factory and warehouse solutions to meet the needs of domestic and international businesses. With a sustainable development orientation, KTG Industrial focuses on applying green building standards to help businesses optimize operations and meet ESG requirements.
KTG Industrial VSIP Bac Ninh II offers LEED Gold-certified factory solutions
KTG Industrial also combines the international experience of Boustead Projects with an in-depth understanding of the Vietnamese market, alongside a strategic partner network and more than 20 years of expertise in industrial facility design and construction. This provides a strong foundation for developing high-quality factory and warehouse projects aligned with ESG principles and green building standards.
Conclusion
The number of LEED Gold-certified projects in Vietnam remains limited, but the development of green industrial real estate is gaining increasing momentum. Prioritizing projects with international certifications not only helps businesses meet global market requirements but also creates a foundation for long-term sustainable development. With a clear ESG orientation, KTG Industrial is gradually providing green, high-quality factory solutions for domestic and international businesses.
References
[1] U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. (2022). What is LEED certification?.
https://support.usgbc.org/hc/en-us/articles/4404406912403-What-is-LEED-certification
[2] U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. LEED rating system.
https://www.usgbc.org/leed
[3] KCN Viet Nam (2025). KCN Viet Nam dat chung nhan Leed Vang cho du an KCN Deep C – Hai Phong (GIAI DOAN 2).
https://kcnvietnam.com/vi/kcn-vietnam-officially-earns-leed-gold-certification-for-kcn-deep-c-haiphong-phase-2/
[4] KCN Viet Nam. KCN Nhon Trach 6D – Dong Nai.
https://kcnvietnam.com/vi/projects/kcn-nhon-trach-6-dong-nai/
