Decision No. 116/BXD-CSXD on the issuance of the Regulation on the review of urban planning design projects, investment projects, technical designs, and total budgets.

Pursuant to …;

OF THE MINISTER OF CONSTRUCTION

Regarding the issuance of the Regulation on the review of urban planning design projects, investment projects, technical designs, and total budgets,
The Minister of Construction

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- Based on Decree No. 15-CP of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Construction;

- Based on the "Regulation on Investment Management and Construction" issued pursuant to Decree No. 177/CP dated October 20, 1994 of the Government;

- Based on the "Regulation on the Formation, Review, and Implementation of Direct Foreign Investment Projects" issued together with Decree No. 191/CP dated December 28, 1994 of the Government;

- Based on the Decision of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers on the delegation of authority for reviewing urban construction design projects No. 115/CT dated May 2, 1986;

Pursuant to …;

Clause 4 of Article 6Now issues the "Regulation on the Review of Urban Planning Design Projects, Investment Projects, Technical Designs, and Total Budgets."

12/2025/TT-BNNMT dated June 19, 2025 issued by the Minister of Agriculture and EnvironmentThis Regulation shall be implemented within the Ministry of Construction from the date of signature.

Article 3.The Heads of Departments, Directors of Bureaus, Institutes under the Ministry shall be responsible for implementing this decision.

 REGULATIONS

REVIEW OF URBAN PLANNING DESIGN PROJECTS,
INVESTMENT PROJECTS, TECHNICAL DESIGNS, TOTAL BUDGETS
(Issued together with Decision No. 16-5-1995 of the Minister of Construction).

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PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Objects subject to review.

1.1. Industry development plans.

1.2. Urban planning:

1.2.1. Master plan for territorial development.

1.2.2. General urban planning (or comprehensive planning) for cities: industrial zones approved by the Prime Minister.

1.2.3. General urban planning for cities approved by the People's Committee of provinces with the agreement of the Ministry of Construction.

1.2.4. First phase urban planning, detailed planning for important areas in central cities and tourist, rest, cultural, historical relic areas delegated by the Prime Minister to the Ministry of Construction for approval.

1.2.5. Rural construction planning.

1.3. Pre-feasibility studies, feasibility studies group A according to the classification in the "Regulation on Investment Management and Construction" issued pursuant to Decree No. 177-CP dated October 20, 1994 of the Government.

1.4. Direct foreign investment projects group A and some group B projects according to the classification in the "Regulation on the Formation, Review, and Implementation of Direct Foreign Investment Projects" issued pursuant to Decree No. 191-CP dated December 28, 1994 of the Government.

1.5. Pre-feasibility studies, feasibility studies groups A, B, C for domestic investments, groups A-B for direct foreign investments of units under the Ministry.

1.6. Technical designs of construction works belonging to investment projects:

1.6.1. Group A domestic investments in the construction industry (building materials, construction installation industry, water supply and drainage, waste treatment, urban infrastructure, housing projects).

1.6.2. Groups A, B domestic investments in government agencies and organizations directly under the Central Government.

1.6.3. Groups A, B, C of units under the Ministry (except group C of the Vietnam Cement Corporation).

1.6.4. Group A direct foreign investments in all sectors of the economy and society.

1.7. Total budgets of construction works of domestic state investment projects in group A of all industries and localities.

1.8. Total budgets, budgets of construction works of projects under the Ministry (excluding those delegated by the Ministry to State-owned corporations).

1.9. Final accounts reports of construction works of projects under the Ministry.

Article 2. General requirements for reviewed objects.

2.1. For industry development plans (not under the Ministry of Construction), it is necessary to review related contents: general urban planning, the use of construction resources and materials, the capacity to meet labor force and key material needs. The opinion document must reflect the overall development perspective of the market economy and urban development.

2.2. For urban planning, a comprehensive review of the project on all aspects must be conducted as the highest specialized agency for urban planning design of the State.

2.3. For investment projects, technical designs, and total budgets of construction works in the construction industry (building materials, construction installation industry, water supply and drainage, waste treatment, urban infrastructure; housing projects) and projects of units under the Ministry, the review is the responsibility of the Ministry of Construction. Units assigned to review each stage must closely cooperate to fulfill the Ministry's comprehensive responsibility for each project. The review must ensure consistency from the initial stages to the final stages, considering the main aspects of the project.

- Development planning and construction location.

- Production technology or function.

- Technical solutions and design construction methods.

- Construction economics, total investment amount, total budget.

- Compliance with standards, norms, prices, and policies.

- Consistency from the preparation of feasibility study reports, technical design reports, technical design drawings, total budgets...

2.4. For projects in other sectors and localities, the review at each stage must ensure the functions of the Ministry of Construction and permanent members of the National Review Council, focusing mainly on:

- Planning, construction location.

- Architectural and construction technical solutions.

- Economic construction review for projects using state funds.

- Investment form and implementation capability.

- Compliance with national laws, regulations, and mandatory standards on construction.

2.5. For direct foreign investment projects (joint ventures, wholly owned, 100%).

2.5.1. Feasibility study review focuses on:

- Planning, location, infrastructure conditions, especially water supply and drainage, legality of construction products.

- Preliminary architectural and construction solutions.

- Safety measures in structural design, construction, and installation technology compared to Vietnam's mandatory standards.

Comments on construction costs should include comparisons with domestic, regional price levels, and completed projects (for joint venture and wholly owned projects).

- For construction industry projects, in addition to the above content, technological investment and equipment compatibility with industry planning and development plans should also be considered.

2.5.2. Technical design review focuses on:

- Legal status of the preparer and completeness of the design documentation.

- Compatibility of architecture and floor plans with approved projects and specific technical conditions (infrastructure, foundation, adjacent structures...).

- Compliance with safety conditions according to Vietnam's mandatory standards and permitted foreign standards.

2.6. The review of the total preliminary budget must ensure:

- Consistency in construction volume with the approved technical design.

- Reasonableness in price, unit price for construction, and other costs.

- Adherence to norms and state policies.

- A reasonable total value of the preliminary construction budget (to be compared with similar projects constructed domestically and internationally) and not exceeding the approved investment ceiling. In cases where the total preliminary budget exceeds the approved investment ceiling in the investment decision, the reasons must be analyzed and comments made on those reasons to report to the competent authority for consideration and decision.

Article 3. General process for review:

3.1. All types of files sent to the Ministry of Construction must go through the Ministry’s Office for registration in the logbook and stamped clearly with the date of receipt. The Ministry will not sign reply documents for files without the stamp of the Ministry’s Office (maximum time at the Ministry’s Office is 0.5 days).

3.2. The Review Office receives files from the Ministry’s Office, records and stores summarized information (according to the model in the appendix) in the computer, plans, and presents to the leadership of the Department to assign tasks to the reviewing units and cooperating units. Assignments must have the signature of the Department’s leadership; in case the Department’s leadership is absent, the Director of the Office signs.

For files sent that are urban planning schemes and Group A projects, the Review Office must prepare a report to present to the leadership of the Ministry immediately upon receiving the files.

3.3. The Review Office transfers original files (with official letters or original copies) to the main reviewing units (maximum time at the Review Office is 1 day).

3.4. The head of the main reviewing unit assigns specialists to study, coordinate with related units or organize a review council as directed by the Department’s leadership when necessary.

After collecting opinions from the coordinating unit of the Review Council or experts, the assigned specialist drafts documents according to the following types: draft documents for comments, functional department opinion documents, National Review Council member speech documents, directive documents, examination documents.

Draft documents are checked, revised, signed by the head of the main reviewing unit, and transferred to the Review Office for presentation to the Department’s leadership for signing.

Specialists and the main reviewing unit have the responsibility to present, answer questions, and revise drafts when requested by the Department’s leadership. The Review Office monitors the issuance and feedback from the receiving agency, informing the main reviewing unit and reporting to the leadership when there are different opinions.

3.5. Cooperating units or experts designated by the Department receive requests and materials from the main reviewing unit and are responsible for studying and writing opinions (signed by the unit’s head or research specialist) and sending them to the main reviewing unit within the required timeframe. When necessary, exchanges can be organized between collaborating specialists on professional issues or site surveys.

3.6. After the Department’s leadership approves the draft document, the Review Office reviews and revises it according to the requirements of the approving head, and informs the main reviewing unit of significant changes. Thereafter, the draft specialist transfers the document to the Administrative Department for typing, checking the typed version, obtaining signatures from the unit’s head and the Ministry’s Office on one copy (for the Office’s record), and transferring it to the Secretariat for consolidation to present to the Department’s leadership for signing.

The number of copies for signing includes three copies for retention: one at the Ministry’s archives, one at the Review Office, and one placed in the original file (main reviewing unit) for archival storage.

Chapter II
REVIEW OF URBAN PLANNING PROJECTS

 

Article 4. Requirements for reviewing various urban planning projects.

4.1. For sector development plans (economic, social) led by the Deputy Minister responsible for the field, the main reviewing unit organizes a report to the Department’s leadership upon completion of the review.

4.2. For comprehensive plans (overall urban development plans), a review council must be organized (including for adjustment projects requiring the opinion of the Ministry of Construction). After the review council concludes, the leading unit must report to the Minister through the content of the Ministry’s opinion.

4.3. For detailed plans (including specialized sector plans requiring the opinion of the Ministry of Construction), the Deputy Minister responsible for the field leads the review, and the results are reported to the Minister for decision.

Article 5. The Architecture and Planning Department leads the review of urban and rural construction planning projects.

Main reviewing units for investment projects lead the review of sector planning projects.

Cooperating units: the Review Office, the Institute of Urban and Rural Planning, and other expert units as required by the Deputy Minister responsible for the field.

Article 6. The Review Council for urban and rural construction planning projects is the Architecture and Planning Council of the Minister chaired by the Deputy Minister responsible for the field.

 Chapter III
REVIEW OF DOMESTIC INVESTMENT PROJECTS

Article 7. The Planning Department leads the review of investment projects under the Ministry of Construction, including Groups A, B, and C (excluding Group C of the Cement Corporation).

Cooperating units vary depending on the subject, as determined by the Department’s leadership.

For construction works in Group A and B investment projects, a Ministry-level Review Council must be established for examination before presenting to the Minister.

The Ministry’s Investment Project Review Council is chaired by the Deputy Minister responsible for the field, with representatives from the Planning, Finance, Construction Policy, Science and Technology, and Building Materials Departments (for building materials projects). The Architecture and Planning Department, the Construction Economics Institute are members; additionally, invited experts participate.

Article 8. The Review Office, in addition to its consolidation responsibilities, is responsible for the main review of Group A investment projects outside the Ministry for civilian construction works (hotels, hospitals, schools, production facilities in commerce, healthcare, education, and central organizations).

Article 9. The Architecture and Planning Department is responsible for the main review of Group A investment projects outside the Ministry for construction works such as water supply and drainage, environmental treatment, national parks, sports areas, concentrated industrial zones, residential areas, national university campuses, and other projects with important architectural works located in cities of Type I and II.

Article 10. The Construction Materials Department shall primarily review investment projects outside the Group A for production of construction materials, extraction of materials and raw materials, and development plans for construction materials.

Review the technology portion of construction materials for investment projects under the Ministry and its sectors in localities.

Article 11. The Department of Housing Management shall primarily review housing projects, public service housing projects funded by the state budget, and housing development plans.

Article 12. The Department of Construction Policy shall primarily review investment projects outside the Ministry belonging to industries such as industry, agriculture, forestry, fisheries; water resources, transportation, energy, oil and gas, telecommunications, broadcasting, and defense and security works (excluding projects listed in Articles 8, 9, 10, and 11).

Chapter IV
REVIEW OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT PROJECTS 

Article 13The primary reviewing units shall be responsible for reviewing foreign direct investment projects in Groups A and B, corresponding to Articles 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of domestic investment projects.

The Planning Department shall primarily review joint venture projects where one party is a unit under the Ministry.

Article 14. For foreign direct investment projects in Group A, the primary reviewing unit shall be responsible for reporting the project content to the Minister or the Ministry's leadership.

In cases where the Prime Minister requests the establishment of a National Appraisal Council, the Deputy Minister in charge of the sector shall be responsible for reporting and seeking approval from the Minister before attending the meeting.

Chapter V
REVIEW OF DESIGN AND TOTAL ESTIMATE

Article 15. The Planning Department shall organize the review of design and total estimate for projects under the Ministry.

For projects in Groups A and B, a Design and Total Estimate Appraisal Council must be established, chaired by the Deputy Minister in charge of the sector, with regular members including representatives from the Planning Department, Financial Accounting Department, Science and Technology Department, Inspection Bureau, Construction Policy Department, Urban Architecture and Planning Department, Material Department (for construction material production projects), and Economic Institute, along with invited experts.

This Council shall be chaired by the Deputy Minister in charge of the sector, and regular members include representatives from the Planning Department, Financial Accounting Department, Science and Technology Department, Inspection Bureau, Construction Policy Department, Urban Architecture and Planning Department, Material Department (for construction material production projects), and Economic Institute, along with invited experts.

Article 16. The Appraisal Office shall primarily organize the technical design review for construction projects under domestic investment projects:

- Group A projects of Ministries and localities within the construction sector: construction material industry; water supply and environmental treatment, construction installation industry. - Group A projects of central government agencies and central mass organizations (including total estimates).

- Group B projects of central government agencies and central mass organizations (including total estimates approved by the Minister of Construction) and technical design for construction projects under foreign direct investment projects in Group A.

For projects that require the establishment of an Appraisal Council according to the directive of the Ministry's leadership, the Appraisal Office shall prepare it. This Council shall be chaired by the Deputy Minister in charge, with regular members including the Appraisal Office, Inspection Bureau, Science and Technology Department, and the Department primarily responsible for appraising the investment project, along with some invited experts. Depending on the subject, representatives from the supervising agency, State Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Environment, some related agencies, and the Government Office may also be invited.

Article 17. The Construction Economics Institute shall be responsible for primarily reviewing the total estimates for projects outside the Ministry in Group A..

In cases where the establishment of a Total Estimate Appraisal Council is required according to the directive of the Ministry's leadership, the Economics Institute shall cooperate with the Appraisal Office to organize the Total Estimate Appraisal Council chaired by the Deputy Minister in charge, with regular members including the Appraisal Office, Construction Economics Institute, the Department primarily responsible for appraising the investment project, and some invited experts. Depending on the subject, representatives from the supervising agency, State Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Environment, Government Price Board, some related agencies, and the Government Office may also be invited.

Article 18. For projects outside the Ministry that require both technical design and total estimate reviews, a Technical Design - Total Investment Appraisal Council shall be established, including regular members from both councils mentioned above.

Chapter VI
IMPLEMENTATION

Article 19. Participation in meetings of advisory councils, appraisal meetings, both within and outside the sector, must be through designation by the authorized head.

18.1. Invitations for representatives of the Ministry, Ministry leaders, and National Appraisal Council members attending meetings organized by the Ministry shall be issued by the Ministry's leadership. If delegated, leaders of the Departments and Bureaus of the primary reviewing unit shall attend (accompanied by file processing staff).

18.2. Invitations for representatives of Departments, Bureaus, Institutes, and specialists shall be issued by the head of the unit, appointing file processing staff and, if necessary, inviting cooperating specialists to attend. Specialists attending meetings outside the Ministry must designate a representative to speak.

18.3. All participants in meetings outside the Ministry must prepare their contributions in writing and only speak according to the prepared document. Afterward, they must record a summary of the meeting on a standard report form (appendix) attached to the submitted opinion and keep it in the file along with the draft text.

Article 20. The dossier submitted for the Minister's approval of the draft document should include:

19.1. A request for appraisal or a letter from the requesting agency bearing the Ministry's archive stamp.

19.2. The entire dossier (or a summarized report if the dossier is too large) from the submitting agencies.

19.3. An information summary (according to the model).

19.4. A draft document with the name and signature of the main researcher (at the end) and the signature of the head of the primary reviewing unit (on the first page).

The officially printed document for signing shall bear the signatures of the Ministry's Office and the head of the primary reviewing unit, accompanied by the draft already signed off by the Ministry's leadership.

Article 21.

- The Appraisal Office is the lead agency for the appraisal work, responsible for checking and urging to ensure timely appraisals. When delays are detected at any stage, they must promptly report to the Ministry's leadership for handling.

The Appraisal Office is responsible for the quality of received dossiers and for reviewing documents before the Ministry's Office sends them out.

- The principal officers handling the files and the heads of units conducting the main review shall be responsible for the content of the review, closely coordinate with assigned units, and bear primary responsibility for any errors or delays in time as stipulated for projects, designs, total estimates, and construction planning designs assigned to them.

- Units assigned to cooperate must work closely with the main unit and be responsible for their opinions on the assigned projects.

- Invited experts shall be individually responsible for their opinions.

Article 22. This regulation shall take effect from the date of signature. The Director of the Ministry's Office, Heads of Departments, Bureaus, Institutes, Inspection Boards, and the Review Office shall be responsible for organizing the dissemination of this regulation to all specialized staff members of their units. Any violations of this regulation shall be examined and administrative measures taken according to the current regulations based on the severity of the violation.

Within two months from the effective date of this review regulation, all units that have conducted the main review of previous files must complete the file retention (Article 20) for all completed reviewed subjects and hand over to the Review Office. The Review Office shall organize the storage and utilization of these files.