Career Advice Detail Asean

Construction

Overview

The Vietnamese construction industry recorded a compound annual growth rate of 16.12% during the period from 2009 to 2013. The industry outlook is favourable, due to the government’s focus industrial and residential construction. In 2014, a loan package of VND70 trillion (US$3.3 billion) has been announced to support investors, contractors, and building material suppliers to create credit flow and speed up construction projects. According to the Foreign Investment Agency of Vietnam (FIA), in the first half of 2014, the industry ranked as the second-largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI).

Besides, expansion in the tourism and retail sectors, coupled with Government investment strategies in infrastructure projects, will support industry growth. The industry’s output is therefore expected to record a nominal growth rate of 11.43% for the period 2014 – 2018.

Construction currently has a relatively low qualified workforces particularly in management – project management. An ageing workforce at senior level is also another problem. All that brings various career opportunities for construction graduates to work in Vietnam.

Source:
https://timetric.com/research/report/cn0204mr--construction-in-vietnam-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2018/
http://rlb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/vietnam-report-june-14.pdf

Career opportunities 

Employment opportunities under the title of building and construction can be grouped into:

• Architecture: Typically architects are involved with coming up with the initial concepts for new buildings. From family homes to shopping malls – every single property starts life as an idea on a piece of paper before being commissioned and brought into existence.
• Civil engineering: Everything from swimming pools to motorways and coastal defences are brought to life by civil engineers. In this sector you plan a structure then stay with it through the development until the project comes to fruition.
• Construction: The construction industry features many different roles, right from labourers to project managers. The different roles all require different qualifications – most graduates in the construction industry tend to work in the quantity surveying environment.

Following are examples of graduate jobs in the sector:

- Architect
- Building services engineer
- Building surveyor
- Estate agent
- Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer
- Quantity surveyor
- Site engineer
- Structural engineer
 

Source:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/property_construction_sector_graduate_jobs.htm
http://www.graduates.co.uk/building-and-construction/

Key employers

Construction graduates have a variety of option to work at state-owned or private-owned consulting, design and construction firms. They can also chose a research or education career, or work in related governmental agency such as Construction Department, Department of Transport, etc.
Graduates should also consider working in such areas as: in the North part - Quang Ninh, Lao Cai, Bac Ninh and in the South part - Ho Chi Minh city, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Vung Tau which have many construction projects resulting in high demand for qualified construction labour.

Source:
http://www.ou.edu.vn/dacbiet/Pages/eq.aspx
http://www.huongnghiepviet.com/v3/huong-nghiep/nganh-nghe/xay-dung-giao-thong-ha-tang/34-nganh-xay-dung-dan-dung-va-cong-nghiep

Architect companies:
VNCC – Website: http://www.vncc.vn/
Archetype – Website: http://www.archetype-group.com/
HTT group – Website: http://htt-group.com/
Construction supervision contractor
Coninco – Website: http://www.coninco.com.vn/
Coteccons – Website: http://www.coteccons.vn/
Construction joint stock company which is under the management of Ministry of Transport
Thang Long Construction Corporation – Website:  http://www.thanglonggroup.com.vn/
Civil Engineering Construction Corporation No 1, 2, 3, 4 5 6 8 (CIENCO)
 

Useful website

Following are forums of some famous architecture and construction university in Vietnam where students in particular and users in general can discuss and share experience as well as career opportunities:
http://www.svxd.com/
http://cauduong.edu.vn/diendan/
http://congdongkien.forumvi.com/forum

Besides, the below website may provide useful information and knowledge in the field:
www.archdaily.com
www.archinect.com
www.kienviet.com
www.ashui.com

Advice

Knowledge and skills can be obtained while at university by building up teamwork and taking on projects to gain experience of project-based work. Besides the coursework, any projects you take on as part of extra-curricular activities, student societies or part-time work would be helpful.

With relevant work experience, graduates can also consider postgraduates study to strengthen your knowledge and skills.

Below you can find more useful advices to get a construction job.
https://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/construction-and-building-services/290305-advice-on-getting-a-graduate-job-by-a-graduate-construction-manager
https://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/construction-and-building-services/316711-essential-research-for-construction-job-candidates