05 things you should know about the architectural plan test in Vietnam

05 things you should know about the architectural plan test in Vietnam (Internet image)

1. What is architectural plan test?

According to Clause 1, Article 17 of the Law on Architecture 2019, architectural plan test refers to a test designed to select the best architectural plan that meets requirements concerning planning, architecture, culture, socio-economic efficiency, national defence, security and environmental protection.

2. Forms of architectural plan tests in Vietnam

Specifically, in Article 16 of Decree 85/2020/ND-CP, forms of architectural plan tests:

- An open test, which is held without any limitation on the number of domestic and foreign (where necessary) organizations and individuals participating in the contest.

- A restricted test, which is held if there are several participants (but not less than 3) that are able to satisfy the technical requirements or typical characteristics of the structure for which the architectural plan is in the contest.

3. Construction projects subject to compulsory participation in the architectural plan test in Vietnam

The following construction projects shall be subject to the compulsory requirement for participation in the architectural plan test, including:

- Special-class or class-I public construction works;

- Provincial-level central train terminals and civil aviation terminals;

- Bridges inside class-II or higher-level urban areas and inner-city railway stations;

- Statues and construction projects symbolic of tradition, culture and history at localities;

- Important construction projects and landmarks located inside urban areas and along main streets that are specified in urban planning and design schemes and regulations on management of architecture approved by competent authorities.

(Clause 2, Article 17 of the Law on Architecture 2019)

4. Requirements for holding a test in Vietnam

The organization of the competition for selection of architectural plans must ensure the requirements specified in Article 17 of Decree 85/2020/ND-CP, specifically as follows:

- There is a design task in conformity with the construction planning, urban planning, urban design and regulations on management of architecture approved and promulgated by the competent authority.

- A contest council is established.

- The investment decision maker, investor, agency or organization assigned to hold a contest (hereinafter referred to as "the organizer") establishes a technical team to assist the contest council.

- Within 30 days, information about the contest and contest council and contest results shall be published on one or more mass media or web portals or websites of the central or local architecture agency in the area where the contest is held.

5. Regulation on holding a test for architectural plans in Vietnam

Regulation on holding a test for architectural plans specified in Clause 3, Article 18 of Decree 85/2020/ND-CP, specifically as follows:

- Form, scale, nature, purposes and requirement of the contest;

- Regulations on conditions for competing in the contest; criteria, contents and sequence of holding the contest; time and place of the contest; application for the contest and validity of such application;

- Composition of the contest council and basic information about expertise and experience of the council's members;

- Costs of holding the contest and bases for calculating costs of design of works;

- Structure and value of prize (if any);

- Rights and responsibilities of relevant parties, and copyright;

- Contest entry forms;

- Other issues required by each contest: type of the contest (contest for architectural ideas or for an architectural plan); regulations on contest rounds; actions taken if no optimal plan is found at the end of a contest round; rules for calculating the design costs of the project.

Thanh Rin

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