Modular construction for sustainable social housing in Vietnam: Insights from a multistakeholder perspective

Abstract

Modular construction (MC) is increasingly recognised as a viable solution to the growing need for affordable, sustainable social housing, especially in rapidly urbanising countries like Vietnam. Despite its potential benefits in terms of construction speed, waste reduction, and quality control, the uptake of MC in Vietnam remains limited. This study identifies and evaluates 22 barriers and 12 drivers of MC adoption in the Vietnamese social housing sector, drawing on survey data from 256 construction professionals representing five key stakeholder groups: clients, contractors, consultants, policymakers, and academics. Statistical analyses, including reliability testing, mean score ranking, and ANOVA, reveal significant divergence in stakeholder perceptions. The results indicate that the most critical barriers, including the lack of experience among suppliers and designers, inflexible design processes, and high upfront investment costs. In addition, key drivers identified, including early design finalisation, dimensional standardisation, pilot projects, and international knowledge transfer. Based on the findings, the study proposes tailored policy implications for key stakeholders. Policymakers should mandate BIM for MC projects, offer financial incentives, and establish R&D centres to foster innovation. Contractors and consultants are encouraged to adopt BIM comprehensively and engage in pilot MC projects to strengthen technical capacity. Clients and developers would benefit from access to benchmarking data and international partnerships to reduce perceived risks. Educational and research institutions should introduce targeted training and innovation hubs to bridge skill gaps. These recommendations offer a practical roadmap for advancing MC in sustainable social housing development in Vietnam and similar contexts.