KEY CHANGES IN THE 2025 CONSTRUCTION LAW (PART 1)

Construction Law No. 135/2025/QH15 generally takes effect on July 1, 2026, with certain provisions applying from January 1, 2026. The Law introduces changes aimed at simplifying certain procedures, increasing the responsibilities of parties involved in construction activities, and promoting digital transformation in construction management.

1. Changes to Construction Design Appraisal

The 2025 Construction Law changes the appraisal mechanism for construction designs developed after project approval, reducing appraisal procedures conducted by specialized construction authorities and increasing the project owner’s responsibility for organizing design control.

Under the new provisions, the state construction management authority exercises control once for each project or construction work; appraisal of construction designs developed after project approval is carried out by the project owner. This provides greater autonomy during project implementation.

Relevant provisions are set out in the Law’s construction design and transitional provisions.

2. Expanded Exemptions from Construction Permits

Article 43 of the 2025 Construction Law expands the cases exempt from construction permits and specifies the conditions applicable to each case in greater detail.

Exemption from a construction permit does not mean that a construction work is exempt from other construction management requirements. Project owners must still determine whether the relevant conditions apply before proceeding.

Details of the exemptions and applicable conditions are provided in Article 43 of the 2025 Construction Law.

3. Additional Conditions for Certain Detached Houses

For certain Class IV buildings and detached houses eligible for construction permit exemptions, Point g, Clause 2, Article 43 adds conditions concerning project scale and construction floor area. These conditions should be considered when determining whether a construction work qualifies for an exemption. Clauses 2 and 3 of Article 43 are among the provisions applicable from January 01, 2026.

Conclusion

Changes concerning design appraisal and construction permit exemptions should be assessed against the specific conditions applicable to each project or construction work.