The Green Square shopping centre - Big C Di An has won first prize at the seventh Energy-Efficient Buildings contest organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and HCM City Energy Conservation Centre. - Photo e4g.org

HCM CITY (VNS) — The Green Square shopping centre - Big C Di An, the first commercial building in Viet Nam to use green technology, has won first prize at the seventh Energy-Efficient Buildings contest organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and HCM City Energy Conservation Centre.

Located in the southern province of Binh Duong, the Green Square shopping centre - Big C Di An uses technology that helps save 20 per cent of energy consumption compared to a conventional shopping centre.

It was the first project in Viet Nam to be granted the LEED Gold 2013 awarded by the US Green Building Council for implementing green building technologies. It also achieved the LOTUS Silver certificate from the Viet Nam Green Building Council.

Launched in 2006, the contest has so far attracted more than 400 participating buildings in 25 provinces and cities. — VNS