The prime minister recently issued a directive assigning the Ministry of Construction to research, amend, and supplement national technical standards. These standards will specify the design and installation location of electric vehicle charging stations for convenient use and emergency response.

For existing apartment buildings, the Ministry of Construction will coordinate with relevant units to resolve procedural issues for renovation and licensing of charging station installation. Simultaneously, it will complete urban planning standards to integrate green transportation infrastructure, including charging stations and battery swap stations.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible for developing national technical standards for the safety and energy efficiency of charging equipment, charging stations, and power supply systems.

Vietnam Electricity will adjust load and promote electricity demand management to support charging station installation in urban areas and apartment buildings. It will also simplify connection procedures and install separate meters for transparent billing.

Local authorities are required to review planning and arrange electric charging infrastructure in urban areas. Developers and apartment building management boards will coordinate with infrastructure providers to arrange appropriate installation locations and guide residents on safe usage.

Electric vehicle parking area at HH Linh Dam apartment building, Hanoi, 12/2025. Photo: Pham Chieu.

This directive comes as electric vehicle charging infrastructure in urban areas and apartment buildings remains inadequate and unsynchronized. Meanwhile, rapidly increasing demand exerts pressure on the power system and poses potential fire and explosion risks.

The Housing Law 2023 stipulates that parking areas in apartment buildings must accommodate both gasoline and electric vehicles, and the arrangement of charging spots must comply with technical standards. However, due to a lack of specific guidance, many apartment buildings have established their own rules, some even refusing to store electric vehicles in their basements, leading to inconsistent management practices and disputes between management and residents.

Vu Tuan