The Nexus: Pioneering WELL Certification in Vietnam's Commercial Real Estate

In a groundbreaking move for Vietnam's real estate sector, The Nexus has emerged as the country's first newly constructed building to achieve WELL certification, setting a new standard for healthy and sustainable workplaces. Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, this ambitious project exemplifies a commitment to occupant well-being, environmental stewardship, and ESG alignment.

Ho Chi Minh City's The Nexus raises the bar for healthy workplaces, combining WELL, LEED, and EDGE certifications to lead Vietnam's green building movement

While The Nexus had already achieved LEED and EDGE certifications, the stakeholders from The Nexus aimed higher: to become Vietnam's first newly constructed building with WELL certification. This ambitious goal sought to revolutionise occupant well-being in the country's commercial real estate sector.

However, this groundbreaking initiative presented formidable obstacles. As pioneers in pursuing WELL certification for a new building in Vietnam, the team lacked local precedents to follow. They faced resource constraints and limited expertise in advanced wellness standards. Moreover, implementing WELL features while maintaining existing green certifications required a delicate balance.

To overcome these challenges and set a new benchmark for healthy workplaces in Vietnam, The Nexus needed expert guidance to navigate the complexities of WELL certification and ensure the building met the highest standards of occupant health and comfort.

JLL partnered with The Nexus stakeholders to provide tailored consultancy, leveraging their established relationship and expertise. The team developed a comprehensive, customised approach to address The Nexus's unique challenges:

• Holistic Assessment: JLL conducted an in-depth evaluation of The Nexus's existing features, identifying key areas for improvement in occupant wellbeing. This assessment covered air quality, lighting, acoustics, and active design principles.

• Global Expertise: Combining local Vietnamese knowledge with global insights, JLL adapted international standards to Vietnam's context. This approach ensured effective implementation of WELL standards while respecting local conditions.

• Strategic Market Positioning: JLL highlighted how wellness-focused design enhances property appeal, helping position The Nexus as a leader in Vietnam's wellness-oriented real estate market.

• ESG-Aligned Leasing Strategy: Emphasising the growing demand for sustainable spaces, JLL showcased the financial benefits of green certifications. With 85% of new leases by footprint in green-certified buildings, this strategy positioned The Nexus for premium leasing opportunities.

• Stakeholder Education: JLL worked closely with The Nexus stakeholders to communicate the benefits of wellness-focused environments, reinforcing The Nexus's pioneering status in Vietnam's commercial landscape.
   

Tien Duong, Senior Sustainability Lead at JLL Vietnam, commented: "Our focus was on creating a health-oriented environment that not only benefits occupants but also raises standards in Vietnam's commercial real estate sector."

The Nexus achieved WELL Silver certification by incorporating several health-prioritising features:

• Superior air quality with advanced filtration
• Safe, high-quality drinking water
• Optimised lighting utilising natural light
• Advanced thermal comfort systems
• Effective noise control for enhanced productivity
• Use of safe, low-VOC materials
• Biophilic design elements for mental wellbeing
• Comprehensive emergency preparedness
   

This solution-focused approach not only secured WELL Silver certification for The Nexus but also set a new benchmark for healthy, sustainable workplaces in Vietnam.

WELL certification offers significant advantages that extend beyond environmental considerations. It enhances occupant well-being and workplace satisfaction, leading to improved productivity and employee retention. Additionally, WELL-certified buildings are seen as more attractive in the real estate market, providing long-term financial benefits for owners and investors. In today’s competitive job market, these spaces position themselves as preferred locations for top talent, making WELL certification a strategic investment in both property value and human capital.

Moreover, WELL certification directly aligns with global ESG frameworks like UN SDGs. By integrating WELL standards, building owners and investors can address key aspects of ESG, from promoting social equity and inclusion through enhanced occupant well-being to reducing environmental impact with sustainable building practices. This alignment strengthens ESG/CSR reporting, enabling building owners and investors to demonstrate measurable progress toward sustainability goals while creating spaces that foster health, productivity, and inclusivity.

"JLL's guidance throughout this process has been invaluable," says Mr. Ha Nguyen Son, Project Managerfrom The Nexus. "Their expertise has positioned The Nexus at the forefront of wellness-focused development in Vietnam, setting a new standard for healthy workplaces in our market."

The successful WELL certification of The Nexus marks a turning point for Vietnam's real estate sector. As JLL and The Nexus stakeholders look to apply these learnings to future projects, they're not just advancing ESG goals—they're catalysing a transformation towards healthier, more sustainable buildings across the country. This pioneering effort sets the stage for a new era of wellness-focused real estate development in Vietnam.

Tien Duong, Senior Sustainability Lead, JLL Vietnam, says: "This project demonstrates our commitment to shaping the future of real estate. By blending our global expertise with local insights, we're not just guiding clients through certifications—we're focused on creating spaces that genuinely enhance people's lives. Our role extends far beyond certifications; we contribute to broader successes through our diverse commercial real estate services. From capital markets and leasing to property management and project development, JLL’s comprehensive approach ensures we deliver value across the entire real estate lifecycle. Moving forward, we aim to inspire broader adoption of wellness principles in Vietnam’s real estate sector, fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability for generations to come."