Insights

Fit-out knowledge & construction costs

Straight answers to the questions you face when preparing a fit-out project in Vietnam — materials, styles, space design, process and cost. Written by the AIC team.

Featured guide

Fit-out cost per m² — 2026 reference guide

Real investment ranges for FDI offices, residential, retail and factories in Vietnam — with an honest breakdown of what sits inside the rate and what is priced separately.

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Space Design

How to design each type of space — office, apartment, store, F&B, showroom: functional layout and practical setup principles.

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04 Jul 2026 · 7 min read · Retail

Showroom and store fit-out: 5 decisive design factors

A guide to showroom, store and retail-chain fit-out: facade, traffic flow, display lighting, the cashier counter and rolling out a chain in time for opening.

Space Design

04 Jul 2026 · 8 min read · FDI Office

Office design standards: area, ceiling, lighting, HVAC

Office design standards from Vietnamese TCVN and ISO: area per person, minimum ceiling height, lighting in lux, ventilation, temperature and noise references.

Space Design

03 Jul 2026 · 6 min read · FDI Office

7 essential office zones every workplace needs in 2026

The essential zones of a modern office: reception, work area, meeting rooms, phone booths, pantry and breakout space, with reference area ratios to plan.

Space Design

Materials & Technique

Material and finishing know-how: engineered wood, stone, tile, laminate, ceilings, lighting, waterproofing — choosing right for durability and budget.

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03 Jul 2026 · 8 min read · General

Engineered wood for interiors: MFC, MDF, HDF, plywood

The engineered wood boards most used in interiors: MFC, MDF, HDF, plywood and WPC, plus melamine, laminate, veneer and acrylic finishes, and how to choose.

Materials & Technique

03 Nov 2025 · 6 min read · Residential

Light and materials: the duo that shapes a space's mood

Light and materials together define how a home feels: choosing colour temperature (2700–4000K), pairing wood, stone and glass, and combining both so interiors connect emotionally.

Materials & Technique

05 Aug 2025 · 6 min read · Residential

5 common mistakes when choosing building materials

Five building material mistakes that inflate costs and shorten a project's lifespan: chasing low prices, skipping technical specs, wrong material for the job — with practical fixes.

Materials & Technique

Styles & Trends

Interior styles and design trends: minimalist, Japandi, Scandinavian, Indochine, industrial, neoclassical — traits and how to recognise them.

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04 Jul 2026 · 6 min read · FDI Office

Office design trends 2026: 6 shifts worth watching

Office design trends 2026: flexible offices, nature indoors, neutral palettes, brand identity and sustainable design, plus how to make them real on site.

Styles & Trends

03 Jul 2026 · 6 min read · General

What is contemporary style? Contemporary vs modern

What contemporary style is and how it differs from modern: origins, colours, lines and materials compared, plus what 2026 contemporary looks like.

Styles & Trends

28 Oct 2024 · 6 min read · General

Top 10 café plants: beautiful and good feng shui

10 café decor plants that look good, purify the air and carry good feng shui — ZZ plant, pothos, snake plant, peace lily, fiddle-leaf fig — plus placement tips.

Styles & Trends

Process & Cost

How a fit-out project runs: design–build workflow, permits, PCCC (fire-safety) acceptance, Design & Build vs separate tendering, timeline and cost.

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08 Jul 2026 · 8 min read · FDI Office

Renovating an old office: process, cost, after-hours work

Renovating an old office while it operates: a 6-step process, fit-out cost of VND 4–12 million/m², after-hours work, and dust and noise control for staff.

Process & Cost

08 Jul 2026 · 7 min read · FDI Office

Office reinstatement (making good): checklist and cost

The reinstatement obligation at lease end: the clause in Vietnamese office leases, a making-good checklist, reference costs and how to protect your deposit.

Process & Cost

08 Jul 2026 · 8 min read · FDI Office

Upgrading an office from Grade B to Grade A: full scope

Upgrading a Grade B office toward Grade A: the real differences, the MEP, HVAC, PCCC and finishes scope, the building's limits, and reference costs.

Process & Cost

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