1. OVERVIEW OF BIM.  

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process involving the generation and management of digital representations (referred to as digital information models) characterizing physical and functional characteristics of places across design, procurement, construction, and facility operations (applicable to civil construction projects as well as complex industrial plants). In essence, BIM can be considered an integrated design dossier consisting of digital files or data containing spatial relationships, geometric dimensions, quantity takeoffs, and material specifications for every building component. This data is exchanged and interconnected online via specialized software, empowering project management and informed decision-making. Combining component parameters with cost databases, unit pricing, and project scheduling generates a comprehensive virtual reality model to optimize engineering design, construction scheduling, and facility management.

BIM-authoring software is utilized by engineers, architects, engineering enterprises, and government authorities to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain diverse building and infrastructure projects, including industrial water supply and drainage systems, wastewater treatment plants, power grids, gas distribution pipelines, telecommunication networks, transit systems, bridges, seaports, residential developments, schools, commercial facilities, offices, and industrial plant structures. Widely adopted BIM solutions include Autodesk Revit Architecture, Structure & MEP, Tekla Structures, and Bentley Systems.

BIM is recognized globally by construction engineering industries as the prevailing and dominant digital technology for decades to come, capable of resolving chronic industry challenges including material waste, low labor productivity, and operational inefficiencies. BIM extends far beyond basic 3D rendering and artistic visualization. Acting as a unified lifecycle repository, BIM embeds parametric geometry, spatial coordinates, material properties, and component relationships. Coupled with construction sequencing (4D BIM), cost estimation (5D BIM), and facility asset management (6D/7D BIM), it introduces revolutionary efficiencies in generating, conveying, and utilizing facility intelligence across engineering design, construction, commissioning, and lifecycle maintenance.

Proven across years of global adoption, BIM serves as an efficient collaborative instrument for information sharing among plant owners, architects, consulting engineers, equipment vendors, and construction contractors. Managing and coordinating facility data through BIM enhances interdisciplinary collaboration, facilitating optimal design solutions and constructability reviews early during conceptual and detailed engineering phases. Implementing BIM with integrated project delivery (IPD) contracts eliminates operational barriers hindering transparent collaboration between project owners, engineering consultancies, general contractors, and specialized subcontractors.

2. BIM ADOPTION ROADMAP IN VIETNAM

On March 17, 2023, the Prime Minister promulgated Decision No. 258/QD-TTg approving the roadmap for mandatory Building Information Modeling (BIM) adoption in construction activities, specifying:

1. a) Phase 1: From 2023, mandatory BIM adoption applies to Grade I and Special Grade construction works under new investment projects utilizing public investment capital, non-public state capital, and public-private partnerships (PPP) commencing project preparation.
2. b) Phase 2: From 2025, mandatory BIM adoption applies to Grade II and higher construction works under new investment projects utilizing public investment capital, non-public state capital, and PPP methods commencing project preparation.

For construction projects subject to mandatory BIM application, BIM data models constitute an official mandatory component within design dossiers and as-built completion archives. Project owners or project preparation units must submit BIM digital models alongside standard regulatory dossiers when undergoing feasibility study appraisals, front-end engineering design (FEED) / detailed engineering design appraisals following basic design, building permit applications, and formal commissioning inspections.

For projects funded by private commercial capital, owners submit BIM models during feasibility study appraisal, detailed engineering review, permit applications, and commissioning inspections according to the following schedule: Grade I and Special Grade projects from 2024; expanding to Grade II projects from 2026.

The scope of implementation and Level of Development (LOD) within the BIM model is determined by the project investor.

From 2023 onwards, for projects applying BIM, state regulatory authorities utilize BIM models to support the appraisal of feasibility studies, construction design verification after basic design, building permits, and project commissioning acceptance audits.

Investors of projects implementing BIM pursuant to the roadmap are responsible for maintaining and updating BIM digital twins to support operational management, facility maintenance, and asset lifecycle management. Enterprises are strongly encouraged to adopt BIM in advance of the statutory deadlines.

3. WHAT ENTERPRISES MUST PREPARE WHEN ADOPTING BIM

Adopting BIM pursuant to Decision No. 258/QD-TTg represents a pivotal milestone enabling design engineering and project management consultancies to boost operational productivity, optimize delivery workflows, and elevate project quality. To successfully implement BIM, engineering consultancies must prepare four core pillars:

3.1. Upgrading IT Infrastructure: Prior to BIM deployment, enterprises must audit and upgrade computing workstations, high-performance GPUs, server clusters, and network storage capable of handling complex multi-discipline BIM datasets. Corporate IT networks must deliver high bandwidth and throughput to support real-time multidisciplinary data synchronization.

3.2. BIM Workforce Training: Successful BIM deployment hinges on engineers' proficiency with specialized BIM design platforms. Enterprises must execute comprehensive training programs on core authoring software, multidisciplinary coordination, and model auditing.

3.3. Establishing a BIM-Compatible Working Environment: The enterprise operating environment must foster collaborative digital design. Standardized software toolkits, templates, family libraries, and shared coordinate systems must be deployed across all engineering disciplines.

3.4. Formulating BIM Execution Plans (BEP) and Standard Operating Procedures: Engineering consultancies must institute detailed BIM protocols, standardizing model authoring, clash detection, revision control, Common Data Environment (CDE) management, and interdisciplinary data exchange protocols.

4. ROLE AND BENEFITS OF BIM FOR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN CONSULTANCIES

4.1. Core Role: Rectifying engineering clashes during on-site construction is extraordinarily costly. The collaborative nature of BIM enables multidisciplinary design teams to coordinate detailed engineering models in real-time, drastically mitigating errors and eliminating piping, structural, and electrical clashes. Through BIM collaboration, design consultancies deliver comprehensive, conflict-free, and legible engineering documentation.

4.2. Concrete Benefits of BIM for Engineering Consultancies:

- 3D visual simulation facilitates intuitive technical presentations, design reviews, and value engineering evaluations;

- BIM adoption boosts design productivity, elevates engineering precision, streamlines revisions, and minimizes design flaws: Simultaneous interdisciplinary coordination across structural, mechanical, piping, and electrical disciplines provides real-time visibility. When modifications occur in one engineering discipline, parametric linkages immediately propagate updates across linked models, slashing design turnaround times;

- Automated quantity takeoff (QTO) and highly accurate cost estimation: Leveraging 3D parametric components integrated with specialized cost estimation software automates material takeoff. Linked to updated pricing databases, bills of quantities (BOQ) and construction cost estimates are generated rapidly and reliably, providing vital decision support during FEED and conceptual design stages;

- Facilitating computational energy modeling and green building compliance: Integrated parametric data enables design engineers to evaluate facility energy performance using tools like eQUEST, complying with green building certification frameworks such as LEED or LOTUS to deliver sustainable, eco-efficient engineering designs;

- Accelerating team-based multidisciplinary workflows and modern engineering management practices aligned with international standards;

- Cloud-based Common Data Environments (CDE) facilitate seamless multi-office and remote collaborative engineering, model transmission, and secure asset archiving.

Below are photographs from several technical seminars on BIM implementation organized by VECAS in which CECO participated.

CECO Market Management Department