Ho Chi Minh City is recognized as one of the most dynamic economic centers in Vietnam, where industrial and commercial projects are constantly being developed to meet the rapid pace of market growth. Alongside this, the demand for factory design construction continues to rise not only in the urban areas but also in surrounding provinces like Binh Duong, Long An, and Dong Nai. However, among hundreds of service providers, one critical question arises: how can businesses choose a reliable factory design company in Ho Chi Minh City that meets technical and legal standards while ensuring investment efficiency?
A design is not merely a set of technical drawings. It serves as the foundation for the entire construction process, operation, expansion, and long-term development of the business. Choosing the right factory design company from the start helps investors avoid legal risks, limit cost overruns, and ensure smooth, sustainable operations over time.
In this article, BIC will guide you through key criteria to evaluate a trusted factory design firm, and introduce a list of reputable companies in Ho Chi Minh City that have proven their capability through numerous real-world projects.
Before selecting a partner for your factory project, businesses should clearly define essential evaluation criteria. A trustworthy design company must not only possess strong technical capabilities but also demonstrate practical experience, solution-oriented thinking, and the ability to provide comprehensive supportfrom design to legal procedures. Below are four key criteria for assessing the capabilities of a professional factory design firm:
A reputable design company must showcase its competence through successfully implemented real-world projects, especially within major industrial parks such as VSIP, Long Hau, Hiep Phuoc, and Dong Nam IP. Each type of factory whether for food, logistics, electronics, pharmaceuticals, or precision engineering has its own unique requirements in terms of design, materials, functional layout, and technical standards.
Diverse experience indicates a deep understanding of various production sectors and reflects the company’s adaptability to meet specific client needs.
One of the core factors determining the quality of a design service is the completeness and compliance of the technical documentation provided. A professional design company must deliver full sets of documents, including:
- Architectural drawings: layout, elevations, and sections
- Structural design: foundations, frames, floors, roofs, etc.
- MEP systems: lighting, water supply and drainage, ventilation, air conditioning
- Fire protection system (FIRE-FIGHTING & PREVENTION)
- Renewable energy systems (if applicable), especially rooftop solar power
The documents must also incorporate the latest standards and regulations, such as QCVN 06:2022/BXD for fire safety, ISO 9001, and GMP for food or pharmaceutical factories. Any omissions may result in permit rejections or issues during inspection and operation.
A good factory design is not just visually appealing—it must also be functionally sound and cost-efficient in terms of construction and long-term operation. This is the key difference between a typical technical drawing and a practical, problem-solving design.
A reliable design firm will demonstrate a solution-oriented mindset by:
- Proposing alternative materials to reduce costs without compromising quality
- Optimizing structural systems to reduce construction time while maintaining safety
- Advising on logical layouts for production lines, operation zones, storage, and technical areas, with future scalability in mind
This approach reflects a deep understanding of the client’s industry, rather than reusing generic templates.
A high-quality design is the result of close collaboration across multiple disciplines—architecture, structure, MEP, fire safety, energy, etc. Therefore, the engineering team must have in-depth expertise, hands-on experience, and valid professional licenses.
Beyond design, a trusted company should also support investors with essential legal procedures, including:
- Obtaining construction permits in industrial zones or local authorities
- Fire safety approvals
- Environmental impact assessments or environmental protection plans
- Utility connections and project commencement procedures
Understanding local regulations and accompanying investors throughout the preparation process helps shorten timelines and reduce unexpected risks.
Based on the above criteria, here are some trusted factory design companies in Ho Chi Minh City with proven capabilities and strong client trust from both local and international investors:
BIC is a leading firm in the field of industrial factory design and construction in southern Vietnam. With a focus on engineering-based solutions, BIC not only delivers complete design documentation but also supports investors from legal processes to project handover.
Key strengths:
- Flexible, cost-effective designs that meet both functionality and technical standards
- Extensive experience in major IPs such as VSIP, Long Hau, Dau Giay, Hiep Phuoc, Nhon Trach
- Trusted by FDI investors from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan
- Deep understanding of legal processes, assisting with permits, fire safety, and environmental approvals
As one of Vietnam’s largest general contractors, Coteccons boasts a strong engineering team and a robust quality control system. In addition to its EPC role, Coteccons also offers technical design for large-scale industrial projects.
Advantages:
- Experience with major global clients: Samsung, Nestlé, VinFast
- Designs that meet international standards, optimized for high-tech, food, cosmetics, and electronics factories
TVP Steel specializes in steel frame factory construction, providing a complete package of design, production, and installation services.
Strengths:
- Operates a large steel structure manufacturing plant in Long An
- In-house design, production, and construction save time and cost
- Ideal for standard factories with moderate technical complexity
Delta is a top construction group in Vietnam, with experience in designing and building large-scale factories and plants nationwide.
Strengths:
- International-standard quality management system
- Expertise in building electronics, food, and pharmaceutical factories
- High-caliber engineering and architectural team meeting strict technical requirements
UNICON is part of Kusto Group (Singapore), operating in the industrial design and construction sector with several large-scale projects in Vietnam.
Advantages:
- Strong technical design capability, especially for material plants and heavy industrial production
- Excellent project timeline management
- Financially strong, ideal for long-term partnership
Choosing an inexperienced or irresponsible design firm can severely impact project quality, legal compliance, and operational efficiency. Common risks include:
One of the most critical but common issues is missing essential design components. This can lead to:
- Permit application rejections due to missing MEP or fire safety drawings
- Lack of structural detail causing inaccurate construction, costly changes, and delays
Incomplete documentation can stall the project and jeopardize quality control from the outset.
Each production sector has unique requirements in terms of technology, equipment layout, hygiene, safety, and operation. Without proper understanding, designs may become a hindrance:
- Poor alignment with machinery → inefficient space use, lower productivity
- Missing technical, maintenance, or storage areas → inconvenience, increased retrofit costs
Effective design stems from deep industry knowledge. Choose firms with experience in your specific field.
Many firms reuse old drawings without proper site surveys or customization. While faster initially, this approach leads to issues during construction and operation:
- Ignoring site-specific conditions (climate, drainage, sun orientation) → hot, poorly ventilated, or waterlogged buildings
- Not aligned with current standards → rejected by authorities, requiring time-consuming revisions
Pro Tip: Don’t choose a design firm based solely on low prices. A generic design could cost you millions in unforeseen expenses and months of delays.
Selecting the right design firm is a strategic decision that affects the entire factory lifecycle. To make the right choice and avoid costly mistakes, follow these three steps:
Don’t just rely on a company profile or 3D renders. Ask to review complete design packages, especially those similar to your industry.
- Check if drawings cover architecture, structure, MEP, and fire safety
- Evaluate layout logic, production flow, internal traffic
- Assess if materials and systems are cost-effective and practical
This is the fastest way to verify the firm’s real capabilities.
Often, businesses only speak with sales reps or consultants. But the lead engineer is the one crafting your solution.
- Request a meeting with the actual project engineer
- Ask specific questions about your industry, standards, and solutions
Their responses will show whether they truly understand your needs or are just using templates.
A reputable firm will always conduct a site survey before providing an official quote. This shows professionalism and accountability.
- Surveying helps assess topography, sun orientation, wind direction, and existing infrastructure
- It allows for functional layout planning based on real conditions
- Avoid accepting remote quotes without surveys—they often lead to hidden costs
A professional firm starts from real-world conditions, not just "pretty drawings on paper."
Factory design is more than just drafting a set of drawings. It combines engineering thinking, optimized solutions, and deep understanding of each industry's production specifics. In Ho Chi Minh City home to numerous industrial parks and local/foreign investment projects choosing the right factory design firm helps businesses save costs, meet timelines, ensure quality, and facilitate future expansion.
Don’t judge a design company solely by their quote. Look at their real capabilities, engineering team, industry understanding, and whether they provide end-to-end support from design and permitting to construction and project handover. A high-quality design is a long-term investment, not a cost to cut.
Looking for a trusted, professional factory design partner in Ho Chi Minh City? Let BIC accompany you from the very first step—with a solution-oriented mindset, comprehensive documentation, clear legal guidance, and an engineering team deeply familiar with real-world manufacturing.
