According to Mr. Tran Dai Thang (HCMC), in the basic construction norms attached to Circular No. 12/2021/TT-BXD dated August 31, 2021, there is a norm code AC.23200 - removing Larsen piles with a 170 kW vibrating hammer. In fact, during the construction process, the 170 kW hammer has a very large capacity and is difficult to find on the market, so the bidding process if this hammer must be used will be very difficult, only a few companies have this equipment.

Mr. Thang asked, is it possible to propose replacing it with another hammer? The DUL SW1000 Concrete pile driving estimate also only uses a 50 kW vibrating hammer, so can the 170 kW equipment be replaced?

The Ministry of Construction responded to this issue as follows:

The establishment and management of construction investment costs are carried out in accordance with the provisions of law on management of construction investment costs applicable to projects.

Accordingly, the application and reference of the estimated norms in the construction norm system announced and issued by competent state agencies to determine the construction estimate shall comply with the regulations on management of construction investment costs applicable to projects; at the same time, ensuring consistency with the effective time, the transitional regulations of the construction norm system are announced and issued.

On May 30, 2025, the Ministry of Construction issued Circular No. 08/2025/TT-BXD on amending and supplementing a number of construction norms in Circular No. 12/2021/TT-BXD dated August 31, 2021 of the Minister of Construction on promulgating construction norms. In particular, it is stipulated to remove the estimated standard for Larsen pile removal using a 170 kW vibrating hammer (code AC.23200) and replace it with the estimated standard for Larsen pile removal using a 60 kW vibrating hammer (code AC.23400) in the construction standard system issued by the Ministry of Construction.

In cases where the construction estimate standard has been issued by a competent state agency but is not suitable for the technical requirements, construction conditions, and construction methods of the project, the investor and the consulting unit preparing the estimate shall comply with the provisions of Clause 4, Article 21 of Decree No. 10/2021/ND-CP dated February 9, 2021 of the Government.

The method of determining and adjusting the estimated norms is implemented according to the instructions in Appendix III of Circular No. 13/2021/TT-BXD dated August 31, 2021, amended and supplemented in Appendix III of Circular No. 01/2025/TT-BXD dated January 22, 2025 of the Minister of Construction.

The participation of agencies, organizations and individuals in bidding activities is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law on bidding and other relevant legal provisions.