When Construction is No Longer "Labeled" for Men

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For a long time, Construction has been perceived as a field exclusively for men - a place of rough concrete, cold steel, and sun-drenched faces covered in site dust. However, in this new era, across the industry and specifically at Hoa Binh Construction Group, we do not "label" our personnel by gender, but by their competence and dedication.

Breaking the Shell: Are Women Changing, or is the Industry Evolving?

Historically, women in construction have faced invisible barriers: skepticism regarding physical strength, prejudices about "keeping the family fire burning," or simply pitying glances toward the "fairer sex" working on harsh, windy sites.

Globally, according to Statista and international labor organizations, the female workforce in construction stands at approximately 10 - 15% in developed nations like the US and Europe. In Vietnam, this figure fluctuates between 8 - 12%, mostly concentrated in specialized blocks like Finance, HR, Design, and Bidding. Female engineers working directly on-site account for less than 3%.

Yet, modern women refuse to be confined by old limits. They are choosing to "break the shell," ready to prove they are fully capable of entering fields once thought to be for men only. Equipped with sharp knowledge and admirable resilience, they bring a characteristic dedication and "softness" - a precious "vitality" that smooths the roughness and creates balance in a harsh environment.

Ms. Pham Thi Truc Phuong, HR Director of Hoa Binh Construction Group, notes: "At Hoa Binh, women currently make up over 20% of our total workforce. In departments requiring high meticulousness, such as the Contracts Department, the female ratio is 100%. Furthermore, we do not evaluate promotions based on gender. Our 12% female management rate is proof that women’s leadership fully meets the industry's rigorous standards."

Beyond the Desk: "Roses" Braving the Wind and Sun

While the national average for women on-site is under 3%, at Hoa Binh, female faces on the front lines are not a rare sight. They stand side-by-side with their male colleagues for months and years.

At Hoa Binh, professionalism erases the gender gap. These "roses" on-site do not seek favoritism; they receive fairness - from recruitment and task assignment to benefits and practical care for those stationed far from home.

Mr. Le Van Sinh, Project Director, shared: "In my project, all evaluations are fair. During the year-end awards, there was no hesitation when the Steering Committee chose two female staff members as 'Outstanding Employees of 2025.' This title recognizes the 'steel spirit' hidden behind their gentle appearance."

The bond formed through shared hardships has turned the staff into a true family. Female staff often use their intuition to bring "spiritual medicine" to the site - growing vegetables, raising chickens, or decorating with peach blossoms during Tet to ease homesickness. This care helps Hoa Binh engineers turn deadline pressure into the joy of sharing.

Gender Equality: More Than Just a Number

If we only look at ratios, we only see the tip of the iceberg. True gender equality must start within the community and from women themselves.

The HR Director emphasized, "At Hoa Binh, we build an environment where equality is implemented throughout. Every individual, regardless of gender, has equal access to opportunities, resources, and development. They receive equal pay for equal work."

The biggest change starts with a shift in mindset. Once a woman confidently declares, "I can do it," she not only transcends her own limits but also unties the knot of prejudice that "construction is only for the strong."

Diversity as a Long-term Strategy

Gender diversity is not a "box-ticking" exercise to make a portfolio look good. It is a core pillar of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) strategies at Hoa Binh.

Hoa Binh believes diversity is the key to a strong collective. The Group is currently developing training roadmaps specifically for female personnel to empower them to grow into management positions.

When construction is no longer "labeled" for men, a new chapter of creativity begins. With inherent grace, women are skillfully "softening" the roughness of concrete and steel while using their resilience to conquer new heights.