THE 40-YEAR JOURNEY OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT,

TOWARDS THE ASPIRATION TO REACH FARTHER

VU THANH QUANG

Director of Transport Engineering Construction Consultancy
Joint Stock Company No.1 (TECCO1)

Transport Engineering Construction Consultancy Joint Stock Company No.1 – TECCO1 has gone through countless difficulties, ups and downs with numerous challenges and trials, yet these very hardships have further tempered and strengthened its position. This journey, filled with both hardship and glory, bears the deep imprint of generations of leaders and employees who are talented, dedicated, and driven by a strong aspiration to build and develop the company into an increasingly powerful organization. Over nearly half a century of construction and development, TECCO1 has always been proud that its surveying, design works and consultancy services have made important contributions to the cause of national construction, development, and protection. One of the key factors behind this success is the company’s consistent leadership in applying science and technology in production and creativity in corporate management and administration.

 

Starting modestly as a small surveying and design enterprise with fewer than 25 personnel and very limited equipment, TECCO1 has continuously strived and overcome countless hardships to successfully complete every assigned task. Following in the footsteps of previous generations, the leadership throughout different periods has always demonstrated strong determination and courage in innovation, modernization, and expansion of operations. From the early projects of upgrading old roads in Northern Vietnam during the initial days of establishment, TECCO1 gradually expanded across all regions of the country and even beyond the borders into neighboring Laos with many large-scale landmark projects such as sections of the Ho Chi Minh Road in Nghe An, the Western branch route in Quang Binh, the expansion of National Highway 1 from Lang Son through provinces along the length of the country to Ca Mau, as well as National Highway projects such as QL13, QL7, and QL78 in Laos and Cambodia. Particularly notable was a major turning point when the company became one of the first units to implement asphalt concrete pavement in Vietnam according to the modern AASHTO standards of the United States in the 1990s.

Constantly innovating technology and investing in modern equipment such as electronic total stations and leading global design software including TOPO, TCN, RM Bridge, and MIDAS, TECCO1 significantly increased labor productivity while elevating product quality, gradually affirming its leading position in the market. During the period from 2008 to 2015, the company continuously ranked among the top 10 enterprises in the transport construction sector as rated by the Ministry of Transport, even reaching the top 5–6 most reputable enterprises in the industry. Its operational scope expanded with many key national projects such as the Hanoi – Hai Phong Expressway, Hanoi – Bac Giang Expressway, and the upgrading and standardization of National Highways 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 15, 37, 30, 61, 63, 91, among others, as well as major bridges of national significance such as Vinh Thinh Bridge and Vam Cong Bridge. TECCO1’s output and revenue grew steadily year after year.

The strong development of TECCO1 during this period clearly reflected the great potential of its leadership and staff who were full of enthusiasm and ambition. However, the journey was not always smooth. Between 2011 and 2013, due to the stagnation of public investment following the Government’s policy of spending reduction after the Resolution of the 11th Party Central Committee’s 4th Plenum, many major projects were delayed or postponed, causing a serious decline in the company’s output and revenue. TECCO1 struggled greatly during this extremely difficult period, with a large workforce and equipment still within depreciation cycles but lacking sufficient work. These challenges were further compounded when the company had previously transitioned to a joint-stock model in 2006, requiring new thinking and modern corporate governance approaches suitable for a market economy.

The change of ownership in 2016 further worsened the situation because the development orientation of the new investors was not aligned with the company’s core foundation in transport infrastructure consultancy. This led to many instabilities in management and personnel. At that time, TECCO1 faced the most severe crisis since its establishment. The workforce dropped sharply from more than 100 employees to only about 50 by 2021. Activities of mass organizations such as the trade union and youth union were almost completely paralyzed. The company’s reputation in the market declined significantly, and its revenue in 2021 dropped to just over VND 20 billion – the lowest level in nearly 40 years of formation and development. The very existence of TECCO1 was seriously threatened without timely and decisive changes.

Fortunately, TECCO1 overcame the most severe crisis in its history through the relentless efforts and strong determination of its leadership and employees, along with the participation of new investors who had experience and credibility in the construction consultancy sector. The year 2022 marked an important turning point when new investors with long-term vision and deep expertise in construction consultancy joined and directly took charge of corporate governance. With decisive leadership, TECCO1 quickly transformed itself and reasserted a new position. Within a short time, the company attracted many experienced engineers with high professional qualifications and Grade-1 professional certifications in transport construction consultancy. The total workforce reached 120 employees, organized into specialized units such as design centers, supervision consultancy units, topographic and geological survey teams, and construction materials laboratories. TECCO1 underwent a comprehensive restructuring of its organization and management system, maximizing resources to focus on its core field of transport infrastructure consultancy.

At the same time, TECCO1 accelerated investment in modern equipment and applied advanced information technology in project management and implementation. In 2023 alone, the company invested billions of VND in drilling equipment, total stations, advanced design software, 3D, 4D, and 5D construction modeling technologies, as well as modern network and server systems. TECCO1 clearly recognized the importance of digital technology and Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the future of construction consultancy, especially for special-grade bridge and road projects, underground works, and high-speed railways. Therefore, BIM development has become one of the company’s strategic priorities with dedicated resources and specialized teams.

Thanks to these comprehensive efforts, TECCO1 has achieved many successes beyond expectations. Over the past five years, the company has participated in more than 100 projects with a total implementation value exceeding VND 500 billion. In 2023 alone, TECCO1’s production output reached nearly VND 180 billion, including several major contracts such as the surveying and construction design consultancy for the Hai Phong Ring Road 2 project worth more than VND 80 billion, and the feasibility study consultancy for the Chau Doc – Can Tho – Soc Trang Expressway project section in An Giang and Hau Giang worth VND 49 billion. The list of major and special-grade projects currently under implementation is truly impressive: Tra Khuc Bridge across the Tra Khuc River in Quang Ngai Province, Hai Thanh Bridge on Ring Road 2 at the gateway to Hai Phong Port; expressway sections such as Can Tho – Ca Mau through Ca Mau Province, Tuyen Quang – Ha Giang, Nha Trang – Van Phong, and Quy Nhon – Chi Thanh. In addition, TECCO1 has also provided supervision consultancy for many other key projects such as Phuoc An Bridge in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Lai Xuan Bridge and Provincial Road 352 in Hai Phong, and the railway overpass on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in Vinh Yen City.

These impressive achievements within a short period reflect the strong potential of TECCO1 for the future. With the right development strategy and a clear orientation to become one of the leading consultancy firms in Vietnam while aiming for regional integration and international expansion, TECCO1 is steadily affirming its position as a major player in Vietnam’s transport infrastructure construction consultancy sector.

Alongside focusing on strengthening its core advantages, TECCO1 places great emphasis on building a professional and modern working environment with employees at the center. The company has invested in building modern facilities with a total area of more than 1,500 m² at its headquarters, including office spaces meeting high standards of space, lighting, ventilation, and occupational safety. Meeting rooms and conference halls are fully equipped with modern audiovisual and presentation systems to support internal meetings as well as partner engagements. The open and energetic workspace fosters creativity and positive motivation among employees.

In particular, TECCO1 pays special attention to employee income and welfare. The company has established a competitive salary scale, reward system, and welfare policies to ensure employee income is at least equal to or higher than that of leading consultancy firms in the industry. In 2023, the average income of employees reached nearly VND 20 million per person per month. In addition, the company provides support policies for employees purchasing houses and cars, periodic health care programs, and annual company trips to famous domestic tourist destinations. Attractive remuneration policies and a professional working environment have helped TECCO1 not only attract high-quality human resources but also retain talented personnel.

At the same time, mass organizations such as the Trade Union and the Youth Union have been consolidated and strengthened. Cultural, sports, and charitable activities are organized regularly, contributing to a vibrant and cohesive corporate culture that connects employees together. The spirit of unity and determination of the TECCO1 collective is clearly reflected through these activities, forming a solid foundation for the company’s sustainable development.

Overall, TECCO1 now possesses all the necessary factors to confidently move forward toward conquering new heights and building a more prosperous and brilliant future. With nearly half a century of tradition, dedicated leadership and talented workforce, modern organizational systems, advanced technology, and strong financial capacity, TECCO1 is fully capable of rising to the top ranks of transport infrastructure construction consultancy firms in Vietnam. Moreover, with the strong aspiration and strategic vision of the current management team, TECCO1 can go even further—expanding into regional and international markets and realizing the global ambitions of Vietnamese consultancy enterprises in the era of international integration.

With a clear strategic vision, TECCO1 has defined specific development goals and scenarios. In the short term, the company focuses on consolidating its position among the leading transport construction consultancy enterprises in Vietnam. At the same time, TECCO1 actively seeks opportunities for cooperation, joint ventures, and partnerships with domestic and international partners to expand into regional and global markets.

To realize these ambitious goals, TECCO1 has developed a comprehensive development strategy with many breakthrough solutions. One of the top priorities is recruiting and training high-quality human resources while proactively embracing emerging technological trends. The company collaborates with leading universities and research institutes both domestically and internationally to recruit and train talent according to practical needs. At the same time, TECCO1 has signed agreements for training and technology transfer with major global consultancy corporations in fields such as high-tech bridge engineering, road tunnels, high-speed railways, seaports, and airports. The company also allocates significant resources for research and development activities, especially in Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology, positioning TECCO1 as a pioneer in this field in Vietnam.

Over its 40-year journey of construction and development, with the mission of “Opening Roads – Connecting the Future,” generations of TECCO1’s engineers and employees have always strived to overcome difficulties and successfully accomplish all tasks assigned by the Party and the State, regardless of circumstances. Building on past achievements and guided by a tradition of unity, perseverance, intelligence, and creativity, the company’s workforce remains determined to continue learning, improving, and fulfilling all assigned tasks in order to conquer new heights.

Recognizing the contributions, dedication, perseverance, and resilience of generations of leaders and employees throughout different periods, today’s generation proudly inherits that proud tradition and is determined to further strengthen and sustainably develop TECCO1.