Social housing as a pathway to sustainable development in Vietnam: an SDG-based analytical framework

Purpose Social housing (SH) plays an essential role in addressing housing needs in rapidly urbanizing countries. In Vietnam, policy discussions primarily emphasize affordability and housing supply targets. However, limited attention is given to the broader developmental functions of SH. Therefore, this study aims to examine SH as a strategic pathway to sustainable development in Vietnam. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a conceptual research design grounded in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. It synthesizes national policy documents, official statistics and international housing literature. An SDG-based analytical framework is developed to examine the multidimensional contributions of SH. Findings The analysis identifies three key domains of contribution: social sustainability, urban and institutional sustainability and environmental sustainability. The findings highlight that SH generates multidimensional co-benefits beyond its traditional welfare function. Originality/value This study contributes to the housing literature by integrating SH policy into broader sustainability agendas. It proposes a conceptual shift from welfare-based housing toward a long-term development strategy in emerging urban contexts such as Vietnam.