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8FOREWORD FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Our dear Readers,
On the pathway of modern development of Vietnamese Architecture over almost half a century, in addition to the buildings designed by Vietnamese architects, there has been some projects by foreign architects and consultants. This is regarded as the universality of architecture in the world in the integration and globalisation. So how did we catch up with this issue in Vietnam? What is the result – success or failure? Those issues should be considered by both the professionals and the community. We need to make judgements and assessments as exactly as possible, thereby proposing good solutions in time to those issues.
In this issue, the Journal of Architecture would like to give an overview of the issue. The content presented by experts will focus on the situation from the past to the present, proposing improvisation to the future development in the following aspects: Firstly, international architectural consultancy in Vietnam, the impacts on architectural development; Secondly, the role of Vietnamese architects in the cooperation with international architectural consultants during the implementation in Vietnam; Thirdly, whether or not Vietnamese architects “lost the game at home”; Fourthly, how the preservation – promotion – renewal of the architectural identity of Vietnam should be done in the integration; Fifthly, the efficiency and prospects of “modernising Vietnamese architecture” in the integration; Sixthly, the roadmap to export Vietnamese architecture in globalisation, and some other questions. It is expected that these examples of international architecture from the North to the South will provide the readers with a panoramic picture to reflect on the current development and share with professionals in practising architecture, with officials in the central government and local authorities, as well as with the community, who use the buildings as special products. Then, we will work together and let Vietnamese architecture integrate in the flat world without losing its identity.
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REVIEW OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS BY INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS IN VIETNAM IN NEARLY HALF A CENTURY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
• PHAN DANG SON
The so-called “modernisation of national architecture” and “nationalisation of modern architecture” must be regarded as two concurrent problems to be solved by both Vietnamese and international architects. We have no reason to underestimate the role of international architects in this issue. It is also high time that we should stop thinking that the architecture today is fragmented and driven by this school or that school. The world no longer discusses this matter.
The participation of international architects in Vietnam, or the penetration of designs from other countries in everyday designs by Vietnamese architects, has become a fact that still continues. We only have to actively accept the fact and behave properly on the basis of equality.
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17INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTS IN VIETNAMESE CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE
• NGUYEN VAN TAT
In the era of renovation and integration, international architects are present with buildings designed by their skills and experience. This is certainly a positive factor, in line with the development trend today. It is necessary to recognise their role as a driving force and their influence as masters in the transitional period – from the subsidy system (in wartime) to the market economy (in the integration) while Vietnamese architecture is developing towards modernity. We must cherish the opportunities to learn more from the advanced knowledge and experience of international architects – with sincerity and with professional self-respect as well. And, conversely, along with an effective mechanism, international colleagues should be responsible for the interests of the community architecture where they practise, for the sustainable quality of the buildings and for the development strategy of human resources in architecture.
Management policies need to create equal cooperation between home and foreign architects, unify the architectural practice law in accordance with the laws in the region and in the world. Apart from the high requirements as reflected in advanced and appropriate architecture, it is also necessary to establish a strategy in order to improve the quality of the country’s human resources in architectural practice by means of effective regulations and fruitful cooperation.
For architects themselves, international integration is an indispensable pathway. We architects welcome well-qualified international architects. But, in order to avoid losing identity, on the one hand we must really appreciate their intellectual contribution, seeing them as inspiring and motivating teachers. On the other hand, there is a desire to acquire and improve knowledge, and quickly demonstrate equality in the profession, proving abilities to foreign colleagues. We are experts in our own place – That is an integration of dignity and responsibility.
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20HOW SHOULD WE LIVE TOGETHER? BIENNALE ARCHITETTURA 2021
• SON DANG
The current global pandemic has undoubtedly made the question that this Biennale Architettura is asking more relevant and urgent, even if, with the ironic truth, we are falling into isolation and social distancing. It could actually be a coincidence that the topic was suggested a few months before the pandemic broke out. However, the initial reasons why curator Hashim Sarkis raised this question were quite broad: The on-going climate crisis, massive population migration, political instability around the world, and inequality in racial, social and economic issues – and this pandemic is caused by all these things.
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24“IMPORTED” ARCHITECTURE AND MODERNISATION OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE IN VIETNAM
• NGUYEN VIET HUY
It is necessary to consider imported architecture and its trends as an integral part of the integration, industrialisation and modernisation. But it does not mean that we are easy to accept all architectural languages which will make the cityscape chaotic, and probably not in accordance with the general social development. A rather sad fact should be noted: Foreign architectural offices when designing buildings and implementing their works in Vietnam, vernacular elements and modernising vernacular elements are investigated quite carefully and thoroughly. Meanwhile, Vietnamese architects – for various reasons – tend to design buildings in fake old styles or exotic styles that are inappropriate for the local context, climate and culture.
Should there be sanctions and specific legal bases in the application or imported architecture, so that Vietnamese architecture still meets the demand for modern elements in the development and integration but still ensures the harmony with the natural context and local culture?
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32WHY DOES VIETNAM HAVE VERY FEW BUILDINGS DESIGNED BY MODERN WORLD STARCHITECTS?
• HA VAN THANH KHUONG
• LE NGUYEN PHUONG
• LE HOANG PHUONG
If still maintaining the current environment for practising architecture, Vietnam is (and will be) like some other countries: Leading international architectural firms come to design buildings as commercially invited, thus not really leave an impact of the author’s creativity. The absence of top- notch works of international starchitects is a huge disadvantage in the development of architects in particular and socio-economy in general. This is still happening today, not just in the past.
In order to make changes, Vietnam can learn from experience, choose to apply the strategies learnt from other countries with specific orientations and plans. Similar to Japan or the United States, we can completely turn vernacular elements into global trends that are widely applied and worldwide used instead of the thinking “only in Vietnam” as it is still going on now.
It is never too late, the state and local authorities need to have a strategy for master architects: Making them known, inviting them to come, making them interested, enabling them to develop creativity and helping them succeed. Hereby, the architects themselves will have the opportunity to realise the tradition of “respecting the masters” so that Vietnamese architecture can further develop.
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36ARE VIETNAMESE ARCHITECTS PRESSED?
• NGUYEN HUY KHANH
Architects and design consultant enterprises need to have a broader view of the market, including income and financial issues. Because of the country’s conditions, the profession has both advantages and disadvantages to a certain extent. But it is not possible to say otherwise under the same market conditions, foreign design consultants with the disadvantage of higher costs still dominate the home market, especially in concept design. The fact that Vietnamese architectural design consultants do not take their advantages at home is something we have to think about objectively, seriously and thoroughly. In addition, daring to change the way of thinking, to reform the system, in which the role of the State is decisive to enhance the capacity, is indispensable when domestic design consultants want to win a proper market share again, and when we want “Vietnamese people to use Vietnamese goods”!
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45ABOUT FOREIGN ARCHITECTS IN VIETNAM AFTER 1975
• VU HIEP
The history of Vietnam’s 20th century architecture has demonstrated that the best foreign architects who have enduring works despite the passing of time are those who appreciate local specific conditions in terms of climate, culture and aesthetics, harmoniously combining international features with local factors. But designs by foreign architects in recent years have rarely considered it seriously. Looking at majestic buildings or the country’s important buildings, we find that they may be copies from somewhere in the world. We cannot help feeling sad for many reasons: Firstly, the superficiality and lack of creativity of international architects when they come to work in Vietnam, they do their own things and force us to follow them; Secondly, there is almost no critique from domestic investors and experts, they just pamper foreign architects.
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54ARCHITECT MAI HUNG TRUNG: FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE IN ARCHITECTURE
Architecture is formed not only from external conditions but also from the inner philosophy of each architect. A good architecture will be found in the middle of these two conditions and make that philosophy exist naturally as if it belonged to that place where it is bound by the factors such as soil, physical environment and rules. It can also be seen as a clever compromise between the egoism, the non-orthodox currents of thought, and the inherent conditions predetermined.
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69INTERNATIONALISATION, VERNACULARISATION AND TECHNOLOGICALISATION OF URBAN PUBLIC SPACE IN VIETNAM
• NGUYEN HAI VAN HIEN
• NGUYEN QUANG MINH
Management level, design capacity and natural – economic – cultural – social characteristics of an area can be reflected in public space. There are many trends in organising public space in the world, of which the most prominent are the following six trends: 1. Ecologicalisation, 2. Internationalisation, 3. Localisation (vernacularisation), 4. Technologicalisation, 5. Multi-functionalisation and 6. Flexibilisation. This article discusses the trends number two, number three and number four, which have been applied worldwide but are still relatively new in Vietnam. In fact, internationalisation and localisation (vernacularisation) are an exploration and refinement of a number of factors for public space, such as culture and commerce and then by way of arts bringing something new and attractive to the community. In the meantime, technologicalisation is actually an integration of technology into space with the advancement of technology in order to bring more convenience to people when they use public space in daily life.
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74HERITAGE VALUES OF CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN THE EARLY DAYS IN THE RED RIVER DELTA
• TRAN QUOC BAO
The early Catholic churches in the Red River Delta were built by the local people who made great efforts, using the essence of folk arts in architecture and talented craftsmen were in charge of the construction. Most churches are well proportioned, and interior and exterior are harmonised. Traditional architectural elements were applied, Asian and European architectural elements were skilfully combined. As a result, the Catholic churches in the area are impressive and unique.
Most of the early Catholic churches in the Red River Delta have not yet been classified as relics, so preserving this heritage has scarcely been raised. Many churches have not been properly repaired and lost their originality. Some churches were demolished and rebuilt. This is a problem that needs to be solved in the forthcoming years by the local government, the Catholic community and the local people as well.
