The year 2024 marks many important milestones in the country’s development, from economic and political achievements or challenges to responding to natural disasters and climate change. The Vietnam Association of Architects has continued to affirm its role in contributing to the development of the architectural industry. Over the past year, the Vietnam Association of Architects has strived to promote creative activities, associated with the social responsibility of the profession and the preservation of the nation’s architectural values. Practical programs have contributed to improving the quality of life for people, especially in areas affected by climate change.
Architecture Magazine will review in this article, the outstanding activities of the Association of Architects over the past year, demonstrating a strong commitment to the development of the profession and the community.
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Actively deploy and complete Phase 1 for 05 projects assigned by the Government to preside over, implementing according to the Direction for the Development of Vietnamese Architecture to 2030, with a vision to 2050
After completing the project to Build and develop a system of theories and critiques of Vietnamese architecture (2022-2023) as planned, the Vietnam Association of Architects continues to preside over and complete Phase 1 for 4/5 7-year research projects (2022-2028) assigned by the Government according to the Direction for the Development of Vietnamese Architecture to 2030, with a vision to 2050 (Decision 1246/2021/QD-TTg). Over the past year, many professional seminars and workshops have been organized, attracting the participation of leading experts in the fields of research, theory, architectural critique, etc. These events not only create opportunities to share and exchange knowledge and experience, but also contribute to raising public awareness of the value of Vietnamese architecture.
The projects include: (1) Rural architecture project from traditional to modern, connecting with the integration period; (2) Project for training and innovation to improve the quality of human resources of architects towards international integration; (3) Project for preserving and displaying the architectural identity values of the Vietnamese people; (4) Research project on preserving, promoting and innovating in the development of Vietnamese architecture.
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The 6th Central Executive Committee Conference, Session X and the Autumn Meeting Workshop “Residential Architecture Adapting to Climate Change” in Vinh Long
On November 16, 2024, the 6th Central Executive Committee Conference, Session X of the Vietnam Architects Association took place successfully at the Vinh Long Provincial Convention Center, chaired by Dr. Architect Phan Dang Son – President of the Vietnam Architects Association. The Conference was attended by 95/105 members of the Central Executive Committee of the Association and 25/35 Presidents of the local Architects Associations and affiliated Branches. This is the final Executive Committee Conference of the term. In addition to summarizing the Association’s activities in 2024 and the direction of activities in 2025, the Conference discussed and contributed opinions to the Draft documents of the 11th Congress, and the personnel work of the Executive Committee and the Standing Committee of the next term. The conference highly appreciated the dynamic, creative and effective leadership ensuring democracy and transparency of the Standing Committee and the Standing Board of the Association’s leaders, along with the direction of the Chairman in the Association’s activities.
On the same morning, the Executive Committee members, Chairmen of the Association of Architects headquarter, affiliated branches; delegates, guests and more than 300 architects from many localities across the country attended the Autumn Meeting 2024 with the theme “Residential architecture adapting to climate change” and the Exhibition of Residential Architecture in the Mekong Delta adapting to climate change. Here, experts discussed sustainable architectural solutions, emphasizing the design of houses suitable for the typical climatic conditions of each region, using green materials and saving energy. The workshop created an opportunity for architects and experts to exchange ideas to respond to the challenges of climate change.
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Chairman of the Council of Large-Scale National Architecture and Planning Competitions
In 2024, the architectural community recorded many large-scale competitions for planning ideas and architectural solutions, playing an important role in shaping the country’s outstanding architectural and planning projects. These competitions are not only highly professional in nature but also contribute to demonstrating the strategic vision for the development of infrastructure, culture and urban environment in the future. Dr. Architect Phan Dang Son, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Architects, was invited by the Investor to participate as Chairman of the Competition Council in large-scale architecture and planning competitions, demonstrating the high trust of the community in the leadership role of the Vietnam Association of Architects.
Some prominent competitions in 2024 include: Competition for Planning Ideas for a Multi-functional Cultural Park in the Middle and Red River Banks, Competition for Architectural Design of Thuong Cat Bridge under the Investment Project for Construction of Thuong Cat Bridge and Roads at Both Ends of the Bridge, Competition for Architectural Design of the 108-storey Financial Tower – North Hanoi Smart City Project, Competition for Planning Ideas and Architectural Design of the Mekong Delta Agricultural Museum, Competition for Architectural Design of the Joint Headquarters in Khanh Hoa, etc.
The competitions not only improve the design quality of major projects but also contribute to promoting creativity and innovation in the Vietnamese architectural community, while ensuring standards in planning and architecture are consistent with approved projects.
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Implement the Rural Architecture program with a handbook and issue the first batch of 200 house models for regions
In the face of the reality of socio-economic development and complex climate change, it is necessary to conduct research on rural housing architecture in all regions. The Vietnam Association of Architects has implemented the Rural Architecture program with a handbook to provide rural people with basic knowledge to form their own architectural ideas about their houses, make requirements for architects, and work with architects to design projects and control all construction work of their individual houses in rural areas. In 2024, the Association organized the collection, selection, and research of regularly updated rural housing models to introduce to the community and record over 200 house models for the Region and Area.
The handbook is expected to introduce construction design solutions that ensure efficiency in use, cost savings, safety, social security, flexibility (dividing, separating households or combining groups of family members, changing the economic activities of households, etc.) and architectural forms that have regional identity. Combining traditional experience with techniques, using modern materials and technology in a reasonable manner. At the same time, introducing some simple construction solutions to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
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Designing the reconstruction of Nu village and Nam Tong hamlet in Lao Cai under the Government’s emergency program
Implementing the direction of the Prime Minister, Lao Cai Province has coordinated with the Vietnam Television and the Vietnam Association of Architects to deploy the emergency design for the construction of Nu village (Bao Yen district) and Nam Tong village (Bac Ha district). In which, the Vietnam Association of Architects is responsible for making the general plan (the new Nu village location in the Sim Hill area, Bao Yen, 2 km from the old Nu village location; the new Nam Tong village location in Nam Luc commune, Bac Ha is selected and decided by the Province) and designing the project. The Institute of Architecture – Construction Planning of Lao Cai province carries out the detailed plan. The Vietnam Association of Architects promptly approached and urgently established a group of architects in charge of architectural design, chaired by Architect Hoang Thuc Hao, Vice President of the Association, to organize field trips and surveys to develop a general planning plan and design housing projects, schools, and community centers with the coordination of experts in structure, electricity, water, and ethnology in the shortest time. With the viewpoint that architectural design must be sustainable, ecological, economical, unique, and capable of assembling components, with fast construction time and quality assurance. Research from planning, design, location selection, and calculation of house architectural plans to ensure disaster prevention, sustainability, harmony with nature, and attention to cultural factors typical of ethnic groups, in accordance with traditional architecture and customs of the Tay people (Lang Nu village) and Mong people (Nam Tong village). The designs of the Vietnam Association of Architects have been approved by the Provincial Leaders, local authorities and have been agreed by the people in Lang Nu and Nam Tong villages.
This is part of the effort to rebuild and sustainably develop areas affected by natural disasters, aiming to improve the living conditions of local people. Through this project, the Vietnam Association of Architects has made an important contribution to improving the quality of infrastructure and improving the lives of people in disadvantaged areas.
On December 22, 2024, the projects to rebuild the residential areas of Lang Nu, Nam Tong and Kho Vang were officially inaugurated ahead of schedule with the support of ministries, branches, funds and sponsors; especially the efforts of Lao Cai province, Army Corps 12 and design and construction units.
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Seminar: Architectural and Planning Solutions to Minimize Damage from Storms and Floods in Vietnam
On September 18, 2024, after the severe damage caused by Storm No. 3, the Vietnam Association of Architects quickly organized a discussion: Architectural and Planning Solutions to Minimize Damage from Storms and Floods in Vietnam and gathered experts and managers from central to local levels to exchange experiences, thereby providing warnings and guidance on design solutions in construction.
Accordingly, issues were raised such as rapid urbanization, lack of drainage planning, and lack of preparation for storms and floods. Experts proposed the need to improve design standards and regulations, prioritize the development of sustainable architecture, suitable for terrain and natural conditions.
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The XIV National Architecture Student Festival – HUSC 2024: “Hue – Youth with Heritage”
Taking place for 5 days from April 20-24, 2024 in Hue City, the XIV National Architecture Student Festival has made its mark with the participation of nearly 1,000 lecturers, architecture students and businesses nationwide along with useful activities, bringing practical meaning to the community. “Hue – Youth with Heritage” is the theme throughout the Festival with many layers of meaning, aiming to explore the heritage beauty of the ancient capital and inspire the creativity and responsibility of the young generation in actively preserving important cultural heritages and works. This is also one of the important activities of the Vietnam Association of Architects – Towards the celebration of Vietnam Architecture Day on April 27.
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Successfully organize the 36th Loa Thanh Award – 2024
The Loa Thanh Award is an annual award for students in the fields of Architecture & Construction, the highest governing body is the Award Council, whose rotating Chairman is a representative from the presiding agencies and the Organizing Committee is the permanent member of the Vietnam Construction Association. The 36th Loa Thanh Award in 2024 is organized by the Vietnam Association of Architects and is responsible for the rotating Chairman of the Award Council.
Participating in the 36th Loa Thanh Award in 2024 are 22 universities with 193 projects (an increase of >6% compared to 2023). The projects are from universities training in construction, architecture, construction engineering technology, transportation, irrigation, etc. of public and private universities. In 2024, Loa Thanh Award recorded 02 First prizes, 18 Second prizes, 24 Third prizes and 22 Encouragement prizes.
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Great Success of Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2024
After 9 days of organization (from November 9 to 17, 2024), the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2024 welcomed nearly 300,000 people and tourists to enjoy and participate. The festival was directed by the Vietnam Association of Architects and the Hanoi People’s Committee; organized by the Department of Culture and Sports, the Permanent Architecture Magazine, with the accompaniment and coordination of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi and SOVICO Group; Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank), Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee, Hanoi Youth Union, departments, branches, People’s Committees of districts, towns, and businesses, community groups, experts and creative talents.
Entering the 4th season, marking 5 years since Hanoi became a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, the Creative Design Festival 2024 with the theme “Creative Crossroads” has been piloted along 7 typical historical heritage works of Hanoi and expanded with more than 110 activities in 12 typical cultural industry fields such as architecture, fine arts, performance, cinema, advertising… Highlights are creative community parades, iconic works, creative space installations, exhibitions – displays, performing arts activities, experiences, international and domestic seminars. In addition, nearly 50 creative activities responding from creative spaces have brought a jubilant atmosphere of the Creative Festival throughout the City.
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Actively cooperate with businesses to maximize the exchange and career development activities of architects
In 2024, the Vietnam Association of Architects actively cooperated and recognized the companionship of businesses in professional activities to promote the strengths of all parties, together creating meaningful and useful activities for the architectural and construction profession in Vietnam.
The signing ceremony with TOTO Vietnam Co., Ltd. on April 16, 2024 affirmed the extensive companionship between the two sides through professional competitions, especially the co-organization of the annual Architect Talk program with the participation of famous architects in Japan, contributing to sharing and creating a useful playground for architectural practitioners in Vietnam.
On April 22, 2024, the signing ceremony with Viglacera Ceramic Tile Trading Joint Stock Company also affirmed the companionship with the Vietnam Association of Architects through many activities with a high community spirit. At the same time, technical support and useful information about new technologies and materials are provided to help architects in their design and creative process.
M.Arch. Nguyễn Ánh Dương
Head of the Communications Committee of the Vietnam Architecture Magazine
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