Page: 12
Foreword from the editorial board
Dear readers,
The circular economy is emerging as a global trend, as an economic model that not only aims for sustainable development but also promotes waste reduction and the efficient reuse of resources. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s interior architecture industry faces new opportunities and challenges. Integrating the principles of the circular economy not only demands creativity but also requires environmental responsibility from design firms.
To connect and encourage stakeholders to increase investment in research, innovation, and especially in strategies to raise consumer awareness about the value and significance of sustainable interiors, Architecture Magazine – Vietnam Association of Architects presents this Special Feature: Interior Architecture in the Circular Economy Model in Vietnam. With the participation of many interdisciplinary experts, not only interior architects but also interior designers and research specialists, and in partnership with the Institute of Architecture and Interior Design at Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, this Special Feature aims for the full engagement of the professional community in the context of developing a sustainable, circular economic model and enhancing the quality of living spaces for the public.
In addition to research articles, the highlights of Issue 10/2025 are the key activities of the professional community, such as the National
Festival of Young Architects, the “Green Journey” in research and practice, the Vietnam Interior and Building Exhibition – Vibe 2025, …
This issue of Architecture Magazine sends an important message to our readers: the circular economy is not just a trend but the key to the future. By successfully transitioning to this model, the interior architecture industry will not only achieve sustainable development criteria but will also make a significant contribution to protecting the natural environment and improving the quality of life for the community.
We are honored to present to our readers Issue 10/2025 of Architecture Magazine!
Page: 13
The green journey – The imprint of Vietnam’s young Architects’ Generation
M.Arch. Nguyen Anh Duong
The 10th National Festival of Young Architects was a success, bringing together over 1,000 young architects from across the country in Hue City—a heritage land rich in identity. From its very theme, “The Green Journey,” the 2025 National Festival of Young Architects affirmed that it was not just the largest professional gathering for young Vietnamese architects, but also a special milestone in the two-decade journey of the national young architects’ movement, marked by the powerful spread of the professional community’s spirit of creativity, responsibility, and solidarity in an era of integration.
Page: 17
The breath of architecture: A phenomenological approach to reused materials
Arch. Nguyen Manh Tri
The government’s National Action Plan for the Circular Economy implementation by 2035 affirms the critical need for recycling and reuse in construction. However, if viewed solely through a technical or policy lens, we risk overlooking the phenomenological value of the material life cycle in architecture: Reuse is not merely about diversion from landfills; it also carries with it memory, culture, and a climatic sensibility. When top-down policies are connected with bottom-up design activities, the recycling of materials in architecture and interiors can become a form of cultural expression, rather than just a technical solution. This article will use phenomenological theory and examples of tropical architecture to show that recycling materials and adaptive building can create interior spaces that are ecological and emotionally rich, as well as imbued with a strong local character.
Page: 27
Interior architecture and reusable design strategies in the era of the circular economy in Vietnam
Dr. Arch. Nguyen Viet Khoa
Vietnam is one of the nations most heavily affected by climate change, necessitating adaptive solutions to mitigate the damage. The widespread exploitation of natural wood and other materials is threatening forest resources, placing immense pressure on the environment and leading to the depletion of natural resources. Meanwhile, the consumption of interior products is increasing due to deep integration with the global economy and rapid urbanization, generating significant waste that requires mitigation solutions.
In this context, reusable design strategies within interior architecture have become an urgent imperative in the era of the circular economy.
When systematically implemented, a strategy of reusable interior architectural design (also known as sustainable design in the era of the circular economy in Vietnam) creates beautiful, cost-effective, and identity-rich interior architectural works, transforms “waste” into on-site resources, activates local value chains, and enhances the quality of life for the Vietnamese people.
Page: 42
The influence of interior materials on indoor air pollutants and health consequences
M.S. Tran Thi Minh Nguyet
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arch. Pham Thi Hai Ha
Indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), indoor air pollution levels can be 2-5 times, and in some cases up to 100 times, higher than outdoor levels [1], especially in newly furnished homes. The primary cause stems from emissions from building and decorative materials used in interiors, such as paint, engineered wood, carpets, and adhesives. This paper analyzes the impact of pollutant emissions from interior materials and furnishings on indoor air quality, demonstrated through real-world measurements and provides recommendations for material selection in interior design and construction to protect the long-term health of users.
Page: 48
Architecture in the digital era: From IBEW 2025 to the integration journey of the Vietnamese professional community
M.Arch. Nguyen Anh Duong
In early September 2025, the International Built Environment Week (IBEW) 2025 and the BEX Asia 2025 exhibition were held at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre in Singapore, under the theme “Today’s Professional, Tomorrow’s Expert.” This year, Architecture Magazine – Vietnam Association of Architects once again attended alongside the Vietnamese professional community, participating in professional conferences, technology exhibitions, and networking with international peers, showcasing the active spirit of learning and integration of Vietnamese architects within the regional architectural landscape.
Page: 65
Sustainable supply chain management in the design and production of interior products in Vietnam towards a circular economy model
• M.Arch. Duong An Ha
• M.Arch. Do Thu Thuy
This paper presents a strategic orientation for integrating sustainable development into supply chain management for the design and production of interior products in Vietnam, aiming to transition towards a circular economy model. From the perspective of architects and interior designers, and through a review of international experiences in sustainable interior design and an analysis of the current state of Vietnam’s interior industry, the research builds upon the theoretical foundations of sustainable supply chains and the circular economy, to propose a sustainable interior supply chain model for Vietnam, encompassing all stages from material selection and specification, design, production, and distribution, through use, to recovery and recycling. The findings emphasize the importance of the efficient use of resources and the development of recycled interior materials and products, as well as highlight the strategic placement of the design and production stages, coupled with collaboration among all stakeholders, to strengthen the links in the supply chain and promote responsible consumption, aiming to contribute to the Net Zero 2050 goal and enhance the industry’s competitiveness.
Page: 75
Applying interior space design principles for older adults living in ho chi minh city in the current context
Trinh Hoai Linh
Vietnam is experiencing a rapid population aging process, posing an urgent need to restructure living environments to ensure safety, comfort, and independence for the elderly. This paper focuses on analyzing the strategic role of interior design in improving the quality of life for older adults, through a multidisciplinary approach and the principles of Universal Design. The research employs an interdisciplinary method, combining surveys and expert consultations. At the same time, it evaluates several typical housing cases in Ho Chi Minh City to assess their suitability for the specific needs of the elderly. Based on these findings, the study proposes a set of interior design principles that respond to population aging, applicable in both renovation and new design. It also recommends integrating these principles into technical standards and professional training programs, aiming to develop sustainable housing models that adapt to the increasingly aging demographic structure.
Page: 91
Sustainable interior design education integrated with the circular economy solutions in digital technology, local materials, and interdisciplinary collaboration
M.a. Nguyen Duc Toan
As the world’s second-largest furniture exporter, Vietnam possesses a competitive advantage but faces significant sustainability challenges. Due to its short replacement cycles, the furniture industry is a major contributor to CO2 emissions from materials and production. The circular economy (CE), based on the principle that “everything is an input for something else,” is identified as an optimal solution for optimizing resources, reducing emissions, and increasing business value. However, current interior architecture education at universities has not yet sufficiently addressed this field. This article proposes an innovative educational model to enhance professional capabilities, meet international standards, promote a sustainable furniture industry, and create economic and social value.
