From 23 to 26 April 2026, ARCH:ID – Indonesia’s annual architecture forum and exhibition – took place at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) in BSD City, drawing architects, businesses and organisations from across the architecture and construction sectors in the region and beyond.
Held in the lead-up to Vietnam Architecture Day on 27 April, the Vietnam Association of Architects organised a delegation to attend the event. The visit aimed to update members on emerging industry trends, strengthen connections with regional and international partners, and expand opportunities for professional exchange at a time when architecture is increasingly shaped by interdisciplinary collaboration.
ARCH:ID 2026 marked the sixth edition of the event and was staged on a large scale, bringing together more than 700 exhibition booths across approximately 18,000 square metres, with participation from hundreds of exhibitors from across the region. Beyond its exhibition programme, the event also served as a professional forum where contemporary architectural issues were explored in relation to materials, technology and other fields within the built environment.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Architect Phan Dang Son, President of the Vietnam Association of Architects and head of the Vietnamese delegation, noted that participation in regional platforms such as ARCH:ID reflects the growing need to position architecture within a broader context.
“Architecture today can no longer be viewed in isolation. Technology, materials and the creative industries are increasingly shaping the environments in which we live”, he said. “In this context, stronger international exchange and cooperation not only help us keep pace with new developments, but also broaden the role and approach of architects in professional practice”.
Alongside attending the opening ceremony, conferences and panel discussions, members of the Vietnamese delegation spent considerable time visiting the exhibition and meeting directly with participating organisations. Many of the exhibition spaces went beyond conventional trade booths, featuring carefully curated architectural installations developed in collaboration with design studios.
This was also one of the defining features of ARCH:ID 2026. The overall exhibition was curated by three architects, giving the event a clear thematic framework and a coherent spatial identity.
ARCH:ID 2026 also demonstrated how an architecture event can be organised around a distinctly interdisciplinary approach. Architecture was presented not as a standalone discipline, but in dialogue with product design, lighting, landscape and construction technology – areas that increasingly influence contemporary architectural practice.
In addition to the exhibition programme, the Vietnamese delegation also visited historic urban districts including Kota Tua in Jakarta, a notable example of urban conservation and regeneration amid the rapid development of Southeast Asian cities. The visit offered a valuable perspective beyond the exhibition setting, connecting professional discussions with real urban conditions where questions of preservation, adaptation and growth continuously intersect.
During the trip, the delegation also held meetings and exchanges with leaders of partner companies, corporations and professional organisations in Indonesia and across the region. Discussions focused on sharing professional experience, exploring opportunities for future cooperation, and opening pathways for joint activities and specialised exchanges. These conversations helped broaden professional networks and offered valuable insights into emerging architectural models and practices in the region.
As architecture becomes increasingly embedded within interdisciplinary ecosystems, participation in international forums such as ARCH:ID is more than professional outreach. It is part of a broader process of updating knowledge, expanding perspectives and shaping new directions for dialogue and collaboration for Vietnam’s architectural community in an increasingly integrated regional landscape.
© Vietnam Architecture Magazine
