Page: 12
The Aspiration of VietnameseArchitecture in a New Era: The Nation’s Epoch of Resurgence
• Dr. Arch. Phan Dang Son
President of the Vietnam Association of Architects
The 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Association of Architects for the 2026–2031 tenure convened with solemn grandeur from September 8th to 10th, 2026. Guided by the ethos of “Solidarity – Democracy – Innovation – Creativity – Development,” the Congress assembled 500 distinguished official delegates representing the architectural fraternity nationwide, alongside 300 esteemed guests from Party and State leadership, Central Ministries, international organizations, corporate partners, and media agencies.
During this momentous assembly, the Vietnamese architectural community collectively reflected upon the milestones achieved in the previous tenure, while charting the strategic trajectory for the 2026–2030 period. Central to this vision is a profound dedication to forging a Vietnamese architectural landscape that is inherently rich in cultural identity, robustly modern in its expression, and firmly integrated onto the global stage, anchoring the discipline within the nation’s era of comprehensive institutional and pragmatic breakthroughs.
Page: 23
A brief history of the green current in Vietnamese Architecture
• Arch. Hoang Thuc Hao
• Arch. Nguyen Manh Tri
Across centuries, our forebears cultivated and crystallized a profound philosophical framework rooted in the respect of nature within traditional architecture. The ancients harbored a deep-seated realization: to achieve a harmonious dwelling, one must not seek to subjugate nature, but rather adopt a fluid, symbiotic, and highly adaptive coexistence with it. Arch. Nguyen Cao Luyen profoundly observed: The climate compelled the Vietnamese people to “harness the inherent blessings of the earth and sky to mitigate the intrinsic calamities of nature. This is the ultimate secret of our ancestors in manifesting the vernacular dwelling—a residential realm, an artificial spatial construct capable of fulfilling the physiological, psychological, physical, and spiritual imperatives of the Vietnamese people amidst a harsh tropical environment” [1, pp. 20–21].
This ethos centers on residing in equilibrium with the natural world, elegantly leveraging nature’s own forces to counteract its extremes [2]. This doctrine is articulated across multiple scales, from macro-level master planning to the micro-level architectural articulation of individual buildings. Due to constraints, this exposition focuses on dissecting the traditional architectural paradigm, quintessentially manifested in the rural agrarian landscapes of the Northern Delta.
Page: 29
Advancing Architectural Theory and Criticism: Toward Elevating the Professional Competence of Architects in Vietnam
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Quan
A thriving architectural landscape invariably evolves in tandem with the profound quality of its theoretical and critical discourse. Retrospecting the annals of global architectural history elucidates a definitive truth: architectural theory and criticism serve not merely as a mirror reflecting the caliber of design, but as a nurturing cradle that fosters and sponsors avant-garde systems of creative thought, thereby establishing the intellectual prerequisites for artistic movements to transcend and flourish. It is unequivocal that Architectural Theory and Criticism actively participates in the creative genesis of successive generations of architects, fundamentally contributing to the spatial articulation of habitats and the orchestration of the urban physiognomy of every nation.
Page: 32
The Imprint of Vietnamese Architecture at UIA, Arcasia and Prestigious International Architectural Awards
- M.Arch. Nguyen Van Vu
- M.Arch. Do Dinh Trong
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arch. Nguyen Viet Huy
From its nascent engagements with regional and global professional networks, Vietnamese architecture has garnered increasing international acclaim, distinguished by cardinal values such as green architecture, climate responsiveness, community-centric design, the masterful utilization of vernacular materials, and the amplification of cultural identity. The success of various Vietnamese architects and studios demonstrates that deeply localized architecture can meaningfully contribute to the global architectural discourse. This paper delineates the trajectory of integration and the consolidation of Vietnamese architecture’s stature on international platforms, specifically through its active participation in the UIA, ARCASIA, and prestigious international architectural award circuits. Concurrently, it critically examines the paradigm shift from a mere “award-winning” pursuit to the cultivation of “distinctive values and an authentic voice”, ultimately aspiring to foster a Vietnamese architectural paradigm that seamlessly integrates into the global milieu while fiercely safeguarding its indigenous identity and actively resolving the shared dilemmas of contemporary architecture.
Page: 38
The Architectural Landscape of New Rural Housing: Modernization Intertwined with the Preservation of Traditional Cultural Identity
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arch. Nguyen Dinh Thi*
Over four decades of sweeping national renovation, the architectural typography of rural housing in our country has achieved remarkable milestones in its evolutionary trajectory. The architectural landscape of contemporary rural dwellings has embraced a modernized aesthetic, adeptly accommodating the multifaceted functional demands of daily life, of living, dining, studying, and resting, while remaining inextricably intertwined with the exploitation and preservation of traditional cultural identities.
Given the intrinsic characteristics of agrarian settings, discourse on rural architecture predominantly gravitates toward residential typologies, as these buildings serve as the primary repositories of traditional cultural heritage. This article delineates the evolving architectural physiognomy of rural housing, predicated on a trajectory of modernization harmonized with the safeguarding of cultural identity, reflecting upon 16 years of implementing the National Target Program for New Rural Development.
Looking ahead, the continued evolution of new rural housing architecture necessitates strategic orientation and stewardship from all echelons of governance and specialized sectors. Such guidance is imperative to ensure that rural dwellings seamlessly fuse modern utility with the pragmatic requirements of daily habitation and livelihood, all while fiercely conserving and elevating indigenous cultural values, thereby contributing to the cultivation of an advanced Vietnamese culture deeply imbued with its national ethos.
Page: 43
Architecture Magazine: Orientation Toward Renewing Architectural Media & Cultivating a Creative Ecosystem
• Journalist Bui Thi Thanh Huong
Editor-in-Chief of Architecture Magazine
Over four decades of steadfastly accompanying the evolution of the national architecture, Architecture Magazine, the official voice of the Vietnam Association of Architects, has continually solidified its stature as a preeminent specialized publication. It serves not merely as a sanctuary to honor and disseminate the creative ingenuity of the profession, but also as an incisive forum asserting the foundational role of architects in the broader socio-economic and cultural advancement of the nation.
The 2020–2026 trajectory bears witness to the Magazine’s profound paradigm shifts, driven by a resolute commitment to comprehensive innovation, spanning from operational frameworks to avant-garde digital transformation. Standing at the threshold of the Vietnam Association of Architects’ Congress for the 2026–2031 tenure, Architecture Magazine is poised for a monumental leap, preparing to establish itself as the vital nexus of the Creative Urban Ecosystem.
Page: 46
A Conversation with Arch. Nguyen Truong Luu:
“Architectural Practice Is Inseparable From Willpower…!”
• Arch. Vu Hiep (interviewer)
Every era harbors a tendency to either “entice” (or “exile”) individuals into its relentless vortex—and it is solely through indomitable willpower that an architect can sustain the warming flame of their passion. The following is an illuminating dialogue exploring the architectural odyssey of Arch. Nguyen Truong Luu, a distinguished second-generation practitioner with a profoundly unique foundational background. Hailing from the South, raised in the North, and educated at the Universities of Architecture in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, his life and oeuvre represent a masterful reconciliation of dichotomies: bridging the North and the South, harmonizing the untethered freedom of the artist with the rigid frameworks of the system, and balancing the pragmatic demands of livelihood with the poetic essence of creation…
Page: 54
Arch. Doan Thanh Ha – H&P Architects:
“Integration Means Stepping Into the World With Our Own Narrative”
• Bich Vuong (interviewer)
Having dedicated years to the profound philosophy of architecture for the people, the mere mention of Arch. Doan Thanh Ha (H&P Architects) instantly evokes within the professional community visions of rustic, tactile structures that are immensely rich in indigenous character and deeply imbued with a humanitarian ethos. Adorned with a multitude of prestigious domestic and international architectural accolades, his professional odyssey eschews the superficial emulation of nostalgia or the pursuit of fleeting formalistic trends. Instead, he demonstrates an unwavering commitment to transmuting indigenous vernacular knowledge through the lens of contemporary spatial intellect.
In anticipation of the 11th Congress of the Vietnam Association of Architects, Architecture Magazine engaged in a compelling dialogue with Arch. Doan Thanh Ha. The conversation traverses his philosophy of socially conscious design, the strategic positioning of the Vietnamese architectural voice on the global stage, and his profound reflections on the milieu of creative architectural practice in this nascent era.
Page: 107
Industrial Architectural Heritage Amidst Urban Development in Ho Chi Minh City
• Dr. Arch. Pham Phu Cuong
• Arch. Nguyen Thanh Huyen
The trajectory of industrialization and urban expansion has bequeathed to Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City a multifaceted tapestry of industrial architectural heritage, encompassing factories, manufacturing workshops, vast warehouses, maritime ports, and infrastructural complexes. Once the pulsating arteries of production, commerce, and urban sprawl, these sites now exist in varying states of metamorphosis: continuously operational, adaptively repurposed, entirely abandoned, or altogether erased. This paper conducts a rigorous survey of industrial architectural heritage sites within the inner-city precincts of Ho Chi Minh City, scrutinizing their typologies and contemporary conditions. From this analytical vantage point, the intrinsic values and latent potential for adaptive reuse are meticulously evaluated to delineate appropriate thresholds of architectural intervention, ranging from stringent preservation and adaptive metamorphosis to entirely new developments. Consequently, industrial architectural heritage transcends mere historical vestiges; it embodies enduring values that demand preservation and strategic integration into the ongoing continuum of urban evolution.
