VN architects win Friendly and Inclusive Spaces awards

Two Vietnamese architecture companies won special mention by the International Union of Architects (UIA) for their "Friendly and Inclusive Spaces".
VN architects win Friendly and Inclusive Spaces awards ảnh 1Panorama of “Farming Kindergarten” created by Vo Trong Nghia Architects (Photo: www.archdaily.com)
Hanoi (VNA) - Two Vietnamese architecture companies won specialmention by the International Union of Architects (UIA) for their "Friendlyand Inclusive Spaces".

H&P Architects won the award with its BE (Bamboo & Earth) FriendlySpace located in Quang Ninh province. Vo Trong Nghia Architects won the awardfor its “Farming Kindergarten”.

The awards recognise and promote inspiring examples of inclusive design – frombuildings and public spaces to research. The winners were announced last weekfrom among 76 entries from 28 countries.

Only 14 were awarded.

H&P Architects used a combination of bamboo and earth in a series ofprojects to create "a friendly space in suffocating urban areas.

Friendly Space presents an open space for the community, with importance beingattached to aspects of culture and art (exchanges, exhibitions, cuisines...)".

Located in the centre of Mao Khe town, the 220sq.m Friendly Space is made oflocally available friendly materials, with the participation of local builders.The entire project is made of earth-rammed walls in a zigzag pattern thatspares valuable green spaces for common use.

These open spaces are also connected to each other through randomly placedwindows. Above the used space is a double layer bamboo-made roof to regulatelight and air as well as to blur the boundary between the interior andexterior, the architecture and landscape.

The objective of the BE Friendly Space is to help raise social awareness of theneed for friendly spaces for communities in the context of the urbanisation andconcretisation gradually suffocating Mao Khe - one of the most populous townsin Vietnam.

“Farming Kindergarten” was built on a total area of 3,800sq.m for children ofworkers in an adjacent shoe factory in Hoa An ward, Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province.Inspired by the triple-ring grass, a group of architects from Vo Trong NghiaArchitects created a green, sustainable work which is harmoniously combinedwith nature and saves energy.

The project is characterised by a triple-ring green roof that encloses three secureplaygrounds, with 70 percent of its area covered by green trees. With 18classrooms and functional rooms for music, arts, healthcare, kitchen, exerciseand games, the school is capable of housing 700 children, aged two to five.

Besides highlighting the harmony with nature, the project also helps saveenergy. All rooms, covered by green liana, have two-sided windows whichmaximise the cross ventilation and natural lighting. Many energy-savingsolutions were used, such as solar energy panels, a water filtering machine andthe use of recycled wastewater to water trees.

In February this year, Farming Kindergarten was nominated as one of the top 30architectural designs by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) forits harmony with nature and energy savings.

The winning UIA entries and all shortlisted entries will be exhibited on theUIA Architecture for All Work Programme Stand at the UIA Congress in Seoul fromthe September 3 to 7 this year.-VNA
VNA

See more

International visitors stroll beneath the leafy trees along Hoan Kiem Lake, enjoying Hanoi’s cool autumn weather. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi’s autumn charms visitors with scenery, food and memories

Hoan Kiem lake remains a popular attraction, with colourful flowerbeds drawing residents and tourists for walks and photos. Visitors can continue through the Old Quarter, explore cafés in old buildings and sample local favourites such as pho and bun cha.

Guitarist Dang Ngoc Long performs with the Tübingen Symphony Orchestra (Germany) at the “A Rhapsody of Two Worlds” concert at Ho Guom Theatre in Hanoi in December 2025. (Photo: VNA)

From Berlin, the Vietnamese guitar fosters cultural connections to global community

This year, 30 contestants from 15 countries entered the competition, with five finalists set to compete on October 10 at Ballhaus Prinzenallee in Berlin. The programme also includes a gala concert, masterclasses and a guitar exhibition. Long’s compositions have been selected as compulsory pieces, introducing international musicians to Vietnamese music.

Visitors explore the Vietnamese booth. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam showcases cultural identity at RoK festival

The Vietnamese booth, presented by the Vietnamese Women’s Association in the RoK, attracted visitors with traditional items such as ao dai, conical hats, handicrafts and models showcasing Vietnamese folk culture, offering insights into the country’s heritage and people.

International tourists enthusiastically participate in activities associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam ranks among world’s top 10 favourite countries in 2026

Vietnam’s inclusion in the top 10 favourite countries in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards adds another important milestone to the country’s international tourism brand. The result not only underscores the destination’s appeal but also reflects growing international appreciation for Vietnam’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, cuisine and people.

Hanoi leaders attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the cultural industry centre. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi launches project to build cultural industry hub in Old Quarter

The project, covering about 3,862sqm. at 17 Nguyen Thien Thuat and 40 Thanh Ha, includes around 2,317sqm. of construction area. It will renovate existing structures, improve architecture and landscaping, upgrade technical infrastructure and create spaces for cultural, artistic and creative activities.

Director Tra Nguyen, founder of “The Run – A Theatre Project” (far right), joins international speakers at the panel discussion. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese experimental theatre shines at AAPPAC 2026

Vietnam’s participation in the 2026 Annual Conference of the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres (AAPPAC 2026) in Hong Kong highlights the growing international engagement of the country’s performing arts community.

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Trinh Duc Hai (right) speaks at a press conference introducing the Vietnamese Theatre Week in France. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese theatre arts to take centre stage in France

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Trinh Duc Hai noted that Paris is chosen for its status as a major global cultural and artistic centre and the headquarters of UNESCO. The year 2026 also marks 50 years since Vietnam joined UNESCO.

An overview of the press conference (Photo: VNA)

Over 2,000 people to perform Thai Xoe dance in Lao Cai in October

The festival will provide an opportunity to review achievements in preserving and promoting the values of Thai Xoe, honour the cultural identities of ethnic groups in the Northwestern region, and promote the land and people of Lao Cai. It will also showcase local tourism products and destinations and strengthen linkages for tourism development.

The Vietnamese and Panamanian first ladies experience cultures of Vietnam's ethnic groups. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Panamanian first ladies bond over ethnic textiles at Hanoi cultural event

The two ladies were briefed on the cultural diversity of Vietnam's ethnic groups and shown traditional costumes, along with weaving, embroidery and pattern-making techniques preserved and handed down through generations. The materials, colours and patterns of the costumes reflect aesthetic values as well as stories of history, customs, traditions and the distinct identity of each community.

Historical cinema helps foster patriotism, strengthen Vietnam’s soft power

Historical cinema helps foster patriotism, strengthen Vietnam’s soft power

When history is told through human stories, using modern cinematic language and backed by adequate investment, films can both nurture patriotism and national pride and become competitive cultural industry products. This is also a way for cinema to help turn the spirit of Politburo Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW into reality by transforming Vietnamese values into an internal resource and a source of national soft power.