Bathing in the mist of the mountains and forests, we are like super crooked footsteps. Overconfidence has given way to humble trembling. Following the breath we look back at the decaying frame of the mythical years. I falter, bowing my head not to beg, but to apologize for the unruly bare-headed man.

Voices of nature

The melodious reverberation of the mountains and forests,
Clouds cover the rising sun,
I silently curled up in the wind,
Absorb the mist of the dawn light.

Âm vang núi rừng

Du dương vọng tiếng hoà ca rừng núi,
Mây ngập tràn che khuất mặt trời lên,
Ta lặng im cuộn mình trong làn gió,
Men hơi sương ngút ngọn ánh bình minh.

Ho Viet Vinh, Dalat 2021

Next project | Phuoc Tich Pottery: Reviving the Timeless Craft of Hue’s Ancient Village

Thiên Lý Brigde – Entrance Gate to the village.
Source: HVV Architect and Partners

Phuoc Tich Ancient Village, established in 1470 during the reign of King Le Thanh Tong, lies 40 kilometers north of Hue, embraced by the gentle flow of the O Lau River. Within the village, 26 ancient wooden houses (nhà rường), each over a century old, stand as testaments to traditional craftsmanship. Among these, 12 houses are particularly esteemed for their architectural and artistic value. Additionally, the village is home to 12 water docks, iconic symbols of the rural charm of Hue.
Phuoc Tich pottery, renowned for its meticulous firing process in robust, high-temperature kilns, boasts exceptional durability—resistant to cracking and brittleness—while retaining heat and preserving flavors. The intricate designs etched into Phuoc Tich pottery are distinctive and refined, making them unmistakable among other ceramic products. Historically, Phuoc Tich pottery surpassed many renowned competitors to become the exclusive choice for the imperial court of Hue.
Today, the art of Phuoc Tich pottery is experiencing a revival, driven by passionate young artisans dedicated to preserving the traditional craft passed down through generations. Visitors to the ancient village can immerse themselves in its cultural heritage by participating in pottery-making workshops with local artisans, creating a memorable and hands-on connection to this timeless tradition.

Om Ngự Restaurant. Source: HVV, supported by AI
Hà Trì Tearoom. Source: HVV, supported by AI

HVV Architect & Partners embodies a vision where architecture resonates deeply with local heritage and the natural environment. All their design and construction projects are rooted in a commitment to authenticity, with a distinctive focus on using Phuoc Tich pottery as a core material.
Phuoc Tich pottery are not merely functional but carry the soul of Hue’s artisanal legacy. Their durability, natural hues, and fine craftsmanship make them a perfect medium for creating spaces that blend tradition with modernity. By incorporating the material, HVV Architect & Partners elevates local materials into architectural expressions that honor the past while embracing contemporary aesthetics.
Each project reflects a philosophy of harmonious living, where the choice of materials and design principles creates spaces that are sustainable, culturally enriched, and emotionally resonant. Visitors and occupants alike experience an intimate connection to Hue’s cultural identity through the timeless beauty of Phuoc Tich pottery, seamlessly integrated into innovative and inspiring architectural designs.
Through these efforts, HVV Architect & Partners not only showcases the versatility of traditional materials but also contributes to the preservation and celebration of Hue’s rich artistic heritage. This approach ensures that every building tells a story of place, people, and enduring craftsmanship.

Next project | Le Ba Dang Art Space

At the end of November 2024, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts launched the Le Ba Dang Art Space exhibition. The exhibition not only aims to showcase the distinctive creative values of painter Le Ba Dang but also serves as a tribute to the generosity of Mr. Le Tat Luyen and Mrs. Thuy Khue, who donated this collection. Their contribution has played a crucial role in preserving and promoting the value of this artistic heritage while fostering the creation of a vibrant art space that inspires future generations.

Architect Ho Viet Vinh at the Le Ba Dang art space.
A few lines capturing the emotions of Architect Ho Viet Vinh at the event.

“The famous painter Le Ba Dang has woven brocade and embroidered the beauty of the country and the Vietnamese soul with a new and unique language of painting.”

Architect Ho Viet Vinh

Next project | Architecture and Fine Arts during the reign of Khai Dinh, a historical perspective

Architecture of each nation evolves and develops along a historical trajectory. Particularly, royal architecture establishes solid foundations refined over time, becoming the formal language through which art thrives. Each dynasty selects its own stylistic language as a benchmark for evaluation and a marker of its era.
The selective inheritance across dynasties shapes the orthodox architectural tradition. This tradition adheres to strict principles of form-making, setting standards that serve as measures of artistic creativity. However, the end of each dynasty invariably signifies adaptations to external influences. Ultimately, the flow of architecture is once again reshaped and renewed, continuing its progression.

Khai Dinh tomb. Source: @molon.de

Emperor Khai Dinh utilized to infuse a sense of national identity into the architectural and artistic works of the royal court. These projects, executed during the late Nguyen dynasty, reflect a deliberate effort to adapt proactively to the changing circumstances.

Nearly a century later, the art of ceramic mosaic from the Khai Dinh era continues to flourish in temples, pagodas, shrines, and tombs.

To read the full research article below.

Next project | The Ideas competition for Thu Thiem Master Plan

Thu Thiem Pennisula from the old SaiGon city

The Concept for the Thu Thiem Master Plan envisions a lush peninsula of trees and waterways. Its urban spatial morphology is designed to achieve a balanced scale, harmonizing with the existing urban fabric. The central square is seamlessly connected by canals, directing water flows through the wetland forest. Along the banks of the Saigon River, open parks create a buffer that bridges the high-density urban spaces on the river’s west side.

The master plan for the Thu Thiem New Urban Center triumphed over 29 competing proposals (14 international and 15 Vietnamese) to earn high acclaim. The selected plan, originally proposed by SASAKI Inc., incorporated additional ideas during the detailed planning stage.
The selection committee, comprising renowned domestic and international urban experts, included figures such as Professor John Lang from New South Wales, Professor William S.W. Lim from Singapore, Professor Nguyen The Ba, and Professor Nguyen Manh Thu.

Former Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet at the exhibition of competition proposals.

Type
Urban Planning
Year
2003
Area
730 hectares
Location
District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Team
Professor Nguyen Trong Hoa
Master of Urban plannning Ho Viet Vinh

Next project | Ru

Ru
Ru đời mấy giấc chiêm bao,
Xôn xao như gió ngã nhào bờ mê,
Ru quê cho tỏ đường về,
Tỉ tê câu chuyện bờ đê mái đình,
Ru mình chỉ mấy lời kinh,
Tâm minh hồn triết thanh hình sắc tao.

Lullaby
Lull life’s dreams in fleeting flight,
Stirred like winds tumbling on enchanted dikes,
Lull the homeland, reveal the path home,
Whisper tales by riverbanks and village halls,
Lull the self with sacred dharmas,
Enlightened soul, wisdom’s grace in form and rhyme.

Ho Viet Vinh 250412

Tác phẩm của ĐKG. Bùi Hải Sơn

Next project | SPARKLE

“Whispers of ephemeral beauty, a tranquil moment captured in the chaos of existence. Shades of yellow and brown morph together, cradling hints of white and red, embodying the fleeting glimmer of life. Amidst this tumultuous beauty, the painting proposes a reflection on the essence of “sparkle” – not as mere glitz, but as a profound glitter of existence, intricate dance of light and shadow, beauty and decay.”

Ho Viet Vinh
Sparkle
Acrylic on canvas, 130x97cm, Maison d’Art 2024

Next project | Self – hypnosis

“Thi ca – Kiến trúc – điêu khắc – hội hoạ đang chuyển từ “tạo hình” sang “tạo điều kiện” cho con người tham gia, cho đô thị hồi sinh, cho vật liệu truy nguyên, và cho ký ức được tái sinh trong một trải nghiệm mới.”

“Poetry – Architecture -Sculpture – Painting are transmuting from sculpting forms into orchestrating conditions: for human participation, for urban reawakening, for materials to recount their origins, and for memory to be reborn within a new experience.”

KTS. Hồ Viết Vinh 260105

Next project | White lotus

An elegant white tone as the main theme, featuring multi-layered spaces with depth and subtle connections. The space is shaped with soft curves inspired by abstract nature creating a sense of fluidity and natural flow in the architecture. The decorative surfaces of loose furniture are finished with high-quality Vietnamese lacquer techniques. Natural light blends harmoniously with artificial lighting, interacting with materials like glass, lacquer, premium fabrics, and marble, evoking emotional contrasts between light, material, and space. The overall design exudes a contemporary artistic elegence.

White Lotus
HVV Architect & Partners with AI supported

Next project | FRAGILITY

FRAGILITY

“A sea of swirling blue, evokes the tempestuous depths of the soul, adrift in a world of fleeting beauty and despair. The stark white, a beacon of hope, struggles against the relentless tide of azure, a poignant reminder of the fragility of human existence.”

Ho Viet Vinh

Next project | Cần được khắc tên để tưởng nhớ

TP.HCM đang tổ chức cho người dân cả nước góp ý, hiến kế về “Công trình biểu tượng ghi nhận sự chung sức, đồng lòng của người dân vượt qua đại dịch COVID-19” tại TP.HCM ở khu đất số 1 Lý Thái Tổ (phường Vườn Lài).

Theo kiến trúc sư Hồ Viết Vinh,
Đối với đồng bào thành phố đã nằm xuống trong cuộc chiến chống đại dịch cần được tri ân, ghi nhớ một cách trân trọng tại công trình trên bằng cách khắc tên ở công trình. Rất nhiều công trình tưởng niệm trên thế giới đều có khắc tên các nạn nhân như công trình kỷ niệm sự kiện 11-9 ở Mỹ hay trận động đất ở Đường Sơn, Trung Quốc…
Đối với 23.000 đồng bào mất đi cần được nhắc nhớ một cách trang trọng để mọi người còn biết tưởng nhớ đến ai, tri ân ai. Những người đã nằm xuống cho cuộc sống hôm nay thì bất kể họ là ai, không phân biệt, phải được những người hôm nay, thế hệ sau đến công trình tham quan tự lắng đọng, biết ơn mới thể hiện sự nhân văn.

At 11-9 Memorial & Museum, New York | Source: internet

Vui lòng đọc đầy đủ nội dung bài báo tại link này (bấm vào đây).