The program “Unlimited Connections – Building a City of Light” broadcast on HTV9 provides a comprehensive perspective on the role of lighting in shaping modern and sustainable urban areas.

The story of Saigon’s light—an essential element of life and culture—has been shaped by its tropical climate and a distinctive “nightlife” culture since the city’s earliest days. Lighting not only ensures the safety of living and working spaces but also contributes to the aesthetics and prominence of modern urban architecture. However, uncontrolled use of lighting can lead to energy waste and environmental pollution. The program emphasizes the importance of smart lighting that is appropriate, sufficient, and aesthetically pleasing while minimizing light pollution, aiming to enhance overall visual harmony with the surrounding space. Building a city of light that is exemplary, harmonious, and rich in identity is a collective effort—to make the city brighter, more beautiful, and increasingly civilized.

Urban lighting is not merely about beautification; it also fosters a sense of comfort and relaxation, drawing residents into the city’s nighttime activities, thereby making the urban environment more vibrant and dynamic.

Architect Hồ Viết Vinh

We invite you to watch the program to explore the role of lighting in building smart, modern, and sustainable cities.

The goal is to enhance connectivity between Can Gio and neighboring provinces, particularly Vung Tau. As Ho Chi Minh City continues to expand, the demand for infrastructure grows, posing potential risks to Can Gio’s ecological integrity. Special attention is given to strengthening links with the nearby beach resort of Vung Tau, initially through a speedboat network and eventually with the proposed construction of an undersea tunnel.
While the jury found the tunnel proposal highly debatable, they acknowledged that the previously approved masterplan lacked adequate provisions for improving these connections. Team 4 prioritized these links, making them a central focus of their proposal.

Another key aspect of the development proposed by the team is the diversification of tourism activities. These could range from walking or boating excursions through the mangroves to farm visits, beach activities, and trips to nearby provinces made more accessible through the improved transportation links.
The team also presented a project to reclaim land and create two artificial islands off the coast at the eastern and western ends. These islands are envisioned as hubs for diverse tourism activities, offering unique experiences to visitors.

Achieving these objectives will require significant improvements to infrastructure. A high-speed transportation system must be implemented in a way that respects the environment and minimizes pollution, bringing Can Gio closer to nearby development areas.
Freshwater supply is critical for both residents and tourists. A sustainable water collection and recycling system should be established to optimize this valuable resource while preventing water pollution.
The construction of eco-houses will help balance the infrastructural development, ensuring harmony with the natural surroundings. Additionally, all other modes of transportation within the area will be designed to be environmentally friendly.

The project seeks to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Can Gio. This will be accomplished by preserving and upgrading traditional activities such as farming and those along the beach.
Locals will be encouraged to participate in service, trade, and production activities to meet the demands of tourism while maintaining their cultural heritage. Traditional practices will be promoted, enabling those living in the forest, on the beach, or along the river to share their unique ways of life.
Additionally, numerous public spaces and recreational activities will be developed, fostering leisure and entertainment opportunities for both residents and visitors.

The southern area of Can Gio along the beach will be developed with a focus on preserving the connections between the forest and the sea. Six key axes will serve as the foundation for these links: an agricultural production axis, a commercial axis, a festival axis, a handicraft village axis, a traditional market axis, and a public space axis.
This approach ensures that development respects the natural and cultural heritage of the region while creating vibrant and functional spaces for both residents and visitors.

The ultimate aim of this proposal is to evoke and enrich people’s senses and emotions, creating an “emotional city”. Both visitors and locals will be immersed in a symphony of sensory experiences:
They will listen to the soothing sounds of the forest and the rhythmic waves of the beach. They will marvel at breathtaking views of the sea and lush forests, swim in the waves, and feel the textures of the forest’s natural wonders.
The air will carry the refreshing scent of the sea, mingling with the intricate fragrances of the mangrove. They will savor the local flavors, from seafood harvested from the river and sea to traditional delicacies.
Beyond these sensory delights, their emotions will be further deepened by the rich history, vibrant culture, and timeless traditions of Can Gio, making every moment a journey of discovery and connection.

Team 4

• Ho Viet Vinh – Leader Architect, Urban Planner
• Pham Phu Cuong – Architect
• Nguyen Hong Minh – Architect
• Hoang Anh Tu – Architect, Urban Planner
• Pham Anh Tuan – Architect, Urban Planner
• Nguyen Anh Tuan – Architect, Landscape Architect

Team 4, comprised entirely of Vietnamese professionals and led by Architect Ho Viet Vinh, brought a profound vision for the future of Can Gio. The team outlined a series of key objectives, including the preservation of the mangrove ecosystem—both its core and transitional areas—the optimization and development of local production activities, and the protection of water resources from pollution originating from the Saigon-Dong Nai River and the sea.
For their insightful and forward-thinking approach, Team 4 awarded a special mention from the Workshops of Cergy-Pontoise.

Project
Container Resort
Location
Cu Lao Pho, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam
Area
1.500 m²
Services
Masterplan, Architecture and Interior design
Status
Under construction
Team
HVV Architect & Partners

Intro
Standing in the garden feels like stepping into a separate realm, where time seems to pause, leaving only gentle sounds and serene imagery. Beneath the shade of an ancient Bodhi tree, the Buddha statue exudes a quiet majesty, offering a soft reminder to let go of burdens and listen to the tranquil rhythm within the depths of the soul.
This is not just a place of retreat but a sanctuary for rediscovering peace amidst life’s constant flow. Here, lush greenery embraces every contour of modern architecture, together composing a perfect harmony that guides individuals back to their true selves.

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.

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

Thien An Community Park, Hue symbolizes the exchange process among communities settling in a new land. They bring with them vast knowledge, unique customs, and aspirations to build a life in this new place. The community serves as a space for openness, exchange, learning, and growth. The process of convergence, interaction, and experimentation among these communities has shaped a distinctive character for the culture of the historic ancient capital.

The park recreates the process of community formation through five main spaces:

• Meeting Space
• Exchange Space
• Agglomeration Space
• Experimental Space
• Performance Space

Each space embodies a unique form and function, representing a distinct stage in the process of community and cultural exchange.

Inviting a contemplation of the divine within the mundane, a glimpse into the aura of life itself, forever capturing the transient light and darkness that dance within the soul’s depths.
Ho Viet Vinh

“Kiến trúc sư cần phát triển khả năng suy nghĩ sáng tạo, đột phá các giới hạn thông thường mà AI có thể khó bắt chước. Các ý tưởng độc đáo, cảm xúc sâu sắc và nghệ thuật trừu tượng luôn khó được mô phỏng bởi AI, vì chúng phụ thuộc nhiều vào trải nghiệm sống và hiểu biết văn hóa của con người.” – KTS Hồ Viết Vinh

Cơ duyên cho Tôi gặp và hóng chuyện với danh hoạ Hồ Hữu Thủ: là một trong những tên tuổi hàng đầu của nền mỹ thuật Việt Nam.
Thế giới nghệ thuật của ông là sự kết hợp độc đáo giữa các hình tượng quen thuộc: thiếu nữ – hoa sen – mảnh trăng. Những hình ảnh này không đơn thuần là miêu tả hiện thực, mà đã được chọn lọc và biến thành những biểu tượng mang vẻ đẹp tinh khiết, hồn nhiên trong một không gian vừa thực vừa siêu thực.

Ghé thăm triển lãm “Hội hoạ trừu tượng Cha và Con” tại TAA Gallery, Tôi như được gặp lại phong thái nho nhã pha lẫn minh triết nơi Ông.