In the bustling urban rhythm of Phan Xich Long’s vibrant food street, Vinhho Art Studio, the sanctuary of self training – painter Ho Viet Vinh, nestles quietly in a small alley typical of Saigon. The surrounding air hums with the everyday sounds of urban life and the rich aromas of street food delicacies.

Inside the compact studio where the artist crafts his paintings, everything appears orderly. The space is adorned with a variety of experimental works, each reflecting his diverse artistic journey. At the center of the room stands an old, slightly tilted wooden easel, holding an unfinished painting. The bold and uninhibited strokes on the canvas mirror the essence of the artist himself.

For those fortunate enough to explore the evolution of Vinhho’s artistry from his earliest days, each painting tells a distinct story, conveying profound messages about life, humanity, and especially nature. Through his brushstrokes, Ho Viet Vinh channels the most authentic emotions, inviting viewers to share in his perspective.

While the city outside thrums with its noisy, dynamic energy, this small studio offers a serene haven – a private world where Ho Viet Vinh and his collaborators dedicate themselves to crafting works of art that contribute to celebrating the breathtaking beauty and wonder of Vietnam.

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

An Article by Architect Ho Viet Vinh
(Mang Thit 16/11/2024)

Mang Thit – where brick kilns tell stories, where rivers light up Vietnam’s heritage.

A Journey of Riverside Culture and Traditional Craft
Mang Thit – more than just a name, it is the pulse of a riverside culture unique to the Mekong Delta. Inspired by the legendary Thay Cai Canal, where the nearly century-old brick and ceramic craft village flourished, the stage for the 2024 Mang Thit Brick and Ceramic Festival promises to be a creative symbol, not only preserving but also spreading the values of tradition.

1. A Floating Stage on the River – A Symbol of Harmony Between Culture and Nature
Imagine a stage designed as a living painting on water, where wooden boats adorned with shimmering lights drift gently, carrying the echoes of time and life. The main stage is not merely a place for performances but a “creative island” floating on the canal, pulsating as the heart of nature.
On the stage, the iconic imagery of traditional brick kilns will be reimagined through a blend of lighting and materials, creating a space that feels both familiar and magical. The arches of red bricks – a signature of Mang Thit – will be crafted as gateways to a journey of cultural discovery while producing dazzling reflections on the water’s surface.

2. Dynamic Living Scenes – When Riverside Life Becomes Art
Beyond being a static stage, the festival elevates its appeal with vibrant, living scenes performed directly on the river. Boats loaded with red-fired bricks, artistic ceramics, and baskets of orchard fruits will become part of the performance – telling the story of diligent, skillful locals.
The audience will not just watch but feel immersed in the flow of life during the craft village’s heyday. Cultural performances such as traditional opera, southern folk music, or ceramic dance displays will unfold on vividly decorated boats, gracefully moving across the water.

3. Lighting – A Language of Timeless Emotion
Lighting is the soul of the festival. The entire event space will be enveloped in modern artistic lighting, seamlessly blending with natural light reflections on the water. Multicolored laser effects will not only create a mystical atmosphere but also convey the theme of harmony between tradition and modernity.
Light beams will sketch the iconic brick kilns glowing against the night sky, while floating lanterns released on the river will symbolize hope, gratitude, and pride for Mang Thit’s traditional brick and ceramic craft.

4. Explosive Media Impact – Bringing Mang Thit to the World
This festival is not just a local event but an opportunity to showcase Mang Thit on a larger scale. Every corner of the stage, every captured moment from the festival will be a unique work of art – ready to “go viral” on social media. Images of sparkling lights, vibrant boats, and lively performances will make anyone yearn to visit Mang Thit.

5. Conclusion – A Journey of Heritage in a New Era
The 2024 Mang Thit Brick and Ceramic Festival is not just a cultural celebration but a powerful message about the resilience of heritage and the aspiration to rise in a modern age. Come to Mang Thit to experience the beauty of its rivers, its craft villages, and its genuine people. This is not just an opportunity to explore but also a chance for everyone to rediscover a part of their roots in every brick, every smile, and every melody echoing from the rivers.

Let’s join hands to promote Mang Thit – the cultural gem of the Mekong Delta – to proudly thrive on the cultural map of Vietnam and the world!

Nestled gracefully above tranquil waters, Maison de l’Eau embodies the harmonious blend of modern architecture and nature. Its unique curved design, crafted from warm wood, invites sunlight to dance through expansive windows, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding forest. This serene retreat not only provides a peaceful sanctuary but also celebrates sustainable living, encouraging a deep connection with the environment. Maison de l’Eau stands as a testament to the beauty of simplicity, where every curve and corner reflects the gentle flow of nature, creating a perfect balance between comfort and elegance.

Mine Art Gallery
Cam Pha coal mine was established by the French in 1886 under the name Société Française des Charbonnages du Tonkin during the reign of King Tu Duc. The mine’s stratigraphic structure descends into deep underground terraces, with coal seams gradually revealed in the light that pierces through the valley.
The jet-black hue of coal, intermingled with the reddish-brown of the earth and the arid dust suspended in the air, creates an abstract palette imbued with depth and intensity.
The project draws inspiration from the overlapping layers of coal seams, reimagined in reverse to symbolize the void left behind. Construction materials, sourced from coal itself, form layered bricks that replicate the natural striations of the seams. Space, materiality, and landscape converge to evoke the emotional and physical experiences of the miners.

Type
Gallery
Year
2016
Location
Cam Pha city
Team
Ho Viet Vinh
Mai Que Vu

Phu Doan Plaza, located at the Thua Thien Hue Provincial People’s Committee (also known as City Hall), is a vibrant and modern interpretation of Hue’s identity as an ancient capital. Today, the plaza serves as an inclusive outdoor hub of Hue’s cultural and social life, but this was not always the case.
Before its renovation, the plaza was an uninviting and inaccessible space, characterized by uneven terraces, hidden passageways, and neglected trees. The transformation elevated the park—both literally and symbolically—to match its prominent location at the foot of Hue City Hall.
The plaza now offers universal accessibility by leveling the entire site to meet the street, encouraging activity throughout the day. It features a spacious lawn, an interactive fountain, a café, and ample seating amid green groves of native plants such as Bombax ceiba (cây gạo), Borassus flabellifer (cây thốt nốt), Laurus nobilis (cây nguyệt quế), Cinnamomum camphora (cây long não). Built atop Hue City Center’s multi-modal transit hub, it acts as a gateway connecting all neighborhoods.
Covering 8,190 square meters, the plaza provides a welcoming, all-season destination for relaxation and public recreation.

Type
Landscape design
Year
2020
Location
Hue city, Vietnam
Team
Ho Viet Vinh
Ngo Hai Tan
Duong Thi Thanh Thanh
Nguyen Dinh Nhat Thu

Returning to the forest is like being immersed in pure silence. Each breeze caressing the skin penetrates deep into each cell to wake up the body after a long deep sleep. The breath slowly fills all the skin, making the whole body immersed in the sweetness of heaven and earth. Returning to that place is the way returning your true home.