GLINT

The interplay of these hues, it conjures images of a visual symphony, each segment of the painting whispering a different melancholic melody or vibrant cheer. This piece truly captures the ineffable ‘glint’ of emotions.

Ho Viet Vinh

Vinhho Biography
Ho Viet Vinh is a Vietnamese architect who graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1995 from the University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where he received an award for creative design in his final year. He is a Registered Architect in Vietnam, a Registered Urban Planner in Ho Chi Minh City, and a member of the Association of Architects and Urban Planners of Vietnam.
Vinh’s career began in 1995 with participation in several design competitions in Ho Chi Minh City. That same year, he became a lecturer in the Urban Planning Department at the University of Architecture.
In 1998, he won second prize in the international competition organized by the Summer Workshop of Cergy-Pontoise, France, with the theme “Ho Chi Minh City and the Saigon River.”
In 2005, he was awarded a special prize in another international competition by the Summer Workshop of Cergy-Pontoise, France, for his project “Can Gio Emotional City.”
In 2010, he participated in the U.S. International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) focusing on Sustainable Urban Planning.
In 2015, Vinh was selected by the Lebadang Creative Foundation to design the Lebadang Memory Space Museum in Hue. During this time, he also became the Director of the Fund.

Ngẩng đầu nghe gió hát,
Tắm mát mạch nguồn khơi,
Chơi vơi miền êm ả,
Nghiêng ngã một đời không?

Ho Viet Vinh

Spiritual Sustainability as the Core Essence

For Architect Hồ Viết Vinh, a sustainable structure must encompass multiple dimensions: structural sustainability, environmental sustainability, aesthetic sustainability, and cultural sustainability. Yet, there is one essential, foundational element that underpins them all: spiritual sustainability. One of his upcoming and most cherished projects currently in development is the Trịnh Công Sơn Park in the ancient capital of Huế.

Guided by a philosophy of holistic sustainability, Hồ Viết Vinh has crafted unique architectural works such as Lebadang Memory Space and more recently, the Coral House in Hồ Tràm.

Could you share more about the milestones that have shaped your 25-year career?
I can summarize my more than 25 years of navigating this profession—full of challenges—into four stages: searching, understanding, contemplation, and practice.
The first stage took me around five years. I was seeking a way to survive in this field, with much effort but little clarity beyond earning a living.
The second stage arrived when I realized that architecture demands not only physical effort but also profound intellectual engagement.
The third stage was contemplation—reflecting on the distinct values that drive creativity. This was perhaps the most challenging period. It required me to relinquish things I had painstakingly gathered over time, clearing my mind to make space for the new.
Finally, the fourth stage is practice—not merely following thought processes, but letting intuition and wisdom guide my actions.

Your design philosophy seems inspired by Buddhist thought, correct?
Yes, indeed! The teacher who profoundly influenced my design philosophy is Thích Nhất Hạnh from Làng Mai (Plum Village), with his wisdom of interbeing (tương tức). According to Thích Nhất Hạnh, interbeing means: “If we understand that humans and nature are inseparable, we will know how to treat nature as we would treat ourselves—with care, gentleness, and love, free from violence. If we don’t want to harm ourselves, we should not harm nature, for harming nature is ultimately harming ourselves, and vice versa.”

How do you incorporate the concept of emptiness in your architectural works?
In essence, space is defined by emptiness. Without emptiness, there is no space. We must distinguish between the concepts of empty/full and open/closed. The former refers to spatial density, while the latter concerns the degree of openness to the external environment.
Emptiness is where dialogues unfold—between humans and nature, between individuals, and between oneself and the spiritual realm. It is a void that leads to infinite transformation and change.

What is your perspective on sustainable architecture? What, in your view, is the primary factor that defines sustainability?
When discussing sustainability, we must ask: sustainable in what sense? Is it structural, environmental, aesthetic, or cultural sustainability? Today, most conversations focus on environmental sustainability, as we face the brink of ecological destruction.
In my perspective, a truly sustainable structure must integrate all four aspects, with an additional core foundation: spiritual sustainability. This form of sustainability is rooted in an intuitive understanding of the fundamental truth of life on Earth—harmony, where all beings support one another to coexist.

“Architecture is a part of nature, and thus, it must harmonize with its surroundings. Light, wind, rain, storms, and even insects are all guests of the space.”

Is there a project that best embodies your design philosophy?
That would be the Lebadang Memory Space in Huế. This space is a harmonious blend of three elements: nature, form, and poetry. Nature includes the creations of the Earth—trees, flowers, rivers, skies, stones, humans, and animals. Form is defined by lines, shapes, colors, and materials that shape the space. Poetry is the soul that breathes life into it, creating a space that resonates with both the physical and the spiritual.

The thread that connects natural elements with the crafted form is poetry—a melody that flows from the primordial, carrying with it layers of cultural sediment, merging with the rhythm of life to shape the memory of time.

An Architect who has influenced you?
That would be Peter Zumthor, the renowned Swiss architect known for his famous quote:
“To design buildings that captivate the senses, architects must transcend the limits of form and structure.”

What experience do you consider most important for an architect like yourself?
Architecture came to me as destiny. Therefore, every experience carries its own value—there is no good or bad experience.
However, one pivotal experience stands out as a turning point in my creative journey. In 2005, I had the opportunity to participate in the 8th International Creative Competition organized by Les Ateliers Internationaux de Maitrise d’Oeuvre Urbaine Cergy Pontoise in France.
The competition brought together nearly 40 architects, urban planners, economists, managers, and environmental specialists from 17 countries. The theme was Ecological Tourism Urbanism in Cần Giờ (Can Gio entre ville ecologique et destination touristique).
Our project, titled “The City of Distinct Emotions” made a powerful impression on the jury and won the Special Award.

What is your perspective on materials in architecture? Are you experimenting with any specific materials?
Materials play a vital role in evoking aesthetic emotions within architectural spaces, alongside form and design language. Under the influence of light, these three elements harmonize to create the texture of space.
In my architectural designs, I place particular emphasis on exploring and incorporating local materials. These materials infuse spaces with the spirit of the place, giving them a unique identity and soul.

Could you share more about an upcoming project you are excited about?
A project I hold dear and that is currently being developed in Huế is the Trịnh Công Sơn Park.
Located at the confluence of three rivers, it rests against the Gia Hội Ancient Quarter, gazes upon the Hương River, and looks towards Ngự Bình Mountain as its front shield, with the Kim Phụng Range stretching across the landscape. This harmonious geographical setting provides the perfect foundation for the park in the heart of the ancient capital.
The park spans approximately 6.2 hectares and stretches nearly 1 kilometer along the lower reaches of Hương River, surrounded by water landscapes. Its structure is divided into two main sections: (1) The Space of “The Great Circle of Unity“ (20,000 m²); (2) The Musical Garden Space (42,000 m²).
The Great Circle of Unity is designed around the symbol of the Vietnamese Embrace, forming a double-layered circle representing the Fields of Vietnam. This concept draws inspiration from Trịnh Công Sơn’s musical longing for peace.
At its heart stands the statue of Trịnh Công Sơn, with a poised and serene posture, emerging from the landscape like a mountain standing tall. He becomes a symbol of the nation’s desire for unity, love for humanity, and a reflection on the human condition.
Every step into this space echoes with the uplifting and refreshing melodies of his music. It invites us to connect, hand in hand, forming a unified entity called Vietnam.
The Musical Garden Space, on the other hand, captures the lingering melodies of nature. Here, one can sense the gentle whispers of grass, flowers, birds, and the vibrant life that surrounds us—a symphony of nature’s tender serenade.

See the original article at the link.

Tuyên ngôn năm 2026 – “HVV Architect & Partners tin rằng kiến trúc không bắt đầu từ hình khối, mà bắt đầu từ bầu không khí.”

Một không gian chỉ thực sự có giá trị khi nó chạm đến ký ức, văn hoá và chiều sâu nội tâm của con người.”
Chúng tôi theo đuổi một con đường rõ ràng: chạm đến tính bản địa và cá nhân hoá cho từng chi tiết thiết kế để tạo nên sự hoà quyện giữa truyền thống và đương đại.

1. Kiến trúc là sự lắng nghe vùng đất

Mỗi công trình khởi đi từ địa tầng ký ức: khí hậu, ánh sáng, vật liệu, tập quán, nghề thủ công, nhịp sống.
Chúng tôi không sao chép truyền thống. Chúng tôi giải mã tinh thần của nó. Bản địa không phải là hình thức lặp lại, mà là sự tiếp nối của năng lượng nơi chốn trong một hình thái mới.

2. Cá nhân hoá là đạo đức thiết kế

Mỗi khách hàng là một thế giới riêng. Chúng tôi không tạo ra “mẫu nhà đẹp” lặp lại, mà kiến tạo những không gian phản chiếu cá tính, lối sống và khát vọng sống. Cá nhân hoá không dừng ở mặt bằng hay công năng, mà đi vào chi tiết vật liệu, ánh sáng, tỷ lệ, nhịp điệu không gian. Kiến trúc, vì thế, trở thành một chân dung sống.

3. Truyền thống và đương đại không đối lập

Chúng tôi không nhìn truyền thống như quá khứ, cũng không xem đương đại là sự đoạn tuyệt với quá khứ. Truyền thống là chiều sâu. Đương đại là nhịp thở. Khi hai dòng chảy ấy gặp nhau,một bầu không khí mới được sinh ra vừa quen thuộc, vừa khai mở.

4. Kiến trúc – Hội hoạ – Điêu khắc – Thi ca

HVV Architect & Partners vận hành trên bốn không gian:

• Không gian ở: Kiến trúc
• Không gian nhìn: Hội hoạ
• Không gian chạm: Điêu khắc
• Không gian trong tâm thức: Thi ca

Chúng tôi tin rằng một công trình chỉ hoàn chỉnh khi nó đồng thời chạm vào thân thể và tâm hồn.

5. Bản chất trước hiệu ứng

Chúng tôi không chạy theo hình ảnh gây ấn tượng tức thời. Chúng tôi đi tìm bản chất. Cái cơ bản nếu được thực hiện đến tận cùng sẽ tạo nên sự bền vững và sang trọng thực sự. Sự giản lược, khi đúng chỗ, chính là biểu hiện cao nhất của tinh tế.

6. Kiến trúc như một hành vi hiện sinh

Mỗi công trình là một tuyên ngôn sống. Mỗi dự án là một cuộc đối thoại giữa con người và thời đại.
Trong một thế giới ồn ào và đồng dạng, chúng tôi chọn con đường lặng lẽ nhưng sâu sắc: Kiến tạo những không gian có linh hồn.

HVV Architect & Partners theo đuổi tinh thần Kiến trúc thi ca (Poetry of Architecture): Chạm đến bản địa; Tôn vinh cá tính; Kiến tạo bầu không khí sống.

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.

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.

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.