Architecture and Fine Arts during the reign of Khai Dinh, a historical perspective - Ho Viet Vinh Architect & Partners

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 | Forest Station

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.

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.

Next project | Fish farm

Fish Farm, aerial view

Project
Fish Farm Village
Location
My Duc commue, Cang Long Dictrist, Tra Vinh Province, Vietnam
Area
14,8 hectares
Services
Masterplan, Architecture
Status
Under construction
Team
HVV Architect & Partners

Intro
The Fish Farm Village, Aquaculture Farm and Eco-Experience Resort is an ecologically-oriented aquaculture area integrated with tourism, offering eco-experiential living connected to cultivation zones and linked with surrounding eco-tourism destinations. It creates a unique, meaningful, and captivating agricultural and experiential tourism landscape along Co Chien River.

Fish Farm Village is located in My Duc Commune, Cang Long District, Tra Vinh Province. It is 14,5 km away from Cang Long Town.

Master plan
The resort harmoniously blends humanity with nature, where service spaces are seamlessly integrated into a lush, green ecosystem. Like a hidden village nestled beneath the canopy, it floats serenely on the lake, preserving the pristine beauty of the natural terrain while protecting and nurturing the riverside ecosystem.
The Cork Village Villa stands out as a unique highlight, resembling a floating village on the lake. Its gentle, fishbone-like layout positions each villa to quietly embrace endless views of the legendary Co Chien River.
Here, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the rhythm of nature and the local community. Stroll through fragrant pineapple fields, lose yourself amidst rows of vibrant vegetables, or glide across the water to catch fresh fish straight from the lake. This is more than just a place to rest—it is an invitation to forge a heartfelt connection with the essence of the homeland.

Fish Farm, master plan
Entrance
Cork tree Dock
Cork Tree Village
Cork Tree Village
Tree Canopy walkway
Boardwalk over the lake
Avian Viewing Spot


Next project | Shadowy

Shadowy
Vinhho, Acrylic on canvas, 130x97cm, Maison de Corail, 2024

“The interplay of dark and light hues conjures a spectral dance of shadows, evoking the elusive nature of the intangible, whispers of the hidden dimensions that lie beneath the surface, suggesting an eternal struggle between presence and absence.”

Ho Viet Vinh

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 | Naked Garden

A symphony of earth and water that whispers of hidden desires. This enchanting scene blurs the line between reality and illusion, inviting the viewer into a realm of sublime beauty. The interplay of light and shadow evokes a sense of eternal mystery, reflecting the poet’s fascination with the ephemeral and the divine. It is a mesmerizing vision of a garden stripped bare, revealing the seductive essence of nature’s true form.

Naked Garden
HVV Architect & Partners with AI supported

Next project | IMMENSE

IMMENSE

Its simplicity and complexity, serves as a portal to the immeasurable – seducing the viewer into the depths of the infinitesimal and the expanse of the limitless. Such a piece transcends its medium, embodying the essence of “Immense” through the poetic interplay of light and shadow, color and form.

Ho Viet Vinh

Next project | lại

Forest
Watercolor, 2020, by Vinhho

Lại
Lại rằng có nghĩa là không,
Thì không không có có không cớ gì,
Lại vì không chẳng vô vi,
Đang đi có biết chưa đi nghĩ gì,
Lại thì chẳng có chi chi,
Một khi tâm vắng đường đi ấy là.

Again
Again means naught and all,
For naught is not without reason’s call,
Again for nothing, not idly free,
In stride, yet pondering what thoughts might be,
Again, there’s nothing at all,
When the mind is still, the path stands tall.

Next project | Container Resort

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.

Buddha Hill
Master Bedroom

Next project | Lake Community Park

Lake Community Park is situated at the heart of the Huong Thuy new urban area, approximately 13.5 km southeast of Hue city center. The Park is conveniently located near Phu Bai Airport and the North-South railway line, just 3.5 km from Huong Thuy station, offering easy access for tourists traveling to and from the area.

Lake Community Park is built upon five core values:

  1. Green Lung: The park features over 23% water surface area and over 16% natural coverage.
  2. Central Location: Strategically positioned to connect neighboring areas and Hue city center.
  3. Transport Hubs (TOD): Integrated with national highways, railways, and aviation systems.
  4. Balanced Spaces: Harmonizing ecological, agricultural, and eco-residential areas.
  5. Enhanced Land Use Value: Diversifying functions based on ecological footprints to maximize value.
Lake Community PARK is located in the center of Huong Thuy new urban area, about 13.5 km southeast of Hue city center; The project is located adjacent to Phu Bai airport, North-South railway line (about 3.5km from Huong Thuy station), convenient to connect tourists from to the area.

Next project | MANG THIT RED CERAMIC BRICKS FESTIVAL 2024

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.

Floating stage

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.

Dynamic living scenes – when riverside life becomes Art

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.

Lighting – A language of timeless emotion

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.

Every corner of the stage, every captured moment from the festival will be a unique work of art.

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.

Mang Thit river
Brilliant at night and vibrant during the day.

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!