Amid the chaos of modern life and urban development, where humans are in constant, fast motion, nature is an important element to remind ourselves of and return to. In this duo exhibition by Patricia vd Moreen and Devon Nguyen, we find ourselves stepping into another world filled with harmony between humanity and nature.
“Biophilia and Naturalis” features the most recent works by two unique artists. Works of oil paintings and ceramics call to mind living entities glowing in the darkened space and reveal the connection between humanity and nature. While Patricia’s works highlight the concept of Naturalism, Devon’s works speak for the concept of Bipholia, which emphasises the harmony between humans and nature.

To read the full article by Saigoneer, please click on this link.

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

HVV Recruitment:
In 2025, HVV is looking to recruit talented individuals for the following positions:

• 2 Urban Planners;
• 2 Landscape Architects;
• 2 Architects specialized in Architecture and Interior Design.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field for each position;
• 2–3 years of work experience;
• Proficiency in commonly used design software, such as ACAD, SU, Lumion, Rhino, 3Dmax,…;
• Skilled in one or more of the following areas: 3D and 2D concept visualization, design implementation, design management;
• A professional attitude, eagerness to learn, creativity, and integrity.

Join us in creating inspiring living spaces that reflect cultural identity!
At HVV, we are not just looking for talented architects but also seeking to collaborate with creative minds who are passionate about innovation and aspire to achieve timeless values. Let your talent bring meaningful projects to life and leave a lasting mark with us.
Contact:
HVV Architect and partners
Architect Ho Viet Vinh
Phone: +84 908 376 727
Email: [email protected]
Join us now to turn unique ideas into reality!

At 4:30 p.m. on February 28, the Trịnh Công Sơn Park in Gia Hội Ward, Huế City, will host a significant event—the unveiling of a bronze statue of Trịnh Công Sơn, sculpted by the late artist Trương Đình Quế (1939–2016). This bronze statue, weighing 500 kg, stands 170 cm tall, with a width of 230 cm and a depth of 160 cm. Its design exudes a sense of intimacy and familiarity.

The project is the culmination of years of dedication by Mr. Lê Hùng Mạnh from Gia Hòa Company in Ho Chi Minh City. The journey to place a statue in a public space was far from simple, but his passion for commemorating artists didn’t stop there—he dreams of creating similar tributes for other cultural icons, such as the poet Bùi Giáng.

The choice of Trương Đình Quế as the sculptor was deliberate. He was one of Vietnam’s most renowned visual artists, celebrated with numerous national and international accolades. Born in 1939, the same year as Trịnh Công Sơn, Quế graduated from the Gia Định College of Fine Arts in 1960—the very year Trịnh penned his first song, Ướt Mi. This synchronicity in their lives laid the foundation for a deep friendship rooted in a shared passion for art and music, allowing Quế to capture the essence of his lifelong friend with ease.

The statue took a year to complete at Giang Điền Waterfall in Đồng Nai. Reflecting on the creative process, Mr. Mạnh shared, “Trương Đình Quế and I agreed on how Trịnh should be depicted—as you now see him, leaning forward, as if gazing into a book, or perhaps into his own soul. Naturally, we couldn’t forget the ‘companion’ who stayed with him from ‘the day my mother bore me into this life of burden’ to ‘the noon field, where we met and vanished into the void’—his guitar.”

“The image of Trịnh bowing is intentional,” Mạnh explained, “and it aligns with his own lyrics: Cúi xuống. Cho tình dấy lên. Cho da thịt mềm. Cho cơn mặn nồng ngất lịm. Cúi xuống. Cho đời lãng quên. Cho mây trời chìm. Cho đêm mở hội âm thầm.

When designing the statue’s base, we collaborated with architect Hồ Viết Vinh, who envisioned it as an eye—650 cm long, 350 cm wide, and 55 cm high. This symbolic choice reflects Trịnh’s longing for human compassion: Những con mắt trần gian, Xin nguôi vết nhục nhằn. Những con mắt muộn phiền, Xin cấy lại niềm tin. Even when inspired by Bùi Giáng’s poetry, Trịnh expressed hope and tenderness: Con mắt còn lại nhẹ nhàng từ tâm. Nhìn em ra đi lòng em xa vắng. Con mắt còn lại là đêm tối tăm. Con mắt còn lại là đêm nồng nàn.

This collaboration between sculptor Trương Đình Quế and architect Hồ Viết Vinh embodies the essence of Trịnh Công Sơn’s music—where visual art and sound converge in a harmonious message of love and humanity.

Today, as we gather to unveil this statue on Trịnh Công Sơn’s birthday, it is more than a celebration—it is the realization of a dream. With hearts full of love for his music, Mr. Mạnh and his team gift this statue to the city of Huế as a gesture of gratitude.

“With this sincere endeavor,” Mr Lê Hùng Mạnh remarked, “we are grateful for the support from the Huế City authorities and the province of Thừa Thiên-Huế, who have made this possible. Today, as the statue of Trịnh Công Sơn stands in the park bearing his name, we believe it brings joy to millions across the country who remember him. And surely, our gifted musician and his dear friend, sculptor Trương Đình Quế, would be pleased. For in life, they shared many moments of artistic communion, exchanging ideas and toasting to the beauty of creation.”

See the original article at this link.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.