“Happy Teachers will change the world.”

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh

The Zen garden embodies the essence of nature, situated within a coniferous forest, where it bathes in the morning sunlight and is immersed in the cool breeze of the nearby beach. Visitors move freely within its open space, unbound by fixed positions or traditional frames of reference.
Movement transcends notions of interior and exterior, high and low. Heaven and earth, plants, flowers, and humans merge into one harmonious whole, where every step resonates with the breath of the pure land.

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.

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.

For generations, the wood carving craftsmanship of Hue carpenters has been etched into history. Intricate embossed patterns on armrests, beams, arches, and panels reveal the profound artistry embedded within each wood grain.
The touch of the craftsman is incredibly refined. As the chisel glides along the wood grain to remove the excess, the shapes of phoenixes, flowers, and leaves emerge, filling the void with intricate beauty. The wooden panels are not merely decorative; the dual framing system creates overlapping layers, adding spatial depth and transforming physical boundaries into the perception of infinity.
These exquisite carvings have elevated Hue’s palaces, temples, pavilions, mausoleums, and traditional homes beyond mere material structures to the realm of emotional art. This mastery has earned them recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage.
The pride lies in the soul delicately carved by talented artisans from across the nation, each seeking to present their finest beauty to the Buddhas, Kings, and Ancestors.

Type
Garden house
Year
2012
Location
Thu Duc city
Team
Ho Viet Vinh
Duong Dinh Vinh

Trong ánh sáng mờ ảo của buổi chiều tà, màu xanh của cổ rêu trở nên lung linh hơn, như những viên ngọc bích nhỏ bé, lấp lánh giữa không gian yên tĩnh. Những đường vân của rêu, như những nét vẽ tinh tế của một họa sĩ tài hoa: tạo nên một bức tranh thiên nhiên sống động, đầy cảm hứng.
Mỗi không gian cổ rêu là một câu chuyện, một mảnh ghép của quá khứ, gợi nhớ về những ngày tháng vàng son của triều đại xưa. Đôi khi, một cơn gió nhẹ thổi qua, làm rêu lay động, như những dòng chữ cổ xưa đang thì thầm kể lại những bí mật của thời gian.
Cổ rêu tại Cố đô Huế không chỉ là một phần của cảnh quan, mà còn là biểu tượng của sự trường tồn, của vẻ đẹp giản dị nhưng sâu lắng, khiến lòng người không khỏi bồi hồi, xao xuyến mỗi khi bước ngang qua nó.

Kiến trúc sư Hồ Viết Vinh, Huế. 2025

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.

Maison de la Lune embodies a poetic interplay between architecture and nature, where the invisible space reflects upon the surface of existence. The fluid curves of the structure mirror the organic forms of the surrounding environment, creating a harmonious dialogue between the built and the natural. The expansive glass panels invite the outside in, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior. Light and shadow dance across the surfaces, evoking a sense of tranquility and introspection. This architectural masterpiece is a serene sanctuary, a place where the essence of nature is captured and reflected, offering a contemplative retreat from the chaos of the world.