RETREAT HOME, Ben Tre city, Vietnam - Ho Viet Vinh Architect & Partners
Retreat home, nestled quietly under the canopy of the coconut forest.

Nestled quietly under the canopy of the coconut forest swaying in the gentle breeze, the simple house comes into existence thanks to the reflections of the dawn sunlight. The house has a simple modern look, inheriting the shape of a traditional house with 3 compartments and 2 wings, with a large veranda surrounding it. The veranda is a transitional space and acts as a climate regulator for the whole house. Not only that, but it is also a place where countless activities connect people with the surrounding open space. The rooms all open to the garden and the doorways pull the garden into its deepest recesses. The nuanced transitions of time and space also take place in the cut of this patio.

The house has a simple modern look, inheriting the shape of a traditional house with 3 compartments and 2 wings, with a large veranda surrounding it.
The nuanced transitions of time and space also take place in the cut of this patio.

Next project | SPARKLE

“Whispers of ephemeral beauty, a tranquil moment captured in the chaos of existence. Shades of yellow and brown morph together, cradling hints of white and red, embodying the fleeting glimmer of life. Amidst this tumultuous beauty, the painting proposes a reflection on the essence of “sparkle” – not as mere glitz, but as a profound glitter of existence, intricate dance of light and shadow, beauty and decay.”

Ho Viet Vinh

(Sparkle, Acrylic on canvas, 130x97cm, Maison d’Art 2024)

Next project | CAN GIO EMOTIONAL CITY

Can Gio Clam beach panorama-Photo by Vinhho

The aim is to improve the links between Can Gio and other provinces such as Vung Tau. As the city of Ho Chi Minh gets bigger, more and more infrastructures are needed and the ecology of Can Gio could get damaged. A special emphasis is put on developing the links with nearby beach resort of Vung Tau. First, through a network of speedboats and later with the construction of a tunnel under the sea. While the Jury found the tunnel proposal to be highly arguable, they do acknowledge that the previous approved masterplan does not make enough provision for improving these links. Team 4 made those links a central objective.

Can Gio Master Plan

Another axis of development displayed by the team is the diversification of tourism activities. These could include walks or boat trips through the mangrove but also farms visits, beach activities and visits to nearby provinces made easily accessible with the new links. A project of reclaiming land to create two artificial islands just off the coast at the eastern and western end was also put forward by the team. These islands would host diverse tourism activities.

These objectives will not be met unless the infrastructure is improved. A system of speed transportation needs to be implemented. It should respect the environment and limit the pollution and it will bring Can Gio closer to nearby development areas. Fresh water needs to be supplied for citizens and tourists. A water collection and recycling system should be used to make better use of a precious resource and to avoid pollution of the water. Construction of eco houses will counter-balance the development of infrastructure. All other means of transport will also be environmentally friendly.

The project aims at enhancing the quality of life of the inhabitants of Can Gio. This will be achieved by retaining the activities of farming, and along the beach and by upgrading them. Locals will be encouraged to join the services, trade and production activities in order to serve the needs of tourism. Local traditional activities will be increased so people who live in the forest or on the beach or river can share their way of life. Many public spaces and associated activities of leisure and entertainment will be created.

The south of Can Gio along the beach will be developed and will pay particular attention to maintain links from the forest to the sea. There will be 6 types of links: an agricultural production axis, a commercial axis, a festival axis, a handicraft village axis, a traditional market axis and a public space axis.

The ultimate goal of this proposal is to enhance people’s senses and emotion, thus creating an ‘emotional city’. Visitors and locals alike will be able to listen to the sound of the forest and to the sound of the beach They will enjoy spectacular views of the sea and of the forest. They will swim and touch the waves or touch the forest. They can smell the air of the sea and discover the complex fragrances of the mangrove. They can taste the local production of seafood from the river or from the sea. Their emotions will be enhanced by the history, the culture and the tradition of Can Gio.

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, being composed of Vietnamese professionals only, Leader by Architect Ho Viet Vinh, had very strong insights about the future of Can Gio. It set itself a number of objectives to be achieved through the development of Can Gio. These included the protection of the mangrove, including both the core and transition area, to make full use of the local production activities and to develop them, to protect the water from pollution from the Saigon-Dong Nai river and from the sea.

Team 4 was awarded a special mention by the Workshops of Cergy- Pontoise.

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 | DANCE of LIGHT

The “Dance of light” stirring a feeling of motion and vitality. This interplay between brilliance and obscurity crafts an enigmatic allure, coaxing the observer to explore the depths of light.

Ho Viet Vinh

(Vinhho, Acrylic on canvas, 130x97cm, Maison de Corail.2024)

Next project | Talkshow SẮC MƯA

Có nơi nào trong ta chưa hề có mưa! Mưa là một cái cớ để yêu nhau, để nhìn về những hoài niệm và cảm xúc. Talkshow Sắc mưa là giọt cảm xúc rơi vào chính bản thân, để gột rửa, để dẫn lối ta chầm chậm cảm nhận cuộc sống. Thông qua chia sẻ của các diễn giả với góc nhìn kiến trúc, văn thơ, nhạc và họa. Để nhìn ngắm một “chiếc tôi” đáng yêu thông qua tọa đàm này, ta cho mình một trải nghiệm mới, một cảm nhận tâm tính của mưa, và đôi khi là của chính mình…

Ngày 11/5/2024 vừa qua, chuỗi toạ đàm Color & More được thực hiện bởi nhóm Color & More, ấn phẩm KT&ĐS và công ty Paint & More đã mở đầu với chủ đề “Sắc mưa” diễn ra tại OneCoat Studio 458A Điện Biên Phủ, phường 17, quận Bình Thạnh, TP.HCM. Các diễn giả tham gia gồm PGS. TS. KTS. Nguyên Hạnh Nguyên, Bác sĩ CKII Đặng Bảo Ngọc, KTS Hồ Viết Vinh và họa sĩ Việt Anh.

Mời xem Talkshow Sắc mưa qua các nội dung bên dưới:

Talkshow #1: Sắc Mưa (phần 1) – Thơ văn
Talkshow #1: Sắc Mưa (phần 2) – Hội hoạ
Talkshow #1: Sắc Mưa (phần 3) – Kiến trúc
Talkshow #1: Sắc Mưa (phần 4) – Âm nhạc

Next project | CLOUD

Solid and rough are the emotions of BAOLOC. Spatial topography consists of interlaced hills, layers hidden under layers of cold pine forests. In that autumn silence, the clouds are the witch who transforms to soften the rough, dry and cold.

C L O U D

Solid and rough are the emotions of BAOLOC. Spatial topography consists of interlaced hills, layers hidden under layers of cold pine forests. In that autumn silence, the clouds are the witch who transforms to soften the rough, dry and cold.

CLOUD
 
“Following the wind, the stream flows in all directions,
 
The foggy road is dotted with flying dew drops.
 
Love is drunk at night in dreams,
 
Filled with the call of the human realm.”
  
Vinhho.2022

Next project | RED KINGDOM – Masterplan of Brickyard village at Mang Thit, Mang Thit District, Vinh Long province

“This is a project to preserve and develop the Mang Thit traditional brick and masonry heritage area, combining production space and water landscape. This area is planned into a contemporary product with different functional layers: preserving ceramic tile craft villages, expanding living space along the river and recreating the unique river landscape of the South. The multi-level dike approach helps maintain riverside living space, supports ceramic production and also develops eco-tourism, turning the area into a cultural and experiential destination for visitors.”

HVV Architect & Partners

Client:
Board of Civil and Industrial Construction Project Management – Vinh Long province People’ s Committee
Location:
Mang Thit dictrist, Vinh Long province, Vietnam
Size:
3.060 hectares
Services:
Masterplan
Status:
Approved on 2024
Team:
HVV Architect & Partners –  Urban Planning Institute

Intro

Mang Thit District, Vinh Long Province, is one of the few remaining localities in Vietnam that preserves a unique and extensive architectural complex alongside a traditional craft. This architectural ensemble comprises nearly 1,000 domed kilns, spanning over 3,060 hectares along the banks of the Thay Cai, Hoa My, Cai Nhum canals, forming a southern arc that extends to the Nhon Phu and Hoa Tinh canals within the district. This is truly a valuable treasure, shaped by over a century of cultural and technological exchange between Khmer, Kinh, and Hoa people, resulting in a distinctive architectural heritage and traditional craft. However, this treasure has not been fully recognized or appreciated.
Over the past decade, more than 1,000 kilns have been demolished, and the remaining kilns are deteriorating and face the imminent threat of complete destruction. Given this alarming situation, it is imperative and urgent to conduct research and develop solutions to preserve and promote this architectural complex and traditional craft.

Learning from the Past and Looking to the Future:

Over 100 years of formation and development, the structure of the craft village ecological system have established with 6 main space, including: surface water, brickyard system, yards, storage, fruite garden and house, fields.

The system of canals and land has formed a distinctive, easily recognizable landscape. Rivers and canals flowing from Co Chien River along Thay Cai canal, going deep into agricultural areas, have determined the main landscape axes; Residents live along the canals, inside are fruit and vegetable gardens, and deeper are fields and aquaculture areas. The ecosystem associated with the brick kiln area has created a closed process in the production of Mang Thit red ceramic. This is a characteristic and value that needs to be preserved and promoted.

Adaptive conservation in continued development

Adaptive conservation in continued development – preserving the existence of production space heritage, symbiotic ecological space, and Southern garden development cultural heritage; These valuable materials and spiritual values ​​have been perfected during the development process, providing a contemporary breath and improving the quality of each space, gradually improving the quality of life of local people, so that their politics will gradually transform, reviving the soul of the place.
The heritage of Mang Thit – known as The Red Kingdom will be an interesting destination in Mekong Delta and should not be missed in your lifetime.

Zonning plan

The area is divided into 9 main zones according to 3 layers.

No.1. Mixed-Use Development (Services – Tourism – Rural Residential): Approximately 347.91 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, mixed-use development (tourism services – rural residential), mixed-use development (services – urban residential), public services, public utility green spaces, specialized green spaces, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.2. Mixed-Use Development (Services – Urban Residential) along Co Chien River: Approximately 250.05 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, mixed-use development (services – urban residential), public services, public utility green spaces, specialized green spaces, heritage and religious sites, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.3.  My An – Hoa My Residential Area: Approximately 415.50 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, mixed-use development (services – urban residential), public services, public utility green spaces, specialized green spaces, heritage and religious sites, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.4. Cai Nhum Eco-Residential Area: Approximately 150.31 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, public services, public utility green spaces, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.5. My Phuoc Eco-Resort: Approximately 106.43 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, public services, public utility green spaces, tourism development, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.6.  My Phuoc Eco-Residential Area: Approximately 253.76 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, public services, public utility green spaces, specialized green spaces, heritage and religious sites, offices, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.7. Nhon Phu Eco-Residential Area: Approximately 309.78 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, public services, public utility green spaces, heritage and religious sites, offices, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.8. Hoa Tinh Eco-Resort: Approximately 198.23 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, mixed-use development (services – urban residential), public services, public utility green spaces, heritage and religious sites, offices, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.9. High-Tech Agriculture Area: Approximately 1,028.03 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, public utility green spaces, tourism development, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

Master plan

The plan identifies 3 main development axes including:

  • Mang Thit brick and ceramic kiln space at the center combined with service corridor along Co Chien river, agricultural experience corridor – traditional garden village along Cai Nhum river, high-end resort tourism corridor in the South;
  • Mixed service axis – contemporary residential area in the Southern region of the West;
  • The Eastern resort tourism axis will create motivation for development of the entire region.

The resort spaces around heritage area (My Phuoc eco resort, My Phuoc Eco-Residential area, Nhon Phu Eco-Residential Area, Hoa Tinh Eco-Resort) offer a variety of ecological, cultural and agricultural production experiences, taking the ceramic brick kiln area as inspiration for creativity.

Oriented masterplan development diagram to 2045

With 5 gateways – 5 landscape architectural spaces typical of the Southern rivers and the ceramic brick kiln area, it will be an unforgettable, impressive identification point when visitors approach the ceramic brick kiln area by both Water transport and road transport.

The landscape of the welcome gate, orchard and ceramic tiles combined with the riverside landscape follows a multi-level soft embankment model, providing many different experience spaces for visitors to explore the traditional Tile and Ceramic Craft Village along the Co Chien River.
The new residential community landscape is associated with the internal canal system. The riverside spaces are shaped by multi-level soft embankments creating different functions and landscape nuances according to the flooding season.
Landscape on both sides of Thay Cai canal, the core conservation area of ​​the ceramic craft village with a system of multi-storey soft embankments and alternating hard stepped embankments combined with a boat wharf and ceramic tile service space organized along the river. Support the transition process, while developing ecotourism, turning this area into a cultural and experiential destination for tourists.

Conclusion

This is a project to preserve and develop the Mang Thit traditional brick and masonry heritage area, combining production space and water landscape. This area is planned into a contemporary product with different functional layers: preserving ceramic tile craft villages, expanding living space along the river and recreating the unique river landscape of the South. The multi-level dike and heritage landscape approach helps maintain riverside living space, supports ceramic production and also develops eco-tourism, turning the area into a cultural and experiential destination for visitors.

Next project | SONNET

Evoking the tranquil undulations of the river a symphonic concerto of colors whispering the poetics of the natural world. The geometric shapes, with their curves and angles, juxtapose the organic with the mathematical, creating a visual sonnet that blurs the lines between the ephemeral and the eternal.

Ho Viet Vinh
Sonnet
Acrylic on canvas, 130 x 97cm, Maison d’Art, 2024

Next project | Majestic Hotel Renovation

Established by Hui-Bon-Hoa company (the owner was a Chinese-Vietnamese called Uncle Hoa).Situated right on the corner of Catinat Street (now Dong Khoi Street) and Quai de Belgique Street (now Ton Duc Thang Street). Carrying the then favorite baroque architecture style, the hotel became one of the most elegant and impressive buildings in Saigon after it was finished in 1925. Majestic had three stories and 44 bedrooms, according to a French architect’s original design.In 1948, the Indochina Tourism & Exhibition Department directed by French man Franchini Mathieu bought the ground and first floors of the hotel and rented 44 rooms in 30 years. The hotel was ranked five stars in 2007. Work on two new towers of the hotel on Nguyen Hue Street started in July 2011 to add 353 new rooms. Through a long time of using the space and modern equipment have distorted the value of the building. The task of designing and renovating is to create luxury and recall the feelings of the famous Indochinese architecture once in ancien Saigon.

Next project | Forest rain

Forest rain


Streams of water flowed horizontally like a loom, drawing horizontal lines across the sky. The thick fog hides a forest in the dark night.


“Water jets are arranged vertically and horizontally,

Engraving a painting.”

Ho Viet Vinh.2020

Description

Exucuted in April 2020.

Styles

Lyrical Abstract

Technique

Acrylic on Canvas

Dimensions

97 Wx 130  H x 4 D cm

The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by the HVV Architect &Partners. A certificate of authenticity maybe delivered by the Company upon request to the buyer.

Vinhho Biography

Ho Viet Vinh, a Vietnamese, graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1995 from the University of Architecture of Ho Chi Minh city, Viet Nam; he received the award for the creative design in the Final Year. He is a Registered Architect in Viet Nam and also a Registered Urban Planner in Ho Chi Minh city, as well as a Member of Association of Architects and Urban planners of Viet Nam. Ho Viet Vinh career began in 1995 when he did some competitions in Ho Chi Minh city. He becomes lecturer of Urban planning Department of University of Architecture in 1995. In 1998 He received second prize of international competition held by Summer workshop of Cergy Pontoise-France with subject “Ho Chi Minh city and Saigon river”. In 2005 He awarded special prize of international competition held by Summer workshop of Cergy Pontoise-France with subject “Can Gio Emotional city”. In 2010 he participated the International Visistor Leadership Program of USA in subject Sustainable Urban Planning. In 2015 He is choosen by Lebadang Creative Foundation to design the Lebadang Memory Space Museum in Hue.  It was at this time that He becomes Director of that Fund.