Tôi không nhớ chính xác lần đầu tiên mình xem Rêu không phải là rêu mà là nhân chứng của thời gian và nơi chốn tự bao giờ? Có lẽ đó là một buổi sáng sớm khi sương còn đọng trên những phiến đá bên bờ suối. Hoặc có thể là một buổi chiều mưa, khi những mảng rêu xanh mướt trải dài trên tường gạch cũ, như những vết tích của một thời đại đã ngủ quên.
Dù là lúc nào, Rêu vẫn luôn ở đó, lặng lẽ, trầm mặc, bám rễ vào thời gian theo cách riêng của nó.

Rêu không phải là cỏ cây, cũng không hoàn toàn là rong rêu trôi dạt theo dòng nước. Nó là một thực thể kỳ lạ, vừa nguyên sơ, vừa vĩnh cửu. Rêu không có rễ, nhưng lại bám chặt vào đá. Không có thân cành, nhưng lan rộng như một tấm thảm. Không có tiếng nói, nhưng lại kể những câu chuyện cổ xưa hơn bất cứ cuốn sách nào từng được viết ra.
Thế giới của Rêu là một vùng giao thoa giữa cái hữu hình và cái vô hình. Nếu nhìn từ xa, Rêu chỉ là một lớp xanh nhạt, một mảng màu lặng lẽ trên nền đá xám. Nhưng nếu cúi xuống thật gần, ta sẽ thấy một hệ sinh thái thu nhỏ, nơi những sợi tơ mềm mại vươn lên, đón lấy ánh sáng đầu ngày. Rêu không chỉ sống trong không gian – nó còn bám vào ký ức, len lỏi vào những vết nứt của thời gian.
Tôi gọi Rêu mang một diễn trình với tên gọi “biên niên sử”: một cuốn sách không cần giấy mực, nhưng lưu giữ được những gì đã qua. Một hạt rêu nhỏ bé có thể mang theo nó câu chuyện của hàng trăm năm. Nó lớn lên trên bề mặt những công trình cổ, trên đá núi, trên mái ngói, trên những phiến đường rêu phong của một thành phố cũ. Nó ghi lại dấu vết của từng cơn mưa, từng đợt nắng, từng trận gió mùa.
Và như thế, Rêu bước vào cuộc đời tôi như một chứng nhân lặng lẽ nhưng không thể nào lơ đãng. Cùng với Thời gian, Rêu tồn tại trong một vũ điệu chậm rãi, không màng đến sự hối hả của thế gian. Tôi trở thành người chứng kiến: không, đúng hơn là kẻ lang thang giữa những lớp ký ức thời gian mà Rêu lưu giữ, cố gắng hiểu những gì mà nó muốn nói.
Nhưng liệu Biên niên sử Rêu có thực sự là một câu chuyện thú vị? Hay chỉ là tôi đang cố gắng tìm kiếm ý nghĩa trong một thứ vốn dĩ vô ngôn?

Kiến trúc sư Hồ Viết Vinh, Huế 2025

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

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

Ho Viet Vinh

Hồ Viết Vinh 29.12.2024 (Commemorating the announcement of the resolution establishing Huế as a centrally governed city)

Legend, memory, and romance breathe life into the Ancient Capital of Huế.
Huế stands as one of the rare ancient capitals in urban history, crafted with emotion; it embodies unique human values and serves as a perfect bridge between humanity and the cosmos. As one wanders through its Imperial City, a poetic soul seems to linger, inviting reflection. Time flows slowly here, awakening seeds of love that draw us back to childhood memories. Every street corner, every road, and every structure is steeped in nostalgia and gently dusted by time. Each architectural masterpiece tells its own historical tale, weaving the legend of this Sacred Land. The poetic city of Huế manifests not only in its physical form but also in the mythical tales surrounding its river’s origins. Whether these stories bring joy or sorrow, they remain an integral part of us. The endless inspiration for love that creates this poetic city originates from the Perfume River and Ngự Bình Mountain. Cao Bá Quát once likened the Perfume River to: “A long river standing like a sword in the blue sky.”

Huế: A land of Legends, with its tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the Chăm community. From the Phú Diên Tower and Hòn Chén Temple to the Thành Lồi Citadel, these are remnants of the Champa Kingdom in Huế. The influence of Chăm aesthetics in music, architecture, sculpture, and cuisine is distinctly evident in Huế’s cultural treasures.

Huế: A land of Memory, continuing the legacy of the Tây Sơn and Nguyễn dynasties, both glorious and tragic. With nine Lords and thirteen Nguyễn emperors, it formed the land of Thuận Hoá over 720 years, contributing eight cultural heritages to the world.

Huế: A land of Romantic Wisdom. The great intellectuals of Vietnam in modern history were directly or indirectly influenced by the magnificent and splendid culture of Thuận Hoá-Phú Xuân.

Today, Huế has reclaimed its position as a unique cultural center of Vietnam and Asia, embodying the nation’s spirit of integration to enrich its treasury of wisdom and romance for enduring values. The journey is carried by the love for the homeland and the wisdom of the era, crafting a new visage worthy of history and the times. A message both affirming and reminding us not to forget, as playwright Đào Tấn expressed: “Together we drink the waters of the Perfume River, yet none comprehend its fragrant essence.”

On the evening of December 29, a ceremony was held at Ngo Mon Square in Hue City to announce the National Assembly’s resolution establishing Hue as a centrally governed city. Hue is now the sixth centrally governed city in Vietnam.

“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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Angel.
The powerful little angels are flying freely in the world of perfection. Each angel represents each characteristic of the ego, breaking free from bondage, being free and enjoying the triumphant moments of the long journey to eliminate the ego.

Ho Viet Vinh

Description
Exucuted in April 2020.
Style
Lyrical Abstract
Technique
Acrylic on Canvas
Dimension
60W x 80H x 2D cm

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

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.

The Dragon d’Annam is a place where the mountains and the sea come together, standing between the South and the North, the land is high, the mountains and rivers are surrounding. In waterways, there are Thuan An and Tu Hien the mouth of the sea bay,  which are deep and dangerous; by road, Hoanh Son and Hai Van gates are blocked; The great river opens  the front, the high mountain protects  the back, the adoration dragon and guard tiger, the place is solid, it is arranged by heaven and earth, it is truly the king’s capital.

Source: According to the national history of the Nguyen Dynasty

Description
Exucuted in April 2020
Style
Lyrical Abstract
Technique
Acrylic on Canvas
Dimension
97W x 130H x 4D 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 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.

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.