Phu Doan Plaza, located at the Thua Thien Hue Provincial People’s Committee (also known as City Hall), is a vibrant and modern interpretation of Hue’s identity as an ancient capital. Today, the plaza serves as an inclusive outdoor hub of Hue’s cultural and social life, but this was not always the case.
Before its renovation, the plaza was an uninviting and inaccessible space, characterized by uneven terraces, hidden passageways, and neglected trees. The transformation elevated the park—both literally and symbolically—to match its prominent location at the foot of Hue City Hall.
The plaza now offers universal accessibility by leveling the entire site to meet the street, encouraging activity throughout the day. It features a spacious lawn, an interactive fountain, a café, and ample seating amid green groves of native plants such as Bombax ceiba (cây gạo), Borassus flabellifer (cây thốt nốt), Laurus nobilis (cây nguyệt quế), Cinnamomum camphora (cây long não). Built atop Hue City Center’s multi-modal transit hub, it acts as a gateway connecting all neighborhoods.
Covering 8,190 square meters, the plaza provides a welcoming, all-season destination for relaxation and public recreation.

Type
Landscape design
Year
2020
Location
Hue city, Vietnam
Team
Ho Viet Vinh
Ngo Hai Tan
Duong Thi Thanh Thanh
Nguyen Dinh Nhat Thu

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.

“The beauty of the four seasons helped him heal his mind and heart from the wounds of war. The peaceful and wholesome atmosphere of the campus helped him have many deep insights, flowers, and fruits of the practice. Perhaps that is why Thay always remind us that nature can help us heal ourselves.”

Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh – [At home in the World]

Location:
Tan Binh commune, Nhu Xuan District, Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam
Size:
1,53 hectares
Services:
Master plan, Architecture and Interior design
Status:
Approved Master plan at scale 1/500, 2024
Under construction.
Team:
HVV Architect & Partners

Intro

As our society advances and technology continues to evolve, our quality of life has seen remarkable improvements. Yet, the desire for relaxation, tranquility, and a deeper connection with oneself has become a fundamental part of our daily existence. This need is increasingly pressing, given the rising prevalence of mental health challenges like stress and anxiety.
The relentless pace of modern life, combined with the pressures of work, often leads to heightened stress, anxiety, and various mental health concerns. Taking a moment to pause and breathe can offer us a valuable chance to reconnect with nature and reflect on ourselves. Nature holds a profound healing power: when our minds are no longer disrupted by the constant noise of traffic, when our emotions are no longer constrained by concrete jungles, and when we can breathe clean, unpolluted air, we experience true inner peace. Immersed in nature, we rediscover the serenity that lies within our souls.
Thus, creating a meditation retreat that harmonizes with nature is essential. This sanctuary will offer a tranquil haven where individuals can find solace, cultivate mindfulness, practice meditation, heal their souls, and share positive values with the world.

Site location

Tue Giac Zen Monastery is located northwest of Song Muc Lake – in Ben En National Park, Tan Binh Commune, Nhu Xuan District, Thanh Hoa Province; The distance from this area to Tho Xuan airport is about 143374ft along National route 15.

The planned research area features a convergence of hillside topographical elements, with valleys and lakes nestled below. It is a location that boasts pristine natural landscapes. Furthermore, the terrain’s structure and geomorphology provide many sites with expansive, diverse, and breathtaking views.

Design principles

Master plan

To create a space for returning, studying, and practicing the teachings of Buddhism, cultivating virtue, and enhancing moral awareness. A place that offers a harmonious environment with nature, where individuals can engage in meditation, seek enlightenment, and liberate themselves from the afflictions and suffering of life.

The architectural layout harmonizes seamlessly with the natural terrain, incorporating a variety of structures within distinct spaces to create visual appeal. The pagoda, meditation hall, main hall, guest house, and dining hall are arranged in a descending terraced formation. The design employs overlapping and rhythmic elements, offering dynamic perspectives from different viewpoints and highlighting the surrounding natural beauty of the mountains, lakes, and cliffs. The architecture, landscape, and on-site activities are interwoven in a cohesive and fluid manner.

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

Capturing The Movements Of The Heart: The ‘In Motion’ Exhibition By Ho Viet Vinh

Architect Hồ Viết Vinh presents a new and relatable artistic experience to the youth of Saigon, blending abstraction with familiarity.

Once upon a time, three monks observed a flag waving in the breeze and engaged in a debate. The first monk remarked, “The flag is moving.” The second countered, “The flag itself cannot move; the wind is moving.” The third monk posited, “Both the wind and the flag move in harmony.” A fourth monk, passing by, declared, “Neither the wind nor the flag truly moves; it’s our perceptions that shift.”
As I explored Hồ Viết Vinh’s “In Motion” exhibition, I felt a mix of emotions and thoughts. Each artwork was filled with different colors and hinted at movement, even though they were still pictures.
Every painting by Hồ Viết Vinh is a visual delight. While his intent might have been to capture the essence of motion in nature, he achieved something profound: a reflection on the inner movements of our souls.

Walking Amidst the Colors

I visited the exhibition on a Sunday afternoon in the vibrant and spacious Audi Charging Lounge. The first thing that struck me was the ingenious arrangement of paintings interspersed within the existing layout of the Audi Charging Lounge – primarily a venue to display and charge vehicles.

In front of the art display area stood an Audi car, embodying the spirit that Architect Hồ Viết Vinh captured in his paintings: the relentless transition of all things. This particular notion resonates with the theme of “art in motion” – the fusion of art and movement, the convergence of paintings and cars, as the artist shared during his talk at the exhibit.
Eighteen paintings were showcased in the space. Some were mounted on walls, while others seemed to “fall” from the ceiling, unexpectedly appearing before the viewers, illustrating the serene shifts of nature.
Among these “falling” artworks, clusters of three or four paintings merged. The movement of these pieces wasn’t merely vertical from the ceiling downwards but also spanned horizontally, unfolding right before the viewers. Additionally, these “falling” artworks leaned against one another, forming pairs that seemed to hover in the air.

Beyond these elements, there appeared to be no specific intent in the sequential arrangement of the paintings, whether front to back or outer to inner. True to what Architect Hồ Viết Vinh mentioned in his interview with Vietcetera: “Relax, let your guard down, and take your time with details that captivate you. If none do, it’s alright to move on.”

Experiencing Art Beyond Just Sight

The first time I saw these paintings, it was a delightful and captivating confusion, and I think many young people who aren’t familiar with art felt the same way.
Almost all the artworks did not depict any tangible objects. Viewers might struggle to grasp solid subjects or sharp features if they cling to traditional aesthetic experiences such as realism or the expectation that every object must be explicitly depicted.
To truly appreciate Hồ Viết Vinh’s art, one needs to feel it in ways beyond just sight. In front of certain paintings, after meticulously following every brush stroke, I had to close my eyes to visualize and organize my perceptions. The essence of understanding his art lies in engaging multiple senses and individual experiences.
What really caught my eye in his artwork was how he played with colors. Some colors smoothly flowed into each other, while others looked intentionally uneven, giving the impression of swirling winds and twisting waves.

The painting that struck me the most, “Untitled 18,” seemed to involve not just paint but also wood – or what seemed like wood. I say this because the canvas isn’t truly flat: upon close observation, you can discern the coarse wooden texture emerging from it. To me, this painting exploits light and material to play with the viewer’s perception.
From a distance, it feels as if you’re looking down a long corridor illuminated by a sidelight, with the soft yellow glow of a house at the end. However, as you draw nearer and notice the rough surface, the perception of depth fades, and the corridor seems to vanish, leaving behind intertwined hazy squares.

The Untitled: Letting the Work Speak for Itself

On the day of my visit to the exhibition, architect Hồ Viết Vinh had a sharing session with the media and attendees. He talked about his artistic endeavors, the confluence of architecture and fine arts, the motivations behind the exhibition, and his insights into his creations.
The highlight of this sharing was his revelations about drawing inspiration from nature and the artistic ethos he adopted. Hồ Viết Vinh expressed a deep resonance with the artworks of Caspar David Friedrich, the emblematic painter from the Romantic era.
Vinh’s pieces echo the evocative style and liberality of nature portrayed in Caspar David Friedrich’s paintings. He saw harmony in Friedrich’s illustrations, emphasizing humanity’s humble stance against the overwhelming majesty of nature.
This sentiment is palpable in Vinh’s “Untitled 5” – a portrayal of the ocean that captures human awe and humility before nature’s magnificence, reminiscent of Friedrich’s “Wanderer above the Sea of Fog.”

He also shared the reason why all the paintings are untitled. He didn’t want them to be confined to a predetermined meaning, aiming instead for viewers to find both familiarity and uniqueness in their interpretations. I find this approach intriguing.
Indeed, it’s always insightful to admire a painting and then hear the artist’s thoughts on it, understanding the emotions and intentions behind the colors and strokes. Yet, I often found that my interpretations didn’t fully align with his explanations.
While observing his work and listening to his insights, I began to grasp his artistic intentions. But still, I found myself resonating with emotions that he might not have anticipated.
This disparity might be the essence of art: it’s not about uniformity but about individual interpretations, as long as there’s mutual respect. This seemed to be the core of the discussion: listening, understanding, and appreciating the diversity of perspectives on art, life, and nature.

From 1^st to 10^th September 2023, the ‘In Motion’ art exhibition was held at Audi Charging Lounge, 6B Tôn Đức Thắng. Jointly organized by Lotus Gallery and Audi Vietnam, it was supported by Vietcetera, Saigon Cider, and Cara Lighting, drawing over 2,000 attendees.
The artworks remain displayed at Lotus Gallery (1^st floor, Cspace Center, 12-13 N1 street, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City) until 24^th September 2023, as part of ‘Olfactory Odyssey – Beyond Perfume,’ blending visual arts with fragrance artistry.

The original article is of Vietcetera via the link.

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.

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.