The program “Unlimited Connections – Building a City of Light” broadcast on HTV9 provides a comprehensive perspective on the role of lighting in shaping modern and sustainable urban areas.

The story of Saigon’s light—an essential element of life and culture—has been shaped by its tropical climate and a distinctive “nightlife” culture since the city’s earliest days. Lighting not only ensures the safety of living and working spaces but also contributes to the aesthetics and prominence of modern urban architecture. However, uncontrolled use of lighting can lead to energy waste and environmental pollution. The program emphasizes the importance of smart lighting that is appropriate, sufficient, and aesthetically pleasing while minimizing light pollution, aiming to enhance overall visual harmony with the surrounding space. Building a city of light that is exemplary, harmonious, and rich in identity is a collective effort—to make the city brighter, more beautiful, and increasingly civilized.

Urban lighting is not merely about beautification; it also fosters a sense of comfort and relaxation, drawing residents into the city’s nighttime activities, thereby making the urban environment more vibrant and dynamic.

Architect Hồ Viết Vinh

We invite you to watch the program to explore the role of lighting in building smart, modern, and sustainable cities.

“Light is the soul of urban architecture, symbolizing the development of Ho Chi Minh City.”

Next project | Desire

“A silent ode to the beauty of existence, portraying the sublime interplay of light and shadow that dances within the human soul. It is an invitation to wander through the corridors of one’s own soul, amidst the rain of introspection and the elusive sunsets of desires.”

Ho Viet Vinh
Desire
Acrylic on canvas, 97x130cm, Maison de Corail, 2024

Next project | Nostalgia

“The gentle interplay of light and shadow dances across the room, reminiscent of a fading memory. Each element, from the plush seating to the artful arrangement of books, whispers stories of bygone days. The warmth of wood and fabric envelops the senses, creating a cocoon of comfort and reflection. This harmonious blend of textures and hues captures the essence of nostalgia, a poetic journey through time, where beauty and melancholy coexist in a delicate balance.”

(HVV Archirect & Partners with AI supported)

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 | ngẫm

Bóng thâm sâu in hình hài thế kỷ,
Vượt thời gian kể chuyện vẻ huy hoàng,
Soi nắng để hao mòn năm tháng cũ,
Chợt sương tan hoá hiện cõi vô thường.

HoVietVinh 19.02.2025

Next project | HAPPY TEACHER’S DAY 2024

Happy Teachers will change the world.”

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
Happy Teacher”s Day 2024

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 | Phu Doan Plaza

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.

Phu Doan Plaza in existing condition
Performing art in front of Hue City Hall
Art Light Performing at night
Outdoor Ampitheatre in front of Perfume River

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

Next project | Ngựa hoang

Wild Horse
Vinhho, Wooden carving, Maison d’Art, 2026

Ngựa hoang


Vết thù gởi lại nhân gian,
Hoá làn mây nước lướt bay khắp trời,
Một đời ngược gió tàn hơi,
Hồn phơi phách lạc tạc lời thuỷ chung.

KTS. Hồ Viết Vinh 260110

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 | Architecture and Fine Arts during the reign of Khai Dinh, a historical perspective

Architecture of each nation evolves and develops along a historical trajectory. Particularly, royal architecture establishes solid foundations refined over time, becoming the formal language through which art thrives. Each dynasty selects its own stylistic language as a benchmark for evaluation and a marker of its era.
The selective inheritance across dynasties shapes the orthodox architectural tradition. This tradition adheres to strict principles of form-making, setting standards that serve as measures of artistic creativity. However, the end of each dynasty invariably signifies adaptations to external influences. Ultimately, the flow of architecture is once again reshaped and renewed, continuing its progression.

Khai Dinh tomb. Source: @molon.de

Emperor Khai Dinh utilized to infuse a sense of national identity into the architectural and artistic works of the royal court. These projects, executed during the late Nguyen dynasty, reflect a deliberate effort to adapt proactively to the changing circumstances.

Nearly a century later, the art of ceramic mosaic from the Khai Dinh era continues to flourish in temples, pagodas, shrines, and tombs.

To read the full research article below.