Zen garden carries the breath of nature, located in the coniferous forest, receiving the morning sun, immersed in the coolness of the beach. People move in free space without being constrained by position and frame of reference. The displacement no longer depends on the inside, the lower, the high and the low. Heaven and earth, plants, flowers, people become one, each step carries the breath of the pure land.
Next project | MIỀN TUỆ UYỂN – TUE GIAC MONASTERY
“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.
Next project | FRAGILE
Fragile
“The quiet beauty and subtle melancholy, reflecting the fragility of life and the passage of time, enhancing the sense of fragility and evoking a sense of wonder and contemplation.”
Ho Viet Vinh
(Fragile, Acrylic on canvas, 130x97cm, Maison d’Art 2024)
Maison d'Art
the fragility of life and the passage of time
The quiet beauty and subtle melancholy
Next project | Glay Pottery Gallery
Inspired by Professor Thai Kim Lan’s collection of more than 7000 ceramic artifacts recovered from the Perfume River, an idea was born to revitalize the artifacts to match their value. All ceramic products are born from the earth and mature through fire. The heat of the fire has hardened the earth to the test of time. Dark red painted steel will represent this tempering property. The contrasting pairs of hot-cold, hard-soft are applied in the language of placement to highlight the value of time and place.
PROJECT INFO
| Type: | Art Gallery |
| Year: | 2019 |
| Location: | Thai Kim Lan Garden house |
| Team: | Ho Viet Vinh Tran Thu Ha |
Next project | CAN GIO EMOTIONAL CITY
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.
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 | Triumph
Triumph
The interplay of deep reds and blues evokes a cosmic dance, where the intangible whispers its presence across the surface of being. This visual symphony captures the essence of triumph, a celebration of the invisible forces shaping reality. The textures and hues blend seamlessly, creating a sense of depth that invites contemplation. It is a portrayal of the silent dialogue between the visible and the invisible, a testament to the power of abstract art to reveal the profound mysteries of the universe.
Acrylic on canvas, 1.8×1.8m, Maison d’Art, 2024
Next project | Mine Art Gallery
Cam Pha coal mine was established by the French in 1886 with the name Société Francais des Charbonneges du Tonkin under King Tu Duc. The stratigraphic structure of the coal mine is deepened in the shape of deep underground terraces. The coal seams gradually revealed themselves in the light that cut through the valley. The jet black color of greed mixed with the reddish brown color of the earth and the dry dust in the air: all blended to create abstract colors tinged with depth. The project is inspired by the block of coal seams that overlap in opposite directions. An inverted image of the coal seam structure to represent the remaining void. Construction materials are taken from coal seams to form stacked bricks. Space, materials and scenery seem to blend together to create the mood of the miners.
PROJECT INFO
| Type: | Gallery |
| Year: | 2016 |
| Location: | Campha City |
| Team: | Ho Viet Vinh Mai Que Vu |
Next project | Harvest
“Harvest, the golden hues evoke the poetic allure of a ripe field. The textured amber expanse whispers of abundance and the cycle of life, where each brushstroke is a hymn to the earth’s generosity. Darker, shadowy lines intersect, suggesting the inevitable passage of time and the shadows that dance upon life’s bounty. This interplay of light and dark captures the ephemeral nature of harvest.”
Vinhho, Acrylic on canvas, 97x130cm, Maison d’Art, 2024
Next project | Le Ba Dang Art Space
At the end of November 2024, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts launched the Le Ba Dang Art Space exhibition. The exhibition not only aims to showcase the distinctive creative values of painter Le Ba Dang but also serves as a tribute to the generosity of Mr. Le Tat Luyen and Mrs. Thuy Khue, who donated this collection. Their contribution has played a crucial role in preserving and promoting the value of this artistic heritage while fostering the creation of a vibrant art space that inspires future generations.
“The famous painter Le Ba Dang has woven brocade and embroidered the beauty of the country and the Vietnamese soul with a new and unique language of painting.”
Architect Ho Viet Vinh
Next project | MANG THIT RED CERAMIC BRICKS FESTIVAL 2024
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.
Brilliant at night and vibrant during the day.
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!
Next project | VINHHO Studio
Sắc kia ai vắt lên trời,
Ho Viet Vinh
Nửa chìm trong nước,
Nửa phơi nắng vàng.