The Architecture Delegation of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City (HCMUT, VNU-HCM) has etched their names into the 14th National Architecture Student Festival’s hall of fame with an impressive haul of 11 awards. The dedicated team put in a stellar performance, making this competition season one to remember.
Held from April 20th to 25th, 2024, in Hue City, the festival was co-organized by the Vietnam Association of Architects and the University of Science (Hue University) [1].
After five intense competition days, HCMUT’s 27 Architecture students, including 10 from the English-taught Program, had their efforts yielding a remarkable 11 awards: a First Team Prize in the Installation Art (one of the most prestigious category), an All-round Team Prize, eight individual awards across all professional categories (including two Firsts, three Seconds, and three Thirds), and a Second-place finish in team building activities.
The HCMUT Installation Art exhibit captivated audiences with its enchanting rendition of the Hương River. The waterway gracefully and morphingly flowed around heritage structures, mirroring the city’s unique beauty, shifting with the sunlight and weather conditions.
What makes the exhibit special is that it was meticulously hand-crafted. The dedicated HCMUT students toiled day and night, sawing wood, applying glue, and shaping decal paper – all without relying on a single nail. Even more impressive, dismantling the elaborate installation took just a mere five minutes.
Pham Linh Dan, a K2021 student from the English-taught Program, also the Second-place winner in Quick Design B, reflected on the experience: “Returning to the festival after my first attempt last year, I felt a surge of newfound knowledge and confidence. This year presented a fantastic opportunity to push myself further and learn even more.”
“The biggest takeaway for me is the importance of design thinking,” Dan continued. “The Quick Design competition highlighted the need to refine my spatial awareness and develop a more nuanced understanding.” He further elaborated, “This time around, I truly embraced the experience. I gave my all academically and socially, forging lasting bonds with my teachers and teammates.”
Le Gia Bao, another K2021 English-taught Program student, shared a core memory: “Working alongside talented architecture students from across the country was truly eye-opening. Each participant brought a fresh perspective and unique problem-solving approaches. My most cherished memory of this competition season is what we dubbed ‘HCMUT Architecture immersed in the heritage stream.'”
“While scouting for materials in Hue’s ancient capital, we stumbled upon a breathtaking beach near Thien Mu Pagoda,” Bao recounted. “After the competition, it became our haven for relaxation. Immersing ourselves in the cool waters of the Hương River washed away all the stress and pressure, leaving only laughter and unforgettable memories.”
[1] The festival encompassed eight professional competitions (Logo Design, Pavilion Design, Photography, Sketching, Installation Art, Graphic Design, Quick Design A, Quick Design B) alongside a variety of engaging sightseeing tours, seminars, and cultural and artistic exchanges.
Institutions from both Vietnam and abroad, totaling 29 architecture training schools, participated in the event. The theme, “Hue – Youth with Heritage,” aimed to inspire students to explore the ancient capital’s rich heritage while fostering their creativity in preserving these national cultural and historical treasures.
