Vietnam is developing green architecture to curb environmental pollutionand offer sustainable living conditions, said Nguyen Tan Van, chairmanof the Vietnam Association of Architects (VAA), at a recent seminar inHanoi.

Seven Vietnamese architects shared theirexperiences in building green projects at the Apr.21 seminar entitledGreen architecture from building reality in Vietnam . Experts agreedthat green architecture is indispensable if Vietnam is to have asustainable environment and development.

The VAA gave outfive standards for assessing a green project: A sustainable andfriendly location; healthy living; efficient use of natural resources,materials and energy; modern architecture while keeping in harmony withlocal landscapes; having a national identity.

Van saidthe most important aspect of sustainable architecture in Vietnam isthat each region must have its own identity, suiting economic andnatural conditions, social characteristics and cultural and historicaltraditions.

He said green architecture is not only a trend for rich countries.

"Developing countries like us can also apply green architecture toimprove the life of our country's inhabitants, to prevent thedestruction of the environment. In reality, green architecture hasdeveloped for a long time in many countries and has positive effects onthe Earth," Van said.

Architect Dao Ngoc Thanh said greenarchitecture has become a trend for urban development in the countryover the past 10 years. The trend of developing more energy-savingbuildings is emerging in major cities such as Hanoi and HCM City .

However, green building construction may pushinvestment costs two or three time higher than those applying undernormal designs, he said, causing people to hesitate to invest in greenstructures.

Meanwhile, the country is home to severalimportant green constructions that have benefited inhabitants. The VAArecognised outstanding green architecture in its recent award night.Those recognised include M.House ( Hue ), Bamboo Wing (Vinh Phuc), PhanChu Trinh secondary school (Binh Duong), Lam Cafe (Nha Trang), Suoi ReVillage communal house (Hoa Binh), Eco Park (Hung Yen), Ana MandarasVillas Da Lat Resort&Spa (Da Lat), Mango Bay Resort (Phu Quoc),Vincom Village ( Hanoi ), I-Resort (Nha Trang).

Architect Hoang Thuc Hao's Suoi Re Village communal house in Hoa Binh isthe model of a green project. The house is built from the materialsfound on the site, such as rammed earth and bamboo. The houses comprisesa teaching area, library and meetings areas and has been in use for sixmonths.

Architect Vo Trong Nghia's restaurant BambooWing (located in Flamingo Dai Lai Resort, Vinh Phuc province) showcased acorrelation between modern architecture and nature, with heavy use ofbamboo and wood. Local and traditional architectural features create anescape from the chaotic surrounding city.

ArchitectNguyen Thu Phong, manager of the Club of Vietnamese Young Architectssays he hopes that in the next 5-10 years, many more young Vietnamesearchitects will be interested in green architecture.

"It will have positive effect on the whole society", he says.-VNA