VTN Architects delivered a 14.8-metre-high bamboo megastructure spanning 1,460 sq.m. The exposed bamboo frame is a work of art, etched with “lotus” and “bronze drum” motifs – classic Vietnamese symbols – carved into intricate lattices that blend tradition with a modern twist.
Grand World Phu Quoc Welcome Centre (Photo: thanhnien.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – VTN Architects’ Grand World Phu Quoc Welcome Centre has clinched the Special Award for Sustainability at the 2025 ARCASIA Awards for Architecture (AAA), Asia’s premier architectural competition.
The accolade, announced at the Asian Congress of Architects in the Republic of Korea, marks the eighth recognition for the company, solidifying its reputation as a trailblazer in green design across the continent.
At the heart of the Grand World Phu Quoc complex, within the sprawling Phu Quoc United Centre, the Welcome Centre stands as a deliberate lure for visitors, a cultural landmark that speaks to Vietnam’s heritage.
VTN Architects delivered a 14.8-metre-high bamboo megastructure spanning 1,460 sq.m. The exposed bamboo frame is a work of art, etched with “lotus” and “bronze drum” motifs – classic Vietnamese symbols – carved into intricate lattices that blend tradition with a modern twist.
Constructed entirely from eco-friendly materials, the structure eschews air-conditioning, relying instead on natural ventilation and daylight to create a cool and airy interior. Artificial lighting, sparingly used, comes alive only after dusk. Bamboo poles are tied together with just rope and pegs, slashing costs and environmental impact while delivering a vibe that’s pure harmony with nature.
ﷺ AAA, run annually by the Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA), shine a spotlight on Asia’s best builds, from private residences, commercial buildings to public facilities, and green projects. The awards celebrate designs that push creativity, honour cultural roots, and keep the planet in mind./.
Out of 63 architectural works and 38 hospitality individuals and projects recognised, several Vietnamese entries stood out, including The RIVUS and The CENTRIC (Masterise Group), Dong Dong interior collection (Landco Corporation), Dhawa Hanoi & The Lakeside Complex (Pacific Thang Long) and The Luxury House (Cat Moc Group).
The Khanh Hoa Children's Cultural Palace, located in Nha Trang city, features a unique architectural design inspired by the red scarf - a symbol closely associated with childhood and school life. This 540-billion-VND project serves not only as a modern space for children and teenagers to play and learn, but also as an architectural landmark in Nha Trang.
The exhibition features a dome made from do (poonah paper), a traditional Vietnamese material, combined with recycled plastic and steel to create a space that is both soft and strong, symbolising the harmony between nature, humanity and technology.
Hanoi is set to stage its first world cultural day this October, featuring a world cultural festival, Hanoi international cuisine showcase, film screenings, an international folk-dance programme, an international fine arts exhibition, an international costume and ao dai festival, and an international book fair.
Billed as one of Vietnam’s most challenging races, the 100km event is set to spark intense competition among top-tier runners. Among them is Peiquan You, a standout Chinese trail athlete and two-time champion of the Hong Kong 100, another World Trail Majors race.
Vietnam welcomes some 4-5 million Chinese visitors annually. In the first eight months of this year, Vietnam hosted more than 3.5 million Chinese. Vietnamese travellers, meanwhile, are increasingly drawn to China’s cultural and natural attractions.
On the evening of September 15 (local time), Algerian audiences enjoyed the Vietnamese film “Dao, Pho va Piano” (Peach Blossom, Pho and Piano). Vietnam was invited as the guest of honour at this year’s festival. In addition to the feature film, the country also introduced the documentary “Dien Bien: Land and People” and another featuring the 1954 Dien Bien Phu Victory for competition at the event.
Divided into three chapters with dozens of meticulously staged performances, the programme created a vibrant and emotionally rich atmosphere. The blend of tradition and modernity, powerful voices, and the solemn resonance of the symphony orchestra gave the show its distinctive hallmark.
The photo collection, which features typical landmarks and landscapes as well as the culture and lifestyle of Da Nang people, aims to introduce the image of Vietnam's central city to Korean friends.
Held on September 13-14, ManiFiesta – the annual festival of solidarity organised by the Workers' Party of Belgium – drew tens of thousands of participants from across Belgium and neighbouring countries. Alongside music, debates and cultural exchanges, Vietnam made a strong impression with a booth rich in national identity.
Vietnam’s top female badminton player Nguyen Thuy Linh, ranked 18th in the world, was unable to defend her title after losing 0-2 to Cai Yan Yan of China (world No. 107) in the women’s singles final of Yonex-Sunrise Vietnam Open 2025.
At Nhan Dan’s pavilion, visitors encountered a vivid chronicle of Vietnam’s milestones under the Communist Party of Vietnam and the late President Ho Chi Minh’s leadership, from the struggle for independence and reunification to modern development and global integration. Special publications marking Vietnam’s 80th National Day, coupled with performances by Vietnamese artists, intricate handicrafts, and fragrant dishes, had foreign visitors lining up in droves.
Vietnamese singer Duc Phuc will be among 23 artists from 23 countries participating in Intervision 2025, an international music competition often described as the “Eurovision of Eurasia", in Russia.
The event aims to promote solidarity among ethnic minorities, particularly the Cham people, in southern and south-central Vietnam, following the recent merger of provincial-level administrative units.
The animated feature Buffalo Kids, hitting Vietnamese theatres on September 12, is developed from the record-breaking short Strings (2024), which holds the Guinness World Record for the most awarded short film in history.
The national achievement exhibition, themed “80 Years of Independence – Freedom – Happiness,” is the largest of its kind held in Vietnam so far, bringing together 28 ministries and central agencies, 34 localities, 16 state-owned economic corporations, and 94 leading private enterprises.
Victory Vietnam by Swedish film director Bo Öhlén is a deeply moving and authentic documentary, officially premiered in April 2025 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification of Vietnam (April 30, 1975 – 2025).
The LION Championship 26 (LC26) will take place at Tay Ho Gymnasium in Hanoi on September 13, with the spotlight on the debut of World WBC Muay Thai Champion Truong Cao Minh Phat, who will square off against Irish fighter Aaron Clarke in the 61kg MMA Striking category.
The archives consist of administrative records, maps, and technical drawings from 1911–1955 left by French coal companies, along with images capturing coal mining, colonial architecture, miners’ lives, and the local community. These materials not only carry historical value but also offer vivid insights into Quang Ninh’s socio-economic landscape before 1955.
Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes are taking centre stage at the third photo exhibition “Vietnam Through the Lens of International Photographers”, which opened in Hue city on September 10.
The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) hosted a screening of the film Mua do (Red Rain) on September 9 for members of the consular corps and Lao and Cambodian students studying in the city, a part of activities marking the 80th anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945 – 2025),
