Students from the Faculty of Architecture at Van Lang University win Second Prize at the 4th International Design Competition
Surpassing 160 teams from 25 countries, Nguyen Hoang Minh, Nguyen Thi Minh Anh, and Nguyen Van Anh - students from the Faculty of Architecture at Van Lang University — excellently claimed the Second Prize at the 4th International Design Competition titled “(Re)engaging Cities’ Landscape for Cultural and Economic Vibrancy”.
The Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM) – University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with the People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa Province, officially launched the 4th International Design Competition in March 2025 under the theme “Re(engaging) Cities’ Landscape for Cultural and Economic Vibrancy”. Set against the backdrop of the Cai River waterfront, the competition sought innovative and intelligent urban planning and design ideas that not only stimulate local economic development but also preserve and enhance the distinctive landscape values and coastal ecosystem of Nha Trang City.
After a thorough evaluation and selection process, 15 outstanding projects from various international universities were chosen for exhibition and recognition at the Award Ceremony of the 4th International Design Competition, held on October 1, 2025, in Nha Trang.
Among them, the project (Re)urban – Revitalizing the riverfront city, created by Nguyen Hoang Minh, Nguyen Thi Minh Anh, and Nguyen Van Anh from Van Lang University, impressively won Second Prize in this year’s competition. Drawing inspiration from the city’s existing values - the very elements that shape its unique identity - the team envisioned a sustainable revival of the riverfront, where humanity, nature, and urban life coexist in perfect harmony.
Unlike many teams that focused on natural or cultural elements, the Van Lang University students adopted a patchwork planning approach, integrating new green and public spaces into the existing urban fabric to both preserve heritage and renew the city’s structure. Through this approach, the team envisioned a dynamic city with sustainable economic growth, where creativity and community connection are nurtured through flexible and inclusive open spaces.
The project aspires to transform the river into a “Heritage Flow”, bridging architecture and community life and blending modernity with the preservation of timeless traditions.
Sharing about their project, Nguyen Van Anh - the team’s representative - said: “Throughout the process, we didn’t assign fixed roles. Instead, we worked together in every stage — from studying the context (climate, terrain, economy, heritage, history, and culture), analyzing urban and ecological systems, to developing ideas and refining the final design.” This close collaboration enabled the team to deeply understand the urban context, explore natural, cultural, and social factors from multiple perspectives, and ultimately create a project that is both innovative and practical, carrying genuine value for the community.
The judging panel highly commended the project “(Re)urban – Revitalizing the riverfront city”, praising it for presenting an intelligent and human-centered approach to urban regeneration. The project not only honors the historical values of the riverfront area but also meets the demands of modern development, skillfully integrating natural and environmental elements to achieve harmony between architecture and landscape. Furthermore, the design solutions were recognized for their strong practicality and feasibility, offering meaningful contributions to addressing social issues and enhancing the quality of public spaces.
The Second Prize at the 4th International Design Competition “(Re)engaging Cities’ Landscape for Cultural and Economic Vibrancy” stands as a powerful encouragement, recognizing the team’s unwavering dedication and hard work. This achievement reflects Hoang Minh, Minh Anh, and Van Anh’s steadfast belief in the meaningful path they are pursuing - sustainable architecture that brings tangible value to the community.
Architecture students from Van Lang University have made their mark at numerous professional competitions such as the International Graduation Project Award, Loa Thanh Award, AYDA Awards, and more. Their consistent achievements over the years affirm the high quality of training in the Architecture program and highlight Van Lang University students’ strong competency for international integration.
News: Khanh Huyen
Photos: Courtesy of the team
Tags
Submit failed