The exhibition “Top 10 Pavilion” 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.

The creases on the Do paper surface convey the stories of nature and the hands of the craftsmen. Interwoven into the Do paper are layers of recycled plastic, representing the aspiration to revive discarded materials for the sake of the environment in a world transformed.

“The Pavilion is a slice of our era, where forgotten materials are reborn in new forms," said architect Vuong Dao Hoang. "It proves that architecture is not just about aesthetics but also about attitudes, responsibilities and belief in change.”

Thirty of the best architectural works that won the Top 10 Awards' residential, interior and green categories in 2024 are on display.

The annual event is one of the most highly anticipated in Vietnam’s architecture and design community. It marks seven years of honouring outstanding projects, creative ideas and sustainable practices in architecture, interior design and green buildings.

Initiated in 2018 by Kienviet Media, the Top 10 Awards aim to identify and celebrate prominent trends in three categories: architecture, interior design and green buildings. The awards are professionally supported by the Vietnam Association of Architects, Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC), the Vietnam Interior Design Association (VNIA) and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM).

Over seven seasons, the awards have attracted more than 1,000 entries from over 700 design firms nationwide. In 2024 alone, 349 projects were submitted, showcasing the diversity of design and the spread of creative, sustainable thinking within Vietnam’s architectural community.

This year’s Pavilion conveys a powerful message about the connection between past, present and future, while inspiring environmental and community responsibility.

It is not just an architectural exhibition but also an open, free experience space for the community. Activities include interactions with award-winning architects, themed talk shows, traditional craft demonstrations and creative workshops using recycled materials.

This event bridges design and daily life, inviting everyone to participate in building a sustainable future. The exhibition runs until May 18 at Dien Hong Garden on Ngo Quyen street in Hoan Kiem district.

Vietnam’s Do paper making craft in dire need for preservation

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s traditional craft of making Do or poonah paper dates back thousands of years. Although this paper has been used widely in Dong Ho paintings and other Vietnamese folk art, the techniques of making Do paper are on the verge of extinction.