Cover Vo Trong Nghia, once known for his eccentricity and uncontrollable temper as a former captain, is now affectionately referred to as “Teacher Nghia” by those around him, recognised globally for his architectural creations
Vo Trong Nghia, once known for his eccentricity and uncontrollable temper as a former captain, is now affectionately referred to as “Teacher Nghia” by those around him, recognised globally for his architectural creations
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Vo Trong Nghia is a celebrated name in both Vietnamese and international architecture circles, but behind the reputation lies a long and personal journey of discovery and purpose.
Growing up in sun-drenched, wind-swept Quang Binh, Vo Trong Nghia developed an early connection with nature that would later define his work. Until he was nearly 20, electric lighting remained a luxury in his hometown, so he adapted to a life in rhythm with the natural world. As a boy herding cows, he often sought refuge in the shade of trees and by tranquil lakes.
This “connection with nature” became second nature and eventually the core principle of his architecture. For him, nature holds a profound value vital to our health, peace of mind, and sense of balance. Early in the conversation, he recalls a milestone: his first award-winning project, the Wind and Water Café (Café 113 in Binh Duong). With no clients to commission the work, he took matters into his own hands, purchasing 7,000 bamboo stalks and building the café himself. A rare example at the time of an air-conditioner-free space, the café was lush with greenery and deeply eco-conscious. That design earned him the Gold Medal from the Asian Architects Association and the IAA Award in 2005, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey.
Reputation creates sustainable brand
A strong country needs strong brands across economics, trade and culture. Vietnam still has work to do in this regard. What are your thoughts?
I’ve always been conscious of branding. I’ve struggled with depression since childhood and used to avoid social interaction. I buried myself in studies and pursued awards, hoping that would make me visible. My weakness was communication, so spending three years meditating in the forest turned out to be invaluable; it allowed me to work effectively without the need to meet clients. Now, as you can see, I’m open, easy-going and still don’t need to socialise extensively to get results. I’ve created a name that carries credibility, and that’s my true asset. Prestige builds a sustainable brand, whether it’s a company, a corporation or simply your own name. Powerful nations understand this; they nurture individuals with strong personal brands.
If you haven’t yet begun shaping your own or your company’s reputation, you need to learn relentlessly and earn trust in the marketplace. Prestige is the guiding principle of brand-building. Profit matters, of course, but it’s not always the highest priority. I take pride in the fact that my name alone now resonates in the architecture community, both here and abroad.
Above Portrait of architect Vo Trong Nghia
Portrait of architect Vo Trong Nghia
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In how many countries have books about Vo Trong Nghia been translated and published?
I have a book in Japan dedicated entirely to my story. In the UK, there are two volumes: one focusing on green architecture, the other on bamboo. In Spain, my work on indigenous architecture is featured. China, too, has written about me, recognising my role as a Vietnamese architect devoted to environmentally conscious design. My work always embraces natural elements—sunlight, breeze and greenery are present in every structure.
A generation of young architects, upon graduating, are often burdened by the contradictions between architectural theory and construction practices in Vietnam. Many question the gap between what is taught and what is done. What are your thoughts on this, and how might it be addressed?
This is not unique to architecture. Every profession in Vietnam grapples with the same disconnect, and much of it stems from entrenched ways of working and early-stage agreements. Personally, I still take on small-scale projects, just a few dozen square metres, but ensure they remain fully functional. Hands-on experience gradually refines ideas until they become appropriate. An architect is not unlike a chef; if the skills are there, the results will speak for themselves.
Vietnam’s climate, with both rain and sunshine, is actually quite favourable for architectural expression. Some projects require careful optimisation down to the millimetre, yet architects continue to find inventive ways to respond. Even in dense spaces, it’s possible to forge connections with nature. In Vietnam, trees aren’t expensive. Nature weaves its way into the structure itself, offering each architect a distinct signature. The more projects young people complete, the more experienced they become and the divide between theory and practice begins to dissolve.
An architect is like a chef; when the skills are honed, the result is something truly savoury.
Your designs often incorporate bamboo. Is staying close to nature, particularly through this material, a lifelong design goal?
Not necessarily! Look at my work on FPT University—it’s built with concrete! (laughs) Viettel Academy, Chic-Land Building in Da Nang—those are all made of concrete and steel. Even Dong Nai Kindergarten isn’t purely bamboo. Please don’t associate me exclusively with bamboo… (laughs)
Read more: Tuan Le, Creative Director of The Lab Saigon: “There are opportunities I wish I hadn’t turned down”
Above I was fortunate to be mentored by Professor Hiroshi Naito, who guided me through the pursuit of my professional dreams
I was fortunate to be mentored by Professor Hiroshi Naito, who guided me through the pursuit of my professional dreams
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After nearly a decade studying in Japan, what are your most vivid memories of this “Asian country”?
I’m grateful to Japan for the many lessons it gave me, both in architecture and in life. I was fortunate to be mentored by Professor Hiroshi Naito, who guided me through the pursuit of my professional dreams. There were moments when I became overly confident, even arrogant, and he reminded me that failure was necessary to adjust and grow. At the time, he didn’t realise I had been carrying childhood depression. I was born in one of the poorest areas of Quang Binh, near the 17th parallel, where the land was still littered with cluster bombs. I grew up with fear and unrest.
Just before graduation, I designed a wooden structure: but new Japanese laws made the process unexpectedly difficult. Even while studying, working, and facing professional hurdles, I still graduated with honours in Aerodynamics from Tokyo University, to my professor’s surprise! I always tried to do the impossible, which inspired him to share more knowledge with me.
The personal brand “Vo Trong Nghia” has become a point of pride for Vietnamese architecture. Do you hope that more Vietnamese names will be recognised by the global architectural community and become the subjects of books?
I’ve always been driven by will and aspiration. Coming from poverty, I’ve known from the beginning that I must work twice or three times as hard as others. I’ve left a clear imprint on Vietnam’s architectural scene for nearly twenty years. Today’s young architects have the advantage of a more stable foundation and quicker access to global knowledge—they’ll soon surpass our generation.
I believe they’ll progress quickly. Vietnam is building at an extraordinary pace. Just like during wartime, when Vietnamese doctors became incredibly skilled simply by performing surgery so frequently (laughs), our architects are gaining vast practical experience. With time and perseverance, they will succeed.
Above I’ve always been driven by will and aspiration
I’ve always been driven by will and aspiration
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Eight hours of meditation in exchange for one hour of good architecture
What did 1,000 days of meditation in Myanmar teach you about humanity? How did such a transformative experience change you personally?
As society progresses, people increasingly distance themselves from nature. This disconnection leads to mental instability, often manifesting as depression or anxiety. When nature is no longer present in daily life, psychological balance becomes difficult to maintain. Having the chance to study and practise under the esteemed teacher Pa Auk in Myanmar has been the greatest blessing of my life. At the Zen Monastery, I learned to observe the breath and meditated on 40 subjects taught by the Buddha. Among them, mindfulness of the body is especially helpful for those with mental health challenges, and it is accessible to practise.
After returning home from those 1,000 days, I’ve continued to support hundreds of people facing depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety. When my mind is calm, my productivity improves. It feels as though the efforts of many past lives are now finding space to evolve and grow in this one.
Through meditation, Vo Trong Nghia has explored the complexities of mental health. In an increasingly distracted world, our minds are cluttered and our focus dispersed. Is meditation the only path to stillness? This journey, surely, is not without its challenges?
Meditation is almost the only path available for people to truly slow down. It can be practised at home, at any moment. Those suffering from depression often hide their condition, but with the support of meditation, they can recover. Friends begin recommending it to one another, and many eventually join my classes.
The risk lies in the fact that depression can be contagious. Without sufficient effort, people may relapse, as negative energy can be overwhelming. Students from all over the world join online, requiring me to maintain strict discipline to align with global time zones. Practising meditation for 45 minutes a day, consistently for three to four months, can ease stress, reduce fear, and increase grey matter. I’ve shed tears of joy witnessing people with bipolar disorder gradually improve. The joy and liveliness returning to students is deeply moving. Meditation even helped me learn English quickly after the age of 40.
Above I practise daily and use what I’ve learned to guide others who are struggling, as I once did
I practise daily and use what I’ve learned to guide others who are struggling, as I once did
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Meditation has grown far beyond religious circles and is now celebrated globally for its health benefits. As someone who has travelled widely, how do you see global business leaders embracing this practice? Do you plan to share your own method of “effective meditation” more broadly?
Around the world, business leaders are showing great interest in wellbeing and meditation. Many corporations now invite Zen masters to conduct training sessions. Mental health is one of the world’s most complex and pressing challenges; it directly affects productivity and creativity. Any method that boosts performance, including meditation, is something leaders are willing to explore and adopt.
I practise daily and use what I’ve learned to guide others who are struggling, as I once did. The energy I experience goes beyond simple gestures like touching the head, hands or chest. It involves a finer awareness of microscopic particles that emit warmth and light. That level of ability can only come from meditating deeply. As for teaching and spreading the practice, I see it as a matter of timing, of fate and fortune. When the time is right, it will unfold.
Above The energy I experience goes beyond simple gestures like touching the head, hands or chest
The energy I experience goes beyond simple gestures like touching the head, hands or chest
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Typical projects designed by VTN Architects
Completed in 2021 with a total area of 1,427m², Viettel Offsite Studio is a training and meeting space designed for the group’s senior leadership. The six V-shaped walls are arranged with flexibility, responding to the site’s natural contours. The architecture evokes the image of an open book—a symbol of inner openness reaching outward to nature
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Credits
Images: RABHUU
