Activities

Next-Generation University – An Integrated, Green, and Smart Campus

The new campus of the University of Economics – Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-UEB) is planned to be located at the heart of the Hoa Lac Vietnam National University Urban Area, covering an area of over 27 hectares. This space is envisioned as an integrated complex that combines education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, international collaboration, and community engagement.
The challenge for participating teams goes beyond designing standalone landscape architecture or building complexes. They are required to propose a comprehensive solution capable of sustainable operations, future adaptability, application of green technologies, and most importantly, reflecting the cultural identity of Vietnamese universities in the 21st century.

Photo: Opening remarks by the leadership of VNU-UEB, defining the vision for a new-generation university at Hoa Lac.

Social Significance and the VND 10 Billion Sponsorship from IMG

Going beyond a typical architectural competition, this event carries profound social significance, highlighted by a full sponsorship of VND 10 billion from IMG — a pioneering Vietnamese enterprise committed to supporting education through tangible, long-term actions.

Returning not only as an alumnus, Mr. Le Tu Minh, Chairman of IMG, has chosen to lay the "first foundation stones" for a future space of knowledge. His return has transformed this sponsorship into a mission of extending spiritual values, connecting individuals, businesses, and the academic community under a shared vision of sustainable development.
This sponsorship represents not just a rare large-scale investment in educational architecture, but also stands as a testament to the long-term mindset of a Vietnamese business that chooses to leave its mark on the very place where future generations of talented human resources will be nurtured.

Mr. Le Tu Minh shared:
"I hope this will not just be an architectural project, but a symbol of knowledge, culture, and the future."

Beyond the role of a sponsor, IMG is also directly involved in the organization process, contributing to vision-setting, co-developing competition regulations, providing technical support, and helping amplify the competition’s message to both domestic and international communities.

Photo: Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Man, CEO of IMG — a leading Vietnamese enterprise in educational sponsorship — sharing his vision of co-creating a next-generation university space.

International Design Competition – Dual Design Tasks, One Unified Vision

Organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Planning Information Center (under the Department of Construction), the competition brings together professional architectural consultancies from France, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
According to the competition regulations, each team must address two interconnected design layers:
* Master Plan Design (Scale 1/500): Efficient spatial organization, scientific zoning, aligned with green development principles.

* Landscape Architecture & Building Complex Design: Ensuring academic identity, practical feasibility, and the integration of advanced technologies.

The teams will have 12 weeks to develop their proposals, supported by comprehensive technical documents, current site maps, and detailed datasets provided by the Organizing Committee.

Photo: Overview of the conference hall — presentation of design tasks and competition regulations, providing comprehensive technical information and official documents to the participating teams.

Aiming for a Design that Embodies Academic Excellence and Urban Value

The Organizing Committee aspires to select a proposal that strikes a delicate balance — refined enough to convey academic prestige, yet bold and practical enough for real-world implementation. The goal is to create an architectural landmark that evokes the spirit of world-renowned universities while preserving the “Vietnamese essence” through space, materials, and ecological structures.

Several core criteria were emphasized:

• Integration of open spaces, community interaction, and academic functions.

• Resource optimization and future adaptability.

• Pioneering the image of a “Vietnam Green University” symbol.

• Architecture for the community — design rooted in identity.

Kiến trúc vì cộng đồng – thiết kế vì bản sắc

This competition is not merely a platform for architects to contribute their expertise, but a convergence of social responsibility and a spirit of creation. A next-generation university space must transcend aesthetic appeal; it needs to have “soul” — connecting culture, functionality, environment, and people.

From this point, a new journey is being laid — where architecture is not just a vessel for education but an enduring source of inspiration for learning, living, and innovation for generations to come.

Photo: The Organizing Committee and international consulting teams take a commemorative photo — marking the beginning of the journey to create a globally recognized landmark at Hoa Lac.