The building's design was supposed to be environment-friendly and based on the curves of the Vietnamese

“ao dai”. Yet Lotte Center Hanoi’s architecture actually results in pollution and hints at nothing of
Vietnamese culture.
As I had the chance to see Lotte’s initial concept proposals, its unexpected failure compounded my concern
for architectural sustainability in Vietnam. Truth be told, Lotte Center is only one example among many
buildings failing to follow environmentally and culturally sustainable schemes. The situation moved me to
address its two causes: the lack of rational design approaches and the fact that investors are unaware of the
long-term benefits of sustainable architecture.
The first issue manifested itself ever since I went to Hanoi Architectural University. During my
undergraduate study, it pained me that the school only taught theories based on subjective viewpoints, not a
scientific one. In academic projects, for example, most students neglected the feasibility and suitability of
their designs to pursue visually pleasing concepts.
Nevertheless, I pushed ahead for my long-term goal: continuing my academic career in a foreign
developed country. Therefore, my time was mostly devoted to languages and academic work instead of
part-time jobs, which 80% of my classmates chose. Being a black sheep meant getting isolated, but I knew
it would pay in the long run. Today, my academic profiles and language qualifications are all one step
ahead of my peers with a final ranking of the faculty’s top 5% and two recognized language certificates.
However, academic excellence could not make up for the lack of a scientific approach when it came to
professional work. My probational period at ACT Architects Vietnam disappointed me that little
knowledge acquired at school was applicable in real work. Consequently, I had to learn mostly from
scratch how to deal with a project step-by-step while keeping up with hectic schedules.
But difficulties came with opportunities. Putting my best foot forward, I learned to work decisively and
was promoted to official rank after one month. More importantly, ACT introduced me to the practice of
ecological buildings, which later kindled my interest and exploration of sustainable architecture.
Nonetheless, since I had not had any experience in construction work, my designs were infeasible to some
extent. So I left ACT for the Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology (IBST). Working for
this governmental body brought about marginal financial rewards, not to mention all kinds of bureaucratic
hassles. However, it was experience that I was after.
As it turned out, when my assignment was construction supervision at the Lotte Center Hanoi, the project
was a valuable experience. For this 65-storey building, dealing with diverse daily on-site technical issues
refined my problem-solving and organizational skills. Furthermore, this was the first project in which I was
tasked with a leader role. Taking charge of a construction quality control team consisting engineers from
four subcontractors, I realized that flexibility was the key in directing Vietnamese workers who often lack
discipline. Hence, my leadership style was a hybrid of autocratic and managerial. As the project was given
a High Construction Quality Prize, I believe that my method was effective.
Still, the problem emerging since my first days at university persists. Having worked in both private and
public sectors for nearly 4 years, it is agonizing to me that there are no systematic and scientific
approaches for sustainable architecture in Vietnam. Two years at the Lotte project opened my eyes to the
meticulously evidence-based approach behind the sustainable proposals of Callison LLC - the American
architecture consultancy of the project. Compared to their methods, those of most Vietnamese firms are
largely intuition-based. In addition, the construction of Lotte Center Hanoi proves that the inadequate
public appreciation of sustainable designs is deterring the implementation of this architectural ideology.
From here comes my ultimate objective: a sustainable and scientific architectural design approach for
Vietnam. To achieve this goal, modern knowledge from a recognized architecture school is indispensable.
And there are compelling reasons that I apply to the Fulbright Scholarships.
On an educational level, U.S universities are highly distinctive with two schools in the world’s top 10
architecture institutions. Additionally, the second most significant change in architecture courses in the U.S
over the recent years was the increasing emphasis on sustainable design. This change, reported by Design
Intelligence, will cater for my academic interest.
On networking, I will have opportunities to bridge relationships with experts whose knowledge and talents
will be beneficial to my country. Mr Vo Trong Nghia, a renowned Vietnamese architect, showed typical
example of such effective networking. His connections with the media, coupled with his professional
prowess, made him a trend-setter influencing many local architects to delve into green architecture.
Similarly, I aim to network with experts on communication and journalism to direct public attention to
sustainable architecture. And there are 28 Fulbright alumni of these disciplines among the 213 Vietnamese
awardees of the programme.
On a professional level, my American educational experience will play an essential part in my career. After
the master’s course, I will continue my architectural practice at IBST. My academic expertise, supported by
American colleagues whom I will have networked with during my study, will help me to solve
architectural questions more scientifically and creatively. Besides professional achievements, I will have
the necessary materials and tools to form new theories of sustainable architecture for Vietnam. This choice
of mine is inspired by Mr Nghia, whose many remarkable works, such as the House for Trees, were shared
success with his two Japanese partners whom he met during his abroad higher education.
After 10 years of recognized practical and research works, I plan to become a leading sustainability-
focused architect in Vietnam. Also, my theories will hopefully be completed. Armed with both a business
network and theory bases, I will promote the implementation of sustainable architecture in Vietnam.
To conclude, my goals call for new methodologies and interdisciplinary support, which are available from
the Fulbright programme. Given the challenges, I will not hesitate to spend years more to achieve these
goals.

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