The Fukuoka Arts and Culture Prize is a prestigious annual award that recognises individuals with outstanding achievements in academic research, the arts, and cultural fields across Asia. The award aims to honour Vo Trong Nghia’s pioneering efforts in developing green architecture, creatively integrating traditional values into modern and sustainable design.
Nghia is a renowned architect in the Southeast Asian architectural community, known for a series of designs that thoughtfully consider the regional environment, vegetation, and structures using bamboo and wood as primary building materials. He is also highly regarded for conveying innovative ideas through his works on green architecture, which harmoniously blend Southeast Asian traditions with modern design methods and construction techniques.
Notable projects include Wind and Water Café (Ho Chi Minh City, 2006), Grand World Phu Quoc Welcome Centre (Phu Quoc, 2021), Thang House (Da Nang, 2021), Bat Trang House (Ha Noi, 2020), Ancestor and Buddhist Worship House (Ben Tre, 2021), and Urban Farming Office (Ho Chi Minh City, 2022). All these projects exemplify his green architecture philosophy through open structures, energy efficiency, and the blending of nature and urban living.
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| The Grand World Phu Quoc Welcome Centre. (Photo credit: Hiroyuki Oki) |
He is also the architect of the Viet Nam Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, a key milestone that showcased Vietnamese architecture on the international stage.
His works have garnered numerous prestigious awards, including the National Architecture Award (Viet Nam, 2013), the Prince Claus Award (Netherlands, 2016), and six gold medals from Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA). In 2014, the World Economic Forum named him a Young Global Leader.
Vo Trong Nghia remains steadfast in his pursuit of green and ecological architecture. He explores the role of architecture in addressing the urban challenges facing rapidly developing Viet Nam, integrating greenery into open buildings adapted to tropical climates, and innovating in natural ventilation and insulation techniques.
With his widespread influence and unwavering dedication to architectural innovation in Southeast Asia, architect Vo Trong Nghia is a well-deserving recipient of the 2025 Fukuoka Arts and Culture Prize. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on September 16 in Fukuoka City, Japan.
