Crafting Vietnam’s Urban Identity: Where Modernity Meets Cultural Heritage

Amidst the rapid pace of development, numerous new urban areas are emerging with striking similarities, often lacking a distinct identity or local character.

This issue takes center stage in Episode 5 of the talk show “Building the Nation – Vietnamese Pride,” themed “Sustainable Urban Development and Cultural Heritage Preservation.” The episode features insightful discussions with Arch. Trần Ngọc Chính, Chairman of the Urban Planning and Architecture Association and former Deputy Minister of Construction, and Mr. Nguyễn Hoàng Triều, Deputy Director of Design at Masterise Group. Together, they explore the challenge of creating modern Vietnamese cities that deeply embody the nation’s spirit.

Under Resolution 06 of the Central Committee, Vietnam aims to establish a sustainable urban system by 2045—modern yet rooted in cultural heritage and harmonized with regional natural conditions. Essentially, sustainable urban development aligns with preserving and enhancing Vietnamese identity.

Arch. Trần Ngọc Chính emphasizes the urgency of this goal as Vietnam’s urbanization accelerates. “By December 2024, the urbanization rate is expected to reach approximately 45%, with around 925 urban areas nationwide,” he notes.

However, he highlights a concerning trend: many new urban developments resemble one another, lacking unique character. “Despite modern designs and amenities, these cities often blend indistinguishably,” he observes.

To prevent urban areas from becoming generic and soulless, each must cultivate its own identity. According to Arch. Chính, this identity stems from a blend of history, architecture, landscape, and spatial organization.

Modern spaces infused with distinct identity at The Global City.

“Culture is a unique value, shaping our national character. In urban development, preserving and enhancing our heritage safeguards the nation’s essence, laying the foundation for sustainable growth,” he stresses.

From a practical standpoint, Mr. Nguyễn Hoàng Triều of Masterise Group notes that the greatest challenge extends beyond creating internationally-standard urban areas to nurturing the “soul” of these spaces. For Masterise Homes, the first brand pillar of Masterise Group, urban development harmoniously merges local cultural values, global standards, and resident needs.

“We go beyond designing buildings and modern amenities to craft spaces that foster connection and deliver profound living experiences. A true urban area is where residents feel a sense of belonging, connecting with their community, themselves, and their cultural heritage,” Mr. Triều emphasizes.

He explains that at Masterise Homes projects, identity transcends superficial elements like roof tiles or paint colors. It’s embedded in daily life—the safety of returning home, the convenience of essential services, neighborly bonds, and spaces that evoke pride and memories of Vietnamese culture.

Citing The Global City as an example, Mr. Triều shares: “Our design team avoids repetitive structures, instead organizing spaces to reflect residents’ rhythms. Streets, awnings, and green areas are crafted to evoke emotions and memories. People may forget where a shopping center is located, but they’ll remember the trees, street corners, and experiences tied to those places. These everyday details forge lasting identity and connection.”

Green living spaces harmonizing urban life at The Global City.

Both perspectives—one from comprehensive planning, the other from project execution—converge on a shared truth: urban identity isn’t superficial but a daily lived experience. It’s the balance of infrastructure, landscape, and community connection that fulfills residents’ needs while inspiring pride and attachment to their home.

This is the core message of Episode 5 of “Building the Nation – Vietnamese Pride”: Sustainable urban development means creating modern cities while nurturing Vietnamese essence within every community, ensuring cities grow alongside national identity.