The outdoor space in front of Hanoi Museum - a museum built with an investment of VND2.3 trillion ($88 million) - has been transformed into a special exhibition venue for “Dong buom” (Setting Sail), which is open to the public from May 22 to September 31, 2026.

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The opening ceremony for the “Dong buom” exhibition and the Top 10 Awards 2025 presentation recently took place at Hanoi Museum. The event marks the final stage in selecting the 30 most outstanding architectural, interior and green building projects from 363 submissions nationwide.

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One of the highlights of this year’s event is a distinctive architectural installation. The vast outdoor area in front of the landmark museum has been turned into an exhibition space filled with striking bamboo architectural models.

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The pavilion takes inspiration from sails filled with wind as its central visual language, symbolizing the spirit of Vietnamese architecture reaching out to the world while remaining firmly anchored in national cultural identity. The space is arranged around a radial structure with a “heritage core” at its center.

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Architect Phuong Doan, who shared the design concept behind the pavilion, said: “We wanted the pavilion not only to function as an exhibition space but also to become a visual symbol of the journey of contemporary Vietnamese architecture. The image of ‘Dong buom’ represents the courage to reach farther and embrace innovation while still being guided by the depth of local culture. From the spatial structure and woven bamboo materials to the open experiential design, everything is intended to connect the public with architecture through a sense of closeness and natural emotion.”

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The layered architectural walls and woven bamboo “sails” are shaped like upward development graphs, evoking movement, creativity and the aspiration for Vietnamese architecture to break through and evolve.

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Among the projects featured in the Top 10 Interior Designs 2025 category is a newly opened cinema complex in Hanoi.

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Through the “Dong buom” pavilion and its open exhibition system for the public, organizers hope to bring architecture closer to everyday life while inspiring Vietnamese architects and designers to continue innovating, integrating globally and leaving their mark on the international creative landscape. Photos: Organizing Committee

My Anh