Vietnam’s economy and society are on a strong development momentum. We are overwhelmed by the architectural works, changing the face of both urban cities and remote areas every day. How do architectural works retain their cultural identity in the place where they are located? How can each building be a thread connecting the past and the present? That is a big challenge, a big mission of A79 architects. Contemporary Vietnamese architecture painting When it comes to contemporary Vietnamese architecture, we can see a “forest” of buildings rising up through the time, from the central city to the localities, even remote areas, annually attracting millions of tourists. One day, Hanoians seem to realize that the capital is no longer romantic and charming as it was in the past, or that Sa Pa no longer retains its pure innocence… All has been replaced by high-rise concrete buildings covered in sunlight; bare, stiff highways crashed into the landscape. Poet Che Lan Vien once wrote: “When we live, the land is a place to live, when we leave, it turns into a soul”. Each land has its own soul and is created from many factors: history, native  people, natural conditions to architecture, culture… When it comes to the identity of an urban place, not just sand, gravel, concrete and blocks, identity is the spirit, the soul of that place. Despite regretting the past, urbanization is still an irreversible process, we are still racing on a one-way train and cannot return to the old position. How do architectural works retain their cultural identity in the place where they are located? How can each building be a thread connecting the past and the present? That is a big challenge, a big mission of A79 architects. What to learn from the contemporary architectural perspective of the famous Japanese architect – Prof. Shin Takamatsu? “Let’s learn from the past” – A brief but thoughtful sharing of Arch Shin Takamatsu’s career journey, when he attended a seminar on Contemporary Vietnamese Architecture with A79. Prof. Shin Takamatsu is well-known as an architect of nonexistent structures. He is famous for his horrifying hand drawings, futuristic constructions, metaphorical details and industrial machinery. His works are like fortresses, highly symbolic, closed to the surrounding space because he thinks: “Architecture is a symbol. Symbolism has its beauty and creates moments of appreciation that can make people burst into tears.” Undeniably, whether it is symbolic architecture or architecture of life, it honestly reflects the times. Therefore, all architectural works need to learn from the past, inherit the good and beautiful things to create suitable architectural works in the present. For Arch Takamatsu, inheriting traditional values is not only using classic materials or shapes, but through metaphors of details, light and dark space, sometimes like a collection of an extra-architectural detail grafted onto the surface. Discussing the mission of A79 with contemporary Vietnamese architecture A79 was born in the era that Vietnam’s socio-economic development is on the rise, the urbanization is getting faster and faster. Therefore, architecture must first be ‘responsive’, that is its original instinct. At the same time, it is always necessary to be creative to adapt to all general changes of society, industry and era, including science and technology. In spite of A79’s operating independently, the spirit and thinking “One step ahead” always lives inside A79 and the architects team to create breakthrough works, thereby creating new lifestyles for the community such as green architecture, smart architecture. In addition, a number of A79’s major projects including cultural and urban works have been, are and will be “architecturalized” so that they become works of pure art instead of only technical works, an aspiration towards creating iconic works of the era. In the seminar, the Board of Directors as well as all architects and engineers of A79 also shared a big dream. A79 does not only bring top-notch architectural works to serve the Vietnamese people, but also wishes to “bring the bell to beat the country, reach out to the world.”

On the morning of April 26, 2022, the seminar”Contemporary Vietnamese Architecture with A79″ took place at 33A Ba Trieu, marking many memorable “firsts” of Alphanam Group. The event was held on the occasion of Vietnam Architecture Day 27/4 – honoring passionate and talented architects. Special “firsts” On the side of Alphanam Group, there were the participation of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Group – Mr. Nguyen Tuan Hai; Chairman of the Board of Directors of A79 JSC Ngo Trung Hai; Mr. Bui Hoang Tuan – Chairman of the Board of Directors of Alphanam E&C JSC, Member of the Board of Directors of A79 JSC; Mr. Giang Nguyen Hong Van – Deputy Director of A79 Joint Stock Company and the company’s members. In particular, the seminar welcomed special guests: Architect Nguyen Tan Van – Former President of Vietnam Association of Architects, Former Deputy Minister of Construction; Arch Shin Takamatsu – Chairman of Shin Takamatsu Architect and Associates with members of the Shin team. The two guests of the event are two respected architects who have contributed to changing the professional thinking of architects and created the “architectural identity” of the two countries of Vietnam and Japan with distinct philosophies and paths – they come together with members of A79 JSC to discuss a common passion, a common love for the architectural profession. The event is an important milestone in the development journey of A79 Joint Stock Company, marking memorable “firsts”: A conference on contemporary architecture was held for the first time. For the first time, there were guests who were famous architects to attend and talk with the members. For the first time, all members of A79 Joint Stock Company gathered together, thinking together about the path that the seniors and great people have walked from hard architecture to soft, contemporary architecture. And also for the first time, the architects of A79 shared their love of the profession with each other, and spread that love to the “pagans” at the event. Settled and proud At the opening of the program, Arch. Nguyen Tan Van affirmed that architecture is a profession recognized by humanity in terms of value: “Our profession is a technical profession full of society, humanity and culture, which later affects the economic development of the country. The stronger the country grows, the more architecture develops. At the same time, he shared the definition of “contemporary architecture”, which is the inheritance from what was built in the past to create and meet the expectations of modern life. For him, architecture is a symbol, architecture pioneers in integration and nothing can prevent that integration. In particular, he proposed to develop the A79 Joint Stock Company into a branch of architects because “Alphanam is a group that loves architecture!” “Give appreciation in every moment” – that is what Prof. Arch. Shin Takamatsu talks about the mission of architects. He sent a message to young architects about the responsibility, that they should create symbols so that when others look at them, they will feel so touched that they have to cry. Through video clips with specific and vivid illustrations, the famous architect from Japan has introduced hundreds of architectural works in his career of more than 50 years. In addition, he gives valuable suggestions on contemporary architecture, in which he mentions the need to learn from the past to use the language of architecture to create buildings with a modern breath. On behalf of A79 Joint Stock Company, Mr. Giang Nguyen Hong Van introduced the projects of Alphanam. He emphasized that A79 is still trying to bring designs from drawings to life and bring value to society and the community every day. “A79 has a differentiation point from any organization and business, is that 100% of products, ideas and dreams come true. With the A79, each passing journey leaves an imprint. Six years ago, A79 was a group of only three or four people, now it has grown to nearly 100 people. With the current workload, in the near future it can be up to 200 people. The journey of A79 will turn a new page”_ Chairman Nguyen Tuan Hai shared. Finally, the Chairman expressed his respect for the profession of architecture and architects: “ Architect is a dedicated profession, creating each work as a story. I understand that in order to make such works, it is necessary to have a natural talent, to put all the mind into it. That’s why I admire architects so much.”   Dr. Architects. Ngo Trung Hai also has enthusiastic sharing: “The work is only considered as a product. But that work is a wonder if it is recognized by people. We are the ones who will quickly turn ideas into reality.” At the seminar, without pressure, only the love of the profession lit up the pride! On the occasion of Vietnam Architecture Day 27/4, may Alphanam’s architects always keep the flame of love for the profession to create more valuable works. I hope that you will always be firm with the determination to “live with dreams, dare to dream and will make dreams come true” as Chairman Nguyen Tuan Hai reminded at the seminar today. The seminar left an indelible impression in the hearts of the attendees