Two Vietnamese building projects, named "Highland School System" and "Village System," have been included in a guide published by the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA).

The two projects were designed by Vietnamese architect Hoang Thuc Hao and Hanoi-based architecture firm 1+1>2. "Highland School System" consists of 52 schools built in the highlands, while "Village System" deals with community houses. 

Kindergarten and primary school in the northern highlands of Vietnam as part of the Highland School System project. Photo: Architecture Company 1+1>2

The Highland School System is a cluster of schools built in remote and mountainous Vietnam between 2014 and 2022, thanks to donations from benefactors and the community. The design of the schools is based on the principle of respecting and promoting the local indigenous spirit and traditional culture, thus contributing to the sustainable preservation of the local culture.

The Village System consists of five community houses to protect the cultural diversity of architecture and housing, shaping the way of life and promoting local culture. These community houses are built in urban, suburban, rural, and remote areas to provide housing for workers and space for community activities. 

The cluster of community houses in The Village System project by architect Hoang Thuc Hao. Photo: Architecture Company 1+1>2

They are two of 96 other works for the "UIA Guidebook for the 2030 Agenda," announced by the UIA's Sustainable Development Goals Commission. The publication is inspired by the UN's "Architecture to the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals," including two volumes to be published in 2018 and 2020.

The launch of the guide will take place in October 2023, with activities to be developed by the UIA's Sustainable Development Goals Commission, including webinars with architects whose projects have been selected for the new publication.

The event aims to encourage global architects to continue to create unique works in line with the Sustainable Development Goals for ecological and cultural diversity.

In mid-July, Vietnam was ranked 16th among 20 countries with the best architecture in the world by Insider Monkey, a financial website on financial markets, hedge funds, and trading. The ranking was based on analysis and data from various websites covering travel and architecture.