The Turning Point of Innovation for ISCM at VNXSYMPOSIUM 2025

VNxSymposium 2025 is an academic exchange and creative research event in the fields of design, architecture, and urban planning that has garnered attention both domestically and internationally. The event is organized by RMIT Vietnam in collaboration with the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City - Institute of Smart Urban Development and Management (UEH - ISCM), Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture (UAH), Vietnam-Germany University (VGU), Van Lang University (VLU); along with various studios such as Chimnon Studio, Passive Design Lab, Tropical Space, G+, H.2, K59 Atelier, and others; as well as international institutions including RMIT Melbourne (Australia), Western Sydney University (Australia), State University of Jakarta (Indonesia), and KAIST (Korea).

Speakers at the VNxSymposium event

VNxSymposium is designed as a convergence space for higher education institutions, design studios, independent artists, and the professional community to reflect the changes in modern Vietnamese urban areas. Accompanying the organizing representatives is RMIT Vietnam, and the Institute of Smart Urban Development and Management (ISCM) becomes part of the research direction "Smart Urban Pedagogy and Practice" by focusing on innovating urban design training methods, integrating technology, data, and human factors into urban development thinking.

The VNxSymposium 2025 event will be held over three days (July 4, 2025 – July 6, 2025) with a variety of activities such as thematic workshops, exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, and art performances. Along with four themes: FuturesX – Future Heritage & Urban Space, SocietyX – Ethical Design, Community Memory, and Craft, PedagogyX – Design Education Innovation, RegenX – Sensory Art and Space Regeneration, the event will provide profound interdisciplinary artistic experiences between architecture, design, and urbanism.

Exhibition space

In addition, the event features Dr. Donna Cleveland – Head of the School of Communication & Design at RMIT Vietnam, Dr. Rachel Jahja – Design Lecturer at RMIT Vietnam – Co-chair of the program, Corinna Joyce – Fashion Program Manager at RMIT, Dr. Architect Huỳnh Văn Khang – Lecturer at ISCM – UEH, founder of the Passive Design Lab architecture office, and ThS. Đỗ Lê Phúc Tâm – Lecturer at ISCM – UEH, along with scholars, designers, and artists from various countries and universities.

Projects from ISCM

For example, three graduation projects from students of Class 47 under the theme PedagogyX focus on addressing urgent issues in Ho Chi Minh City, such as designing community spaces to respond to flooding, a multi-generational housing model that combines community living, and the sustainable restructuring of the Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe canal corridor. These projects clearly demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach, emphasizing data, spatial perception, and practical applicability in urban contexts.

The project of Tran Phuoc Quynh Thi - a student of Class 47, SC001 - Valedictorian of the 2024 Graduation Project with the project "Enhancing the Tradition of Coexisting with the Forest."

The project of Phung Nguyen - a student of Class 47, SC001 - Co-Valedictorian of the 2024 Graduation Project with the project "Carbon Reduction Benefits of Zero Carbon Communities: A Case Study of the Long Duc Industrial Park Neighborhood."

The project of Dinh Thanh Thong - a student of Class 47, SC001 - "Adaptation to Flooding and Solving the Problem of Green-Gray Infrastructure Towards a Climate Resilient Cities Model for Thu Duc City."

At the same time, the presentation by ThS. Đỗ Lê Phúc Tâm – under the theme PedagogyX, titled “Smart Urban Pedagogy at UEH,” shares the process of integrating open studio methods, data-driven design, and “LIVING LAB” into training at ISCM. This includes project-based learning (studio-based), applying data and technology to spatial analysis, and enhancing connections between students, lecturers, professionals, and the community through Living Lab models.

The presentation by M. Do Le Phuc Tam

Along with the solo exhibition “The Folds of the Present” by Dr. Architect Huỳnh Văn Khang, under the theme FuturesX, a series of sketches depicting architecture and everyday scenes in Ho Chi Minh City reminds us that: “Heritage is not what we leave behind, but how we live in the present – so that the future has something worth remembering.” The exhibition is a combination of personal aesthetics and the spirit of urban research, opening up a new understanding of "everyday heritage."

The solo exhibition of Dr. Architect Huynh Van Khang

Entering the opening film “Saigon Spatial Series #1: Scale”

Notably, in the opening film “Saigon Spatial Series #1: Scale” produced by Chimnon Studio, Passive Design Lab, founded by Dr. Architect Huỳnh Văn Khang, is one of the 10 architectural ateliers proud to be a part of the film. The film explores how local architecture studios respond to urbanization and climate change through small-scale projects designed for the community.

With the participation of 500 visitors, VNxSymposium 2025 has become an inspiring academic and creative space, fostering strong connections between educational institutions, researchers, and the design community in Ho Chi Minh City and the region.

The presence and contributions of ISCM – UEH through academic activities, art exhibitions, and professional discussions not only reflect the depth of research at the Institute but also affirm ISCM's pioneering role in urban design education linked to the context of Vietnam.

News, photos: Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM), RMIT Vietnam, and ISCM Communications Department.