The Institute of Smart City & Management (ISCM – UEH) at the 15th National Architecture Student Festival
Participating in the 15th National Architecture Student Festival, the Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM) of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) affirmed its position as a young academic unit that promotes interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary thinking in architectural and urban design. The program brought together more than 1,000 delegates, lecturers, and students from 27 architecture institutions nationwide, collectively spreading new creative values.
Images of the ISCM delegation at the opening night of the 15th National Architecture Student Festival
ISCM approaches design within the context of rapidly transforming urban environments, where space, culture, and technology are integrated to create practical solutions for cities like Ho Chi Minh City. Rather than developing in isolation, the delegation seeks to engage with the broader architectural education community to exchange ideas and address multidimensional challenges—from local scales to wider global issues.
The delegation consisted of 30 students from first to third year, majoring in Architecture and Smart Urban Design. With a “Glocal” (Global to Local) orientation, ISCM students approached the competitions with creativity, sustainability, and alignment with international trends, while remaining deeply rooted in local contexts. Each project is viewed as part of an urban ecosystem, where space, technology, and society continuously interact.
Images of students participating in the rapid design competition
Some notable achievements include:
Trần Nguyễn Phi Uyên (Team 14): Second Prize – Rapid Design A, project “Slow // Fast”
Nguyễn Hoàng Hải Yến (Team 18): Third Prize – Rapid Design B, project “ECO LAB URBAN FACTORY”
Nguyễn Trường Long (Team 2): Third Prize – Rapid Design B, project “Resonance”
Beyond academic activities, the delegation actively participated in installation art, cultural exchanges, and sports events. These activities provided a platform for students to express creativity, strengthen teamwork, and create meaningful youth experiences.
Images from the closing ceremony at Vietnamese-German University
The delegation would like to express sincere gratitude to the Organizing Committee of the 15th National Architecture Student Festival, organized by the Vietnam Association of Architects in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Architects, and Vietnamese-German University, for creating a professional, well-organized, and highly connective platform.
At this year’s festival, rather than pursuing a distinct identity, ISCM aimed to leave a mark of synergy, demonstrating a spirit of continuous learning, curiosity, and willingness to contribute to shared challenges in the field. Through collaboration and knowledge exchange, ISCM hopes to join hands with peer institutions in building an open academic environment where architecture and urban students can connect, grow, and collectively shape the future of Vietnam’s cities, in line with the spirit of “Shaping the Unknown Future.”
Images of the full ISCM delegation with the Pavilion
News and Photos: Institute of Smart City & Management (ISCM)