On October 8, the inaugural congress for the establishment of the Vietnam Interiors Association for the 2023–2028 term took place at the Lotte Hotel Hanoi (54 Lieu Giai, Ba Dinh, Hanoi), with the participation of nearly 200 delegates from various regions across the country. The congress elected 31 members to the Executive Committee for the first term, with Architect Le Truong serving as the President of the Association.
The event marked a significant milestone in the formation of a socio-professional organization that contributes to building a foundational network, bringing about positive changes, and guiding the development of the interior design industry in Vietnam.
The congress was attended by representatives from relevant ministries and agencies: Mr. Nguyen Tuong Van – Deputy Minister of Construction; Mr. Hoang Dao Cuong – Deputy Minister of Culture; Ms. Thang Thi Hanh – Director of the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations – Ministry of Home Affairs; Mr. Duong Duc Tuan – Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee; Mr. Nguyen Tan Van – Former President of the Vietnam Association of Architects, former Deputy Minister of Construction; Dr. Architect Pham Tuan Long – Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hoan Kiem District; Mr. Luong Xuan Doan – President of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association; Mr. Tran Ngoc Chinh – President of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association; Mr. Le Van Toan – Director of the Department of Personnel Organization – Ministry of Construction; Mr. Ta Quang Vinh – Director of the Department of Infrastructure – Ministry of Construction; Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan – Director of the Department of Construction Activities Management; Mr. Nguyen Trong Ky Anh – Director of the Hanoi Planning and Architecture Department; Mr. Hoang Thuc Hao – Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Architects; Mr. Pham Duy Hoa – Rector of the Hanoi University of Civil Engineering; Mr. Le Quan – Rector of the Hanoi University of Architecture; Mr. Pham Hung Cuong – Rector of the University of Industrial Fine Arts.
The event also saw the presence of leading experts in the field: Associate Professor, People’s Teacher Le Thanh – Former Head of the Department of Interior and Exterior Decoration, University of Industrial Fine Arts; Professor, Dr. Architect Hoang Dao Kinh – Former Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Architects.
Delegates attending the CongressThe congress also saw the participation of representatives from specialized educational institutions in architecture, fine arts, and construction; esteemed architects and interior designers within the profession; businesses operating in various sectors of the interior design industry; and reporters from central and city news agencies, television stations, and specialized magazines.
The congress was divided into two sessions: the first session took place in the morning, and the official session was held in the afternoon.
First Session, Morning of October 8, 2023
During the first session, the congress addressed several key points: a summary report by the Organizing Committee on the process of establishing the Association; a draft report on the bylaws and contributions regarding the bylaws, objectives, and operational directions of the Vietnam Interior Design Association; discussions; presentations and approval of the working regulations of the official congress; presentation, discussion, and approval of the official congress agenda; consultation on election regulations and methods; presentation and approval of the personnel proposal for the congress; seeking opinions on nominations and candidacies; voting to approve the personnel proposal and the election list; and approval of the results of the first session.
During the discussion on the bylaws and regulations at the first session, Mr. Tran Khanh Trung (a member of the Organizing Committee of the Vietnam Interior Design Association) proposed clarifying the principles for meeting participation and voting procedures.
Designer Nguyen Phuong Chi (Member of the Vietnam Interior Design Association) hopes that with the establishment of the Association, individuals and businesses in the interior design field will have access to comprehensive and specialized resources, making their professional practice more convenient.
Mr. Nguyen Tuan Viet (CEO of VIETGO Co., Ltd.) highly values the advantages of the interior design market in Vietnam. He shared: “The Vietnamese interior design market is an attractive and dynamic market in Asia. The advantages of the Vietnamese interior design market include its location along international shipping routes, providing a geographical advantage that facilitates export opportunities. It also has the potential to develop in the Indochine style—a highly favored style in Europe and the United States—encompassing design, production, construction, and the export of creative ideas in Indochine design”.
Summarizing the results of the first session, Associate Professor Dr. Vu Hong Cuong stated: “The congress elected the Executive Committee, the Secretariat, as well as the committee to verify the credentials of the delegates. We listened to a summary report on the process of establishing the Association; presented the draft bylaws, orientation, and tasks for the 2023–2028 term; compiled feedback on proposed changes to the draft bylaws and the operational direction; discussed and approved the procedures and working regulations for the congress during the official afternoon session; and approved the election regulations, election methods, and the personnel proposal.”
Official session, afternoon of October 8, 2023
In his opening remarks at the official session of the congress, Associate Professor, Dr. Architect Vu Hong Cuong stated: “The Association will serve as a representative organization for designers and the community of Vietnamese interior design businesses. It will act as a bridge between businesses and government regulatory agencies, as well as other economic and social associations and organizations. The Association will support businesses in developing their operations, enhancing their competitiveness, and contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnam’s interior design industry.”
Associate Professor, Dr. Architect Vu Hong CuongMr. Nguyen Tuong Van – Deputy Minister of Construction, praised the role of the Vietnam Interior Design Association: “For the interior design industry to develop strongly, there needs to be a policy mechanism to promote growth in production, consumption, and export. It is crucial to establish a closely-knit organization that provides a foundation for the partners in the interior design industry: designers, design and construction firms, and suppliers. This is why it is necessary to create a socio-professional organization in the interior design sector, with voluntary participation from various organizations and individuals, guided by the Party and the State.”
Mr. Nguyen Tuong Van emphasized several key points to focus on in the operational direction of the Vietnam Interior Design Association, including:
Adhering to the regulations related to the Association’s approved principles and objectives, and protecting the legal rights and interests of individuals, members, and organizations.
Providing recommendations to the Ministry of Construction to define the boundaries and scope of interior design work in relation to other architectural and construction activities, utilizing modern technology, energy-saving practices, environmental protection, and smart urban development.
Enhancing the effectiveness of projects in terms of functionality, aesthetics, creativity, incorporating global best practices, and preserving cultural identity.
Focusing on diversifying products and interior design for the general public, from urban to rural areas.
Strengthening international cooperation, collaborating with educational institutions to improve the quality of interior design and related fields.
Proposing the development of a closed-loop process for the interior design industry’s value chain, which will be transformed by digital technology by 2030.
Promoting Vietnamese interior design globally through awards, competitions, and exhibitions at both domestic and international levels.
During the official session, an election took place with a high level of consensus among all members. The congress elected: 31 members of the Executive Committee; 3 members of the Supervisory Committee; 11 members of the Standing Committee; 1 President of the Association; and 4 Vice Presidents of the Association.
Architect Le Truong – the new President of the Vietnam Interior Design Association – expressed his hopes and expectations: “In this role and responsibility, I hope to unite with the members of the Executive Committee and the members of the Vietnam Interior Design Association in various sectors to create a cohesive and valuable force. Together, we will gradually establish and develop the Vietnam Interior Design Association for sustainable growth.”
As part of the program, the exhibition “STATE 01 – THE FIRST LOOK” showcased notable interior design projects, construction works, and products from across the country within the Vietnamese interior design industry. The exhibition served as a “first look” at the overall landscape of the interior design sector, providing an assessment of current successes and guiding future directions.
The Vietnam Interior Design Association Congress was a great success, approving key tasks for the 2023–2028 term. This is a historic event, marking a new phase of development for the Vietnamese interior design industry.
