4th International Design Competition Award Ceremony: Announcing Sustainable Development Ideas from the Flow of the Cai River, Khanh Hoa

04 Oct, 2025

On October 1, 2025, fifteen outstanding design ideas for the Cai River area in Khanh Hoa Province were officially unveiled at the 4th International Design Competition Awards Ceremony with the topic “(Re)Engaging Cities’ Landscapes For Cultural And Economic Vibrancy”, co-organized by the Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM), UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang under the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), and the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee.

The 4th International Design Competition, themed “(Re)Engaging Cities’ Landscapes For Cultural And Economic Vibrancy”, invites students from Vietnam and abroad to focus on the Cai River waterfront - an area rich in layered cultural, historical, and ecological values unique to Khanh Hoa. The study site includes the Ponagar Tower - a Cham architectural complex deeply tied to local spiritual life, and Xom Bong - a vibrant community cultural space now facing the pressures of rapid urbanization. Over the course of six months, the competition attracted participants from multiple countries, presenting a wide range of creative and distinctive ideas

On the evening of October 1, 2025, the Award Ceremony of the 4th International Design Competition officially took place in Khanh Hoa with the participation of Dr. Park Sangwoo, former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea; Mr. Nguyen Khac Toan, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee; representatives of provincial departments and agencies; leaders of provincial associations and unions; delegates from universities and colleges in Khanh Hoa; as well as experts from universities, research institutes, and businesses both domestic and international.

Representing UEH at the event were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice President of UEH; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet – Chairwoman of the Strategy and Policy Advisory Council; Dr. Park Young June - Honorary Rector of UEH College of Technology and Design; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Khanh Nam - Rector of UEH College of Economics, Law and Government; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thuy Anh - Vice Rector of UEH College of Technology and Design; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Ha Minh Quan - Executive Dean of ISB; Dr. Nguyen Thi Thy Lieu - Permanent Vice Director of UEH Mekong; Dr. Le Thi My Binh - Director of External Relations and Project Development of UEH Nexus Nha Trang Campus; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh – Director of the UEH Institute of Smart City and Management.

Overview of the 4th International Design Competition Award Ceremony

Speaking at the Award Ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Khac Toan, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa Province, emphasized: “In the context of rapid urbanization, as the preservation of local cultural identity faces major challenges, the research and development of ideas to redesign the landscape of the Cai River area is of utmost importance. This not only helps safeguard and promote the region’s distinctive cultural heritage but also opens new opportunities for vibrant and sustainable local economic growth, particularly in the blue economy.”

Mr. Nguyen Khac Toan, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa Province, delivered the opening remarks at the 4th International Design Competition Award Ceremony

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice President of UEH - also affirmed: “From the success of previous competitions, this year’s competition focuses on the sustainable economic and cultural development of Nha Trang through the restoration and enhancement of the urban landscape along the Cai River. Contestants have proposed smart and innovative urban solutions that not only drive the local economy but also celebrate and preserve Nha Trang’s unique coastal ecosystem and heritage landscape. Through the creative visions presented by teams from around the world, we hope to identify feasible proposals that can transform the Cai River into a true ‘heritage corridor,’ realizing the goal of developing Nha Trang into a multi-centered city.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice President of UEH delivered the speech at the 4th International Design Competition Award Ceremony

Sharing about the six-month journey of the competition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh - Director of the UEH Institute of Smart City and Management - noted that the contest officially launched in March 2025, attracting more than 500 participants in 160 teams from 25 countries. With an interdisciplinary approach, the proposals not only explored the potential of landscapes and heritage but also emphasized circular economy models, the development of riverside public spaces, and urban solutions to climate change. After a rigorous evaluation process, the 15 most outstanding proposals from many international universities were selected for exhibition and recognition at the 4th International Design Competition Award Ceremony.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh shared about a 6-months journey with memorable milestones of the 4th International Design Competition Award Ceremony.

The winning projects have officially been announced, including:

+ The First Prize went to the team from Chulalongkorn University for their project Nha Trang Elasticity. Drawing inspiration from the challenges of rapid urbanization and environmental degradation, the proposal envisions transforming Nha Trang into an adaptive, ecologically balanced city through green infrastructure, ecosystem restoration, and community-based eco-tourism. Implemented in three phases, it aims to strengthen sustainability across three pillars - environmental, social, and economic - by restoring natural systems, creating inclusive public spaces, and enhancing the city’s long-term resilience. The project not only addresses today’s challenges but also charts a path for Nha Trang to become a greener, more flexible city deeply connected to its natural heritage.

+ The Second Prize was awarded to the student team from Van Lang University for their project (Re)urban - Revitalizing the Riverfront City.

+ The Third Prize went to the student team from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology for their project Threads City - Stitching Urban Fabrics of Nha Trang City Towards Resilient Civic Prosperity.

+ The Sponsor’s Choice Award was presented to team IDC40142 from University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) for their project Miracai – A Journey Through Stories and Streams.

+ Finally, the Audience Choice Award went to the project The Living Heritage Flow”from Chiang Mai University, Thailand.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung, Vice President of UEH, and Mr. Nguyen Khac Toan, Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, awarded the First Prize to the team from Chulalongkorn University for their project Nha Trang Elasticity

Dr. Dinh Cong Khai, Vice President of UEH, and Mr. Chau Ngo Anh Nhan, Director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Finance, presented the Second Prize to the student team from Van Lang University for their project (Re)urban - REVitalizing the Riverfront City.

Dr. Park Sangwoo, former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of South Korea, and Dr. Park Young June, Honorary Rector of UEH School of Technology and Design, awarded the Third Prize to the student team from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology for their project Threads city - Stitching urban fabrics of nha trang city towards resilient civic prosperity

Representatives of the competition’s sponsor awarded the Sponsor’s Choice Prize to Team IDC40142 from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City for their project Miracai – A journey through stories and streams

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet – Chairwoman of the Strategy and Policy Advisory Council and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh - Director of the UEH Institute of Smart City and Management awarded the Audience Choice Prize for the students from Chiang Mai University (Thailand) with the project The living heritage flow

In addition, the remaining teams in the Top 15 outstanding projects were also awarded certificates - marking an important milestone and recognizing their dedication throughout the competition journey.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Khanh Nam - Rector of UEH College of Economics, Law and Government, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Ha Minh Quan - Executive Dean of ISB awarded certificates for teams in the Top 15

Besides, The Organizing Committee also presented gifts as a token of gratitude to the sponsors and judges who had accompanied the competition throughout the past six months.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice President of UEH and Mr. Nguyen Khac Toan, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa Province presented appreciation gifts to the sponsors and judges of the competition

The success of the competition has generated highly feasible ideas to transform the Cai River corridor into Nha Trang’s new “Heritage Route,” harmoniously linking traditional landscapes with the spirit of a modern urban environment. This marks an important step toward realizing the goal of building Nha Trang into a sustainable multi-center city under Decision 259/QĐ-TTg (2024) of the Prime Minister, while reaffirming UEH’s role in co-creating knowledge and solutions for local development.

Teams participating in the 4th International Design Competition took a commemorative photo with the organizing committee.

Other images at the 4th International Design Competition Award Ceremony:

Guests visit the exhibition of the projects

Representative of the team from Chiang Mai University shared their reflections on the competition

Representative of Miracai project shared emotional remarks upon receiving the Sponsor Choice award

Representative from Threads city - Stitching urban fabrics of nha trang city towards resilient civic prosperity project expressed about the journey of participating the competition