From an International Architecture Competition to a Sustainable Development Vision for the University

An International-Scale Competition Attracting Leading Consulting Firms

The competition attracted the participation of numerous domestic and international architectural and planning consultancies from countries and regions with well-developed architectural traditions. All competing teams were established brands with experience in implementing large-scale projects and making significant contributions to architecture, planning, and urban development.

The objective of the competition was to propose a landscape architectural design and a comprehensive 1/500 master plan for the University of Economics – Vietnam National University, Hanoi at Hoa Lac, aiming to create a modern, sustainable university campus with a strong identity and long-term expandability.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truc Le – Chairman of the University Council of the University of Economics – VNU, Hanoi, speaking at the jury session

Round 1: Rigorous Screening, Establishing a Professional Foundation

In Round 1, the Jury evaluated the submissions based on a strict set of criteria, including overall planning concepts, architectural solutions, spatial organization, feasibility, and long-term development potential.

According to the Jury’s assessment, many proposals demonstrated creative thinking and diverse approaches. However, to fully meet the requirements for functionality, operation, and the university’s sustainable development orientation, the three most outstanding proposals were selected to advance to Round 2 and were required to further refine and adjust their designs over a one-month period.

The decision to organize a second evaluation round reflected the Organizing Committee’s seriousness, objectivity, and openness, ensuring the highest possible quality for the final outcome.

Overview of the Round 1 jury session with the participation of the Jury and competing teams

Round 2: A Highly Professional Working Atmosphere with In-Depth Critique

Round 2 was conducted with extended presentation and Q&A sessions, allowing teams to clarify the adjustments made since the previous round. The Jury carefully examined each proposal, from the overall planning structure, iconic buildings, and central spatial organization to traffic solutions, landscape design, and future expansion capacity.

The evaluation session took place in a serious, focused, and professional atmosphere. The Jury worked continuously for many hours, engaging in discussion and critique in a scientific and constructive spirit. Overall feedback indicated that many Round 2 proposals demonstrated breakthrough architectural thinking, approaching the university as a “living organism” capable of flexibly adapting to future growth in training scale across different development phases.

Round 2 – The Jury working in a focused manner, engaging in professional discussion and critique during the evaluation process

Jury Panel: Prestige, Experience, and Impartiality

The Jury consisted of 11 leading experts in the fields of planning, architecture, urban management, and higher education. With deep professional expertise and extensive practical experience, the Jury members ensured that the evaluation process was conducted objectively, transparently, and in full compliance with regulations.

The Jury’s full and responsible participation was a key factor contributing to the competition’s credibility, while also enabling a comprehensive and multi-dimensional assessment of the proposals before proceeding to the final selection stage.

Representatives of the competing teams presenting their design proposals in Round 2

IMG Group – Partnering to Create Value for Education and the Community

As the main sponsor, IMG Group accompanied the University of Economics – Vietnam National University, Hanoi with a total sponsorship value of VND 10 billion. Through this competition, IMG continues to affirm its orientation toward creating iconic projects while making tangible contributions to the development of education and the community.

According to representatives of IMG Group, sponsoring the competition was not only intended to support the search for high-quality design solutions, but also to demonstrate the company’s long-term commitment to accompanying socially meaningful projects, aiming toward sustainable values for future generations.

From the university’s perspective, representatives of the University of Economics – VNU, Hanoi regarded the competition as an important initial step in the roadmap for developing its campus at Hoa Lac. The competition results will serve as a foundation for further research, refinement, and implementation of the solution best aligned with the university’s long-term development strategy.

The competition is not merely about awarding prizes, but aims to select a proposal with real-world implementability, consistent with the development orientation of the University of Economics – VNU, Hanoi in the phases 2030 – 2040 – 2050.

Several exemplary design proposals highly rated by the Jury for their concepts and feasibility