Top 10 Beautiful Architectural Works in Vietnam

School in Binh Duong, covering a total area of 6,560 square meters, is a stunning design by architect Võ Trọng Nghĩa. The building is uniquely designed with a maximum height of five stories to blend seamlessly with the surrounding trees. The school features a system of louvers aimed at generating natural ventilation for the entire campus.

Notre-Dame Cathedral was designed by French architect Jules Bourard and opened in 1880. The cathedral combines Romanesque architecture with Gothic elements. Its nave measures 133 meters from the entrance to the farthest end of the prayer hall, with a width of 35 meters and a height of 21 meters.

The cathedral features a grand nave, bell towers, and a surrounding park. A standout feature is the brick wall made of materials from Marseille, while the Swiss-made clock at the front of the cathedral has been running for over 140 years. The bell tower, considered the soul of the church, originally housed six bells in 1895. Among them, the Son bell weighs nearly 8.8 tons and is one of the largest bells in the world.

With its minimalist design, the Stone Pagoda in Nha Trang, designed by A21 Studio, is listed among the Top 7 Most Impressive Religious Buildings. The pagoda is a simple structure located beside the Cai River in Nha Trang, nestled within a garden. Its floor and roof are made from large, 4-ton stone slabs, placed on a steel beam system. According to the designers, the concept of the Stone Pagoda is inspired by Prince Siddhartha Gautama meditating under the Bodhi tree 2,600 years ago. Compared to the other six structures in the Top 7, the Stone Pagoda was built with a much lower budget.

Bitexco Tower is a towering skyscraper located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, covering an area of nearly 6,100 m². With an estimated investment of $400 million, the building rises 262 meters with 68 floors. It stands as a symbol of Ho Chi Minh City's architecture, representing Vietnam's rapid growth, international integration, and the dynamic spirit of its youth. Designed as a top-tier destination for businesses, the tower embodies endless inspiration. The design is inspired by the shape of a lotus bud, reflecting Vietnam’s cultural heritage and the nation’s aspiration to rise.

The Golden Bridge in Da Nang is located atop Ba Na Hill. Although it's called a bridge, it doesn’t span across any river. The bridge itself is 12.8 meters wide, nearly 150 meters long, with eight spans, the longest being 21.2 meters. The design is truly remarkable, with two massive, weathered hands emerging from the mountainside, holding the golden silk ribbon suspended in the sky. This architectural marvel is also known as the Hands Bridge and has become one of the must-visit spots for photos when traveling to Da Nang.

At a length of 150 meters and situated 1,414 meters above sea level, the Golden Bridge creates a pathway through the clouds, offering a view of Ba Na Mountain’s misty, ethereal landscape. From the hands, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the sprawling pristine forest and, in the distance, the entire beautiful city of Da Nang.

Hang Nga Villa was designed by architect Đặng Việt Nga and has often been criticized for its unconventional architectural style. The villa comprises several buildings, guest houses, a café, and an art gallery, all with a unique design. The interiors feature caves, winding hallways, spiral staircases, quirky furniture, and oversized animal statues. There are no straight lines or right angles—everything appears as if it has melted under intense heat and solidified into unusual shapes. Between the buildings, concrete tree trunks, twisted roots, and giant spider webs made of wire add to the surreal atmosphere. One of the rooms is inside a giant giraffe sculpture.

This distinctive and unusual design has made the villa a global architectural landmark. Inspired by nature and the forms of ancient tree trunks, the architect sought to create a vision of architecture that is both innovative and scientific. Hang Nga Villa is recognized as one of the world’s most bizarre buildings, according to Archdaily.

Pullman Vung Tau, located at 15 Thi Sach, Thang Tam Ward, Vung Tau City, is another architectural marvel considered one of the prominent structures of modern Vietnam. The design concept of Pullman Vung Tau is inspired by the shapes of ocean waves, highlighting the image of a modern landmark in this coastal city.

The complex consists of several key sections: the central conference and exhibition hall – a two-story spherical structure serving as an international conference and exhibition center; the 5-star hotel – an elliptical 13-story building covering 33,679 m²; the luxury tourist apartments – a 10-story building designed in a circular shape with about 166 units; and the service block – a 6-story building with a 7,640 m² area dedicated to entertainment and leisure services.

The kindergarten in Bien Hoa, Dong Nai, has achieved international recognition by making it into the top 30 most beautiful buildings worldwide, as ranked by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The school spans 3,430 square meters, with all classrooms and functional rooms located below ground level. Its innovative design ensures a cool and airy environment while eliminating the need for air conditioning, offering children a natural and healthy play space. Sustainable features such as solar panels, water filtration systems, and ventilation windows are extensively utilized to maximize the building's sustainability.

Out of hundreds of architectural designs, the "House for Trees" (Five-Block Green-Covered House) by Võ Trọng Nghĩa Architects won the residential category at the 2014 World Architecture Festival, one of the most prestigious architecture events globally. Covering 350 square meters, the house is divided into five prism-shaped blocks, each with a rooftop garden capable of supporting greenery. It is the first structure in Vietnam constructed using bamboo concrete formwork. The entire roof is covered with vegetation, offering a cooling effect while addressing pollution and the lack of green spaces in the crowded Saigon cityscape.

Dài Lãi Conference Center won the prestigious International Architecture Award in 2013, one of the most esteemed recognitions in the global architectural community. The first striking feature of the building is the 8-meter tall stone wall, standing firmly on three grassy mounds.

The interior offers the sound of gently rustling stone, bamboo, and the surrounding landscape. Outside, the stone appears rugged, while inside, the slate is cut into rectangular blocks with gaps, capturing both sound and the texture of the surfaces. The stone surfaces naturally blend with the 26 bamboo frames, each bound with 42 to 46 bamboo poles. The frames are set on the curved outer wall and the straight inner wall.

The main facade faces south, distinguished by three grassy mounds and the stone wall. Two entrances are marked by rows of tall, evenly spaced trees, softening the heaviness of the earth mounds and stone wall. The combination of stone, earth, and the landscape of trees like the straight-leafed lim and royal are highlighted on the front facade.