Students "rebuild" Long Bien Market

With the theme of recreating Long Bien Market, two groups of students from Da Nang University of Architecture won the Encouragement Prize in the 2025 International Architecture Competition hosted by Hanoi University of Civil Engineering under the patronage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Dr. Le Cong Toan, Vice Rector of Da Nang University of Architecture (fourth from the left), presents awards to two student groups for their achievements at the 2025 International Architecture Competition. Photo: HV

The projects of a group of students from Da Nang University of Architecture surpassed 65 projects from students around the world and were displayed at the international architecture exhibition at Tsinghua University (China).

Student Tran Thi Bao Han, leader of the "Long Bien Market" group, said that Long Bien Market is not only a living memory for Hanoi residents but also a unique cultural and tourist space.

The team conducted field surveys at the market at various times, especially at night and in the early morning, to record the rhythm of life, behavior, sounds, lighting, and psychology of the workers.

“Through our survey, the team realized that the market is not just a place for trading but also a living space that evokes many emotions. Therefore, we developed a design plan that incorporates emotional stations for workers to experience. This allowed us to gently redesign the market in an open manner, focusing on preserving the rhythm of life, memories, and the inherent spirit of the market,” Hân described.

According to student Dang Duy Vinh, a member of the group, the solutions proposed by the group involve partial renovation, utilizing the existing structure, adjusting lighting, ventilation, resting spaces, and organizing movement flows.

The project does not require a complete overhaul of the market space but can be implemented in small phases, adapted to the actual conditions. The team hopes that the project will open up a different perspective on traditional markets, not just as urban infrastructure, but as a human space that needs to be listened to and understood.

Regarding the project "From Market to Alley," student Nguyen Ha Anh Thu, the team leader, explained that the group designed the market in a way that recognizes both streets and alleyways.

In this structure, the market is designed as a network of walkways and alleys so that people can not only trade goods but also stroll, explore, meet, and interact.

Each street within the market will be a space with its own unique character, evoking the traditional narrow alleys of Hanoi while also creating a journey of discovery that enriches the urban experience.

Student Le Nguyen Thao Vi, a member of the group, said that the design's emphasis is on soft intervention, step by step, to reduce conflict and avoid disrupting the lives of traders and workers.

In addition, the group proposed a "House in the Market" model to create stable living spaces for migrant workers who have been working in the area for a long time.

Simultaneously, a portion of the space will be used to build short-term accommodation for tourists, contributing to an expanded urban experience rather than just sightseeing.

In addition, creative spaces and workshops are incorporated into the design to create a unique identity and generate new livelihood opportunities for residents and workers.

Through these projects, the students hope to contribute to the reconstruction of Long Bien Market from a small perspective, making a small contribution to the market space as well as to the lives of the workers and small traders who are connected to the market every day.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/sinh-vien-tai-thiet-cho-long-bien-3323395.html