Vietnam: the next wave of furniture design talent

Above: Freelance product designer Hồ Thị Thu Hà drew inspira0on from Saigon’s modern bridges for the Crossline Bench

This year marked the 21st editon of the Hoa Mai Design Award, one of Vietnam’s most respected design competitions. The competition has become a vital platform for emerging talent in the Asia Pacific region and this year included entrants from Australia. The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) partnered with the awards again, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to Vietnam’s design community and support of the next generation of top calibre designers. Through the collaboration of AHEC and the Handicraft and Wood Industry Associa0on of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA) young designers had the opportunity to craft their visions in American hardwoods, a career first for many of them.

This year’s contest once again highlighted how natural materials, particularly American red oak, can inspire innovative form, emotional storytelling, and a deeply rooted cultural expression led to the region.

Several prize-winning designs used American red oak, showcasing the species’ versatility and expressive character:

• First prize went to LUMAIRE LIGHT, a poetic reinterpretation of the lunar cycle by designers Ngô Thị Quỳnh Trang and Soi.
• Second prize was awarded to the NEST STOOL by Nguyễn Thùy Dương, inspired by the familiar Vietnamese bao steamer.
• Third prize recognised the CROSSLINE BENCH by Hồ Thị Thu Hà, drawing from the bridges of Saigon.
• The Grand Award Special Prize went to NODE by architect Lê Hữu Trường, an emotionally rich interpretation of the Vietnamese shoulder pole.

Here is a selection of the work presented:

Design duo Ngô Thị Quỳnh Trang and Soi used metal reflectors and adjustable LED for their Lumiere light, first prize winner

Duy Khanh, Chay table

My Van, Isu Chair, " a meditation-inspired design"

Nguyễn Thùy Dương created the Nest Stool, a playful reinterpretation of the bao steamer with soft curves and a minimalist form.

Architect Lê Hữu Trường won the Grand Award Special Prize with Node, a chair inspired by the Vietnamese shoulder pole and bamboo joinery.

The Thổ is Thịnh Nguyễn’s contemporary reinterpreta0on of the Thần Tài – Thổ Địa altar

Trần Tuấn Kiệt designed the Gánh Bench, a modern interpretation of the Vietnamese carrying pole that incorporates traditional joinery learned from his carpenter grandfather.