DETCACI 2025 International Event: Honoring Asian Cultural Identity in Designing

On March 27–28, 2025, the international design competition and academic conference titled “Design in Evolving Technology: Celebrating Asian Cultural Identities” officially took place at Van Lang University. The event was jointly organized by the Faculty of Arts & Design and the Asian Cultural Academy, gathering experts from South Korea, China, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. 

Dr. Vo Van Tuan, Standing Vice President of Van Lang University, affirmed: “Van Lang University is committed to promoting humanistic values through education and research. We strive to become a cultural hub connecting Vietnamese culture, fostering creativity to preserve and enhance traditional values.” Dr. Tuan also expressed pride in the Faculty of Arts & Design being ranked in the top 51–100 globally in Performing Arts and 101–150 in Design by the QS World University Rankings 2025. DETCACI 2025 stands as a testament to the academic community’s continuous efforts in promoting international collaboration and generating positive impact.

Mr. Chun Hong Duck, representative of the Asian Cultural Academy, expressed his honor in partnering for this event and extended his gratitude to Van Lang University for such meaningful collaboration: “This event has become a strong platform for young artists to showcase their talents and cultural perspectives. The designs presented are not only works of art but also serve to connect cultures and inspire creativity.”

Following the opening ceremony, the Organizing Committee began evaluating submissions for the DETCACI 2025 design competition. Launched in January 2025, the competition attracted 67 entries from design students both domestically and internationally. Contestants were given the opportunity to research cultural themes and apply creative approaches to their design projects, enhancing their skills in presenting ideas in alignment with international judging criteria. Achieving the highest score, the project “Huong Bench” by Mai Phi Hung, a student of Interior Design at Van Lang University, was awarded the Grand Prize, showcasing the student’s capabilities and design thinking in line with global standards. 

The DETCACI 2025 international conference took place on March 28, 2025, featuring 17 presentations by experts, researchers, lecturers, and postgraduate students. The topics emphasized the integration of local and national cultural identities in design while promoting sustainability and community engagement. The conference also provided a valuable opportunity for faculty members and graduate students of the Faculty of Arts & Design to engage in international exchange and present scientific research results related to the application of heritage values in modern design. VLU students also had the honor of attending five high-quality public lectures delivered by professors from various international universities.

In the presentation titled “Line Forest Park Design in Seoul, Korea”, Prof. Dr. Chun Hyun Jin - Professor at the School of Art, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (China), and Vice President of the Asian Cultural Academy - emphasized that effective design must stem from actual needs and be compatible with the cultural context of its users. Aiming to regenerate areas surrounding railway lines, the project deployed multiple models with diverse functions, encouraging community participation and enhancing sustainability.

Assoc. Prof. Rittirong Chutapruttikorn, former Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Bangkok University (Thailand), introduced the project “Mother and Child Center at Klong Prem Central Women’s Correctional Facility.” Based on field research, the team successfully simulated functional spaces to support incarcerated mothers with infants, while also providing an initial analysis for a research and design project aimed at improving educational quality within the facility.

Discussing the impact of young Vietnamese artists and designers on cultural identity, Dr. Ho Thi Thanh Nhan - Lecturer at the Faculty of Arts & Design, Van Lang University - offered numerous examples of innovation in the arts. She demonstrated how the creative contributions of the younger generation enrich and preserve the nation’s cultural traditions. Dr. Nhan emphasized that cultural identity is formed through four pillars: worldview, core values, collective memory, and national psychology. She encouraged students to develop personal values, nurture national pride, and seek inspiration from familial and societal culture.

In a comprehensive discussion on Foodscape Design, Dr. Zhao Luoman - Lecturer at the School of Art, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (China) - explained that this nature-based solution can be applied in agriculture, aquaculture, and food production, contributing to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. She emphasized that the measurement of urban agriculture should be based on local conditions, needs, and the capacity for agricultural provision and distribution. Dr. Zhao also advised that factors such as soil quality, water resources, heat island effects, and organic waste must be carefully considered.

Citing specific data, Mr. Ray March Syahadat, Vice President of the Asian Landscape Cultural Association, highlighted the vast economic potential of Indonesia’s tourism industry. He proposed that the incorporation of cultural and heritage values in hotel and resort design should be based on elements such as patterns, sounds, scents, and decorative arts. He further recommended that businesses actively understand customer psychology to deliver high-quality experiences.

DETCACI 2025 served as a vibrant academic forum where experts and designers shared perspectives on Asian cultural identity in design. The event affirmed the spirit of international cooperation and the significant role of design in preserving and promoting traditional values. It also served as a bridge for Van Lang University’s students and lecturers to update their professional knowledge and enhance sustainable creative design skills.

News: Dang Khoa, Anh Minh
Photos: Trung Quan