While I am thrilled about the modernist and experimental directions of Vietnamese house architecture, I am aware that Việt Nam has a long history of modernist architecture that has a distinctive Vietnamese flavor. Việt Nam's explorations in modernist art and architecture paralleled the evolution of modernist architecture in Europe and the Americas, whereas in most Asian countries, design has lagged the world evolution in design.
I think that the southern Vietnamese have an innate sense of design that motivates them to develop strong ideas in architecture, as well as allied arts in fashion and graphic design.
This detail from an old house in my neighborhood of TP. Hồ Chí Minh shows this spirit of experimentation in modernist design.
While the composition may not be very well resolved, the fact that the owner of this utilitarian house felt strongly enough to have such decoration applied to the house speaks to the sense of design that the Vietnamese value.
I took the following photo in 1972 because I was amazed to find modernist architecture alongside the French Colonial architecture that I expected to find in Việt Nam.
This photograph was taken recently, but this villa probably dates back to the 60s or 70s, and is unfortunately in an area that will be redeveloped soon.
