A Shared Vision for Hanoi
This accolade is a testament to the power of cross-border collaboration. Red River Dragon Park ↗ proves that when designers from Indonesia and Vietnam come together to tackle shared regional challenges, we can nurture visions that are not only culturally profound but ecologically revolutionary.
A River Disconnected
The Red River has always been the lifeblood of Hanoi, yet its banks have become a barrier. The site today is defined by ecological fragmentation. Degraded, prone to frequent flooding, and suffering from unstable sediment, the riverbank is currently an underutilized edge disconnected from the city it birthed. The conventional response might be to build walls or concrete embankments to control the water. But we asked a different question: What if we learned to flow with the river instead of fighting it?
The Dragon as a Living System
Our winning proposal, Red River Dragon Park, reimagines the riverbank as a “living landscape.” The design draws deep inspiration from the Ly Dynasty Dragon, a symbol of the prosperous era when the capital moved to Thang Long. But this form is not merely aesthetic; it is functional.
- Aligning with Nature’s Rhythm:
The meandering shape of the park mimics the natural flow of the Red River itself, guiding water from North to South while opening views toward the East and West. - Amphibious Design:
Instead of blocking water, the park is designed to absorb it. We utilized the river’s dynamic hydrological conditions to create green buffers. - Ecological Restoration:
The design actively restores the site’s ecological function. We introduced sandbar forests, wetlands, and seasonally changing edges. These features stabilize the sediment and filter pollution, transforming a neglected flood zone into a thriving, regenerative habitat.
A Hybrid Public Park
The Ashui Awards ↗ selection of this project as the “Future of Vietnam” highlights a critical shift in urban planning. The Red River Dragon Park is a hybrid model: it is simultaneously a civic destination and an ecological machine. It proves that we can turn “limited access” zones into places of learning and joy. The park invites the community back to the water’s edge, offering a space where urban life meets ecological performance.
Collaboration for a Resilient Future
This win is a victory for the collaborative spirit. It demonstrates that the challenges of the Asian landscape are best solved together. By combining our multidimensional expertise with enCity, we have proven that the future of our cities lies in “designing with nature,” turning our most vulnerable landscapes into our most valuable assets.
The Dragon is no longer just a myth; it is a blueprint for a resilient Hanoi.
