Architecture has much to learn from Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, with an estimated more than 70 percent of its population in areas prone to typhoons and flooding. With more than 2,000 kilometers of coastline and vast river deltas, it is estimated that by 2100 much of the Mekong Delta could be submerged. At the same time, Vietnamese cities are growing rapidly in density and height, often without regard for critical environmental concerns. Modern buildings with glass facades and air-conditioned interiors are proliferating in many urban areas, a model that many planners consider unsuitable for the local tropical climate.

In response, some studies propose solutions inspired by vernacular traditions and climatic conditions, with the aim of reducing the vulnerability of urban settlements to extreme weather events.