Header: VMARK
The seventh VMARK Vietnam Design Week 2026 has officially drawn to a close after two days of intense activity from 9 to 10 June 2026. Hosted at the Thiskyhall Sala Center in Thủ Đức City, Ho Chi Minh City, the event put forward a bold proposition for the region. Under the central theme of “DESIGN | RECREATING THE WORLD,” this edition was endorsed by the VDAS Design Association HCMC, Vietnam. The gathering successfully advanced the idea that design is not just about creating attractive images but a practical investment that directly shapes the future of the creative economy and sustainable business growth.
Inside the DESIGNITY 2026 exhibition area
The event took over a massive footprint, converting more than 4,000 square metres of the convention centre into a busy ecosystem for industry professionals. At the heart of this setup was the DESIGNITY 2026 exhibition model. This exhibition was a strategic partnership between VMARK and VIFA EXPO, showcasing advanced material choices and breakthrough solutions for mid- to high-end markets. The exhibition floor featured 220 booths and 150 exhibitors divided into four clear groups: indoor and outdoor furniture, new materials with advanced applications, smart home systems, and product design for innovative consumer goods.
The two-day showcase recorded more than 2,500 trade visitors. The crowd was highly professional, consisting of 50% architects and designers, 40% real estate investors and business owners, and 10% from education, media, and various international associations. Major strategic sponsors like An Cuong, HTM Homes, Blum Vietnam, and TCL backed this industry shift by presenting green material options and smart housing technologies. Alongside the displays, the exhibition area offered workshops, demonstrations, and direct networking opportunities to connect suppliers with developers and specifiers.
Global experts lead the International Design Summit
While the exhibition floor remained busy, the International Design Summit ran from 8 am to 5 pm on both days, drawing massive crowds. The summit brought together more than 30 global speakers across three deep-dive sessions to talk about waste, water, energy, and production methods.
The first session, titled “Circular & Regenerative Living Space — Design to Restore, Live to Regenerate,” opened the summit with discussions on green design philosophy and environmental duty. The conversation was guided by moderator Ms Nhai Pham. The panel of speakers included the architect Hiroyuki Niwa, architect Joe Lin, architect Dinh Quang Anh, architect David Ching Heng Hoe, architect Hai Nguyen, Dr Jeanne Lee, Ms Kim Nguyen, and Professor Koji Sakai, alongside insights from Steve Leung. They looked closely at indoor wellness, energy use, and how design choices alter the way buildings are used.
The second session turned the focus to manufacturing, titled “Circular & Regenerative Products, Furniture — Touch, Recreate, Experience.” This discussion focused on modern technology and next-generation materials designed to improve everyday living while lowering toxicity in finishes. Moderated by Ms Van Thi Anh Thu (Tara), the speaker line-up included Ms Danh Tran, architect Massimo Mussapi, Mr Justin Wheatcroft, Mr Dang Quoc Hung, Mr Tran Quoc Manh, Ms Tessie Ho, Mr Chris Cu Tran, Mr Laurent Devos, Mr Lamine Zenakhri, and Mr John Reeves. They explored ways to build circular production pipelines and manage recycled material streams.
The final session of the summit series was “Regenerative F&B | Hospitality Experience — Nurturing the Soul, Restoring the Ecosystem.” This closing discussion outlined paths for businesses trying to adapt to new environmental realities. Moderated by Mr Long Tran, the panel featured architect Massimo Mussapi, Ms Isabella Chow, architect Cung Thanh Dat, Mr Tung Ching Yew, Ms Phan Hoang Anh, Mr Mauricio Alves, Mr Bradley W. Segal, architect Nghiem Dinh Toan, Mr Artur Hovhannisyan, architect Tran Khanh Trung, architect Steven Hsun Lee, and Mr Patrick Fong. Their talks centred on food systems, climate response, and future resort planning. In parallel to these main summits, an intensive Minitalk series ran inside the exhibition halls, offering a practical space for practitioners to share construction techniques and solve commercial and aesthetic problems.
Celebrating excellence at the VMARK Design Award Gala night
The two-day programme reached its peak on the evening of 10 June with the VMARK Design Award 2026 Gala Ceremony, held from 6 pm to 10 pm. A distinguished international jury panel evaluated the submissions, featuring Mr Hiroyuki Niwa (President of JID Japan), Mr Koji Sakai (Board of Directors of JID Japan), Mr Tung Ching Yew (Managing Director of SODA Singapore), Mr Danilo Trevisan (Italian Design Association – IDA), architect Massimo Mussapi, and Mr Artur Hovhannisyan.
Outstanding projects were selected across 12 specialised categories, including Interior Sustainable Design, Architecture Sustainable Design, Hospitality and F&B Excellence, Real-Estate and Property Design, and Industrial Product, Branding and Lifestyle Design.
Commenting on the quality of this year’s event, Mr Ho Tan Duong, President of VDAS, stated that the registered submissions continued to validate the prestige of the award; they not only achieve high aesthetics but also deeply integrate sustainability and cultural identity, proving that Vietnamese design is proactively shaping its own unique values on the global map.
Furthermore, Ms Tran Ngoc Danh, Founder & CEO of VMARK Vietnam Design Week & Award, emphasised:
“Throughout our 7-year journey, VMARK has always stood firm in one belief: Design does not just create beauty; it generates value, drives innovation, and contributes to shaping a more sustainable future. This year’s event continues to affirm VMARK’s role as an international bridge, while elevating Vietnamese design, architecture, and brands into the global market in the coming years with invaluable resonance from the global creative community.”
Representing the strategic partner, Mr Dang Quoc Hung, Chairman of the Board & General Director of Lien Minh VIFA Expo Corporation, remarked:
“The synergy between VMARK’s breakthrough design thinking and VIFA EXPO’s trade promotion capabilities through DESIGNITY 2026 not only opens up an effective B2B trading platform but also helps materialize a sustainable supply chain, bringing Vietnamese furniture products and solutions deeper into the global market.”
The evening concluded with a large-scale artistic fashion show, providing a creative end to the event. The milestone was supported by international trade promotion agencies and chambers of commerce, including VIETRADE, VCCI, ITA, KOCHAM, the Hong Kong Design Centre, HKTDC, and the India Chamber, all working to help put Vietnamese design on the global map.
