(VOVworld) – The Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association held a ceremony in Hanoi on Thursday to present the Ashui Awards 2015. The award honors architects, who have contributed to promoting the role of architecture in society and sustainable development.

Hoang Thuc Hao, a lecturer at the University of Construction, received the title “Architect of the year”. In 2015, Hao and his studio won the award at the World Architecture Festival for civil community-building in Cam Thanh Commune, Hoi An City. He said: “It’s important to develop green and solid architectures and structures for low-income earners and farmers. Architectures should apply new technologies but adaptable to Vietnam. It is also essential to integrate traditional culture into architecture.”

The annual Ashui Awards for architects and buildings has been supported by the Viet Nam Urban Planning and Development Association since 2012. It honors architects who have designed or built outstanding structures and their contribution to Vietnamese architecture.