In Vietnamese life, wood has never been merely a material. From traditional homes and wooden furniture to communal houses, doors, and riverside boats, wood has long been present as a natural part of living spaces and collective memory. Across generations, Vietnamese people have used wood not only for construction, but also as a way of expressing cultural values, lifestyles, and relationships with nature.
In Huế — a city deeply rooted in heritage and architectural identity — this relationship between people and wood becomes even more visible. Wood can be found in traditional nhà rường houses, historical structures, and the slow rhythm of life that reflects the city’s enduring cultural values. For this reason, discussions about the future of the wood industry today are no longer limited to manufacturing or trade, but also involve questions of cultural preservation and the creation of sustainable living environments for future generations.
With this spirit, FOREST TALK & LINK #3 will be organized in Huế as an open platform for dialogue, bringing together cultural experts, architects, businesses, researchers, and stakeholders to explore the role of wood in contemporary life. The program approaches wood not only from an economic or construction perspective, but also through its broader connections to culture, the environment, the market, and the quality of living spaces in Vietnam.
During the program, Dr. Trần Đình Hằng will share insights into the role of wood in Huế’s daily life, from its presence in traditional architecture to the cultural values that have been preserved through generations. His presentation will offer a deeper understanding of the relationship between wood and local identity, while also opening new perspectives on preserving and promoting traditional values in a modern context.
From the perspective of markets and sustainable development, Dr. Tô Xuân Phúc from Forest Trends will discuss domestic demand for wood products, future consumption trends, and the challenge of developing legal and sustainable timber resources for Vietnam. This topic is particularly relevant as the wood industry faces increasing expectations regarding transparency, traceability, and long-term sustainability.
Meanwhile, architect Nguyễn Hữu Sơn Dương, Founder of SILAA Architects, will present practical experiences in applying wood within contemporary architecture through a number of real projects. From a design perspective, wood not only creates aesthetic value, but also contributes to living spaces that are closer to nature, emotionally engaging, and strongly connected to local identity.
What makes FOREST TALK & LINK #3 distinctive is not only the individual presentations, but also the connection between diverse perspectives — from culture and architecture to markets and policy. The program aims to encourage meaningful discussions around the idea of “using wood while sustaining forests,” contributing to a more balanced vision for the future of Vietnam’s wood sector, where market development, forest sustainability, and cultural identity can move forward together.
📍 Time: 2:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Friday, June 5, 2026
📍 Venue: Huế Design Hub – 25 Lê Lợi Street, Thuận Hóa Ward, Huế City
📍 Format: In-person & Online via Zoom
📍 Registration: https://forms.gle/fSTZ6gQQa6hRKL379
Organized by: SAWA – Association of Structure Wood Architecture – Ho Chi Minh City
Technical Support: Forest Trends