New bamboo: the everyday material that has become a symbol of Vietnamese culture

In one generation, rapid urbanisation has transformed Vietnam from a rural-based economy to an increasingly globalised economy. As the country changes economically and environmentally, it also transforms culturally. This is expressed through new buildings and urban spaces that are becoming increasingly more ‘international’ than identifiably local. Within this ever-changing context, there are attempts to maintain a connection to the increasingly fading remnants of Vietnam’s built cultural heritage. Bamboo, traditionally regarded as a ‘poor man’s material,’ has emerged as a symbol of Vietnamese culture, offering new directions for contemporary architecture.