Launching Event of the EU-Vietnam Sustainable Design Awards (EVSDA)
HCMC – The Launching Event of the EU-Vietnam Sustainable Design Awards (EVSDA) will take place on May 17, 2025, at TDX Ice Factory, Ho Chi Minh City. Under the theme of “Design for Everyday Life”, this event marks a key milestone in the EVSDA Project. Initiated by the EU Delegation, the EVSDA project is committed to the proliferation of sustainable design practices in Vietnam, and the development of communities around these practices; in doing so, the aim is to ultimately contribute to Vietnam’s sustainable inclusive development – indeed one of the priorities in the EU’s engagement with the country.
The launch of the EU-Vietnam Sustainable Design Awards (EVSDA) offers a unique platform for designers, practitioners, experts, and sustainability enthusiasts to connect, exchange ideas, and explore emerging trends through insightful talks from Vietnamese and European experts. This occasion also marks the introduction of the distinguished Jury Board – influential professionals from the field of design and creative practice across Europe and Vietnam – to the Vietnamese sustainable design community.
Under the theme “Design for Everyday Life,” the first season of EVSDA embraces design solutions as essential and deeply embedded in modern living. The design process—comprising research, development, communication, distribution, user feedback, and ongoing improvement—ensures high-quality products and spaces that enhance everyday experiences worldwide.
EVSDA introduces a distinctive interdisciplinary approach that connects Sustainable Architecture Design, Product Design, Communication Design, and Innovation. This integrated perspective facilitates meaningful exchanges of ideas and practices, fostering innovation while conveying clear and fundamental insights into the essence of design to the broader community.
Award Structure:
The EVSDA will present awards in four main categories: Sustainable Architecture Design, Product Design, Communication Design, and Innovation. Each category will have a similar award structure as follows:
- 1 Grand Prize: A one-week residency and exchange program at a European design studio.
- 2 Jury Commendations: Recognising projects that convincingly convey sustainability messages to the jury.
- 1 Audience Choice prize: A pair of round-trip tickets from Turkish Airlines to Europe.
Detailed information of the project can be found at https://www.eeas.europa.eu/evsda-vietnam_en
Introducing the EVSDA Jury Board
Chair of the EVSDA Jury – Ms. Valéria Bessolo Llopiz, Chief Content Officer, International Director/ELLE & ELLE Decoration
With 30 years of experience working across multicultural environments, Valéria Bessolo Llopiz is a leading expert in international brand strategy, concept development, and editorial and creative direction. Her core expertise spans media, luxury, fashion, and design, with a strong focus on responsible communication and CSR across both the media and high-end industries.
She is recognized for developing innovative, creative, and collaborative strategies for global brands across both print and digital platforms. Her portfolio includes directing strategic narratives for fashion collections (RTW and accessories), as well as spearheading initiatives that embed sustainability into brand storytelling.
As International Director of ELLE & ELLE Decoration, Valéria oversees the global presence of the brand in over 45 countries — with print and digital editions across five continents – shaping content around fashion, beauty, culture, society, lifestyle, and design.
She is recognized for developing innovative, creative, and collaborative strategies for global brands across both print and digital platforms. Her portfolio includes directing strategic narratives for fashion collections (RTW and accessories), as well as spearheading initiatives that embed sustainability into brand storytelling.
As International Director of ELLE & ELLE Decoration, Valéria oversees the global presence of the brand in over 45 countries — with print and digital editions across five continents – shaping content around fashion, beauty, culture, society, lifestyle, and design.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriabessolollopiz/
Sustainable Architecture Design Jury
Architect Tue Hesselberg Foged, Co-Founder, Creative Director/EFFEKT
Tue Foged is the Co-founder and Creative Director of EFFEKT, where he bridges analytical precision with artistic vision across a range of award-winning projects.
With a high level of empathy, a deep understanding of place and a holistic approach to architecture, urbanism, landscape and research, he shapes impactful design solutions that address today’s major social and environmental challenges.
His portfolio spans diverse typologies, from innovative master plans to immersive architectural and landscape projects. He has led the design of internationally recognized destinations such as Camp Adventure Tower (2019), Hamaren Activity Park (2021), and Vejle Viewpoints (2019), as well as the transformation of industrial spaces into vibrant community hubs like GAME Streetmekka Esbjerg (2016) and GAME Streetmekka Viborg (2018).
At the 2021 Venice Biennale of Architecture, EFFEKT explored the question “How will we live together?” – challenging conventional ways of living, building, and consuming while reimagining a future in balanced co-existence with nature. This thinking continues to shape Tue’s work, ensuring that every project is a step toward more resilient, connected, and liveable environments.
https://www.effekt.dk/speaker-profiles
Architect Vu Linh Quang, Managing Director/ARDOR Green
Vu Linh Quang is the Managing Director of ARDOR Green, specializing in sustainable building design. He actively engages in research and education in Architecture and Green Building. Quang’s extensive training in Denmark, Australia, and New Zealand has provided him with valuable insights and practical experience.
His portfolio features a diverse range of projects in Vietnam, including sustainable architectural designs for commercial and residential spaces, high-rise complexes, and master planning initiatives. He also serves as the Board Director of the Vietnam Green Building Council and is the Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Green Architecture Club, among other professional organizations. Additionally, Quang contributes to academia by teaching sustainable design at various universities.
Product Design Jury
Designer Sabine Marcelis, Founder /Studio Sabine Marcelis
Sabine Marcelis is a Dutch designer who runs her practice from the harbor of Rotterdam. After graduating from the Design Academy of Eindhoven in 2011, Marcelis began working as an independent designer within the fields of product, installation and spatial design with a strong focus on materiality.
riality.
Her work is characterized by pure forms which highlight material properties. Marcelis applies a strong aesthetic point of view to her collaborations with industry specialists. This method of working allows her to intervene in the manufacturing process, using material research and experimentation to achieve new and surprising visual effects for projects both showcased in museums and commissioned by commercial clients and fashion houses.
Sabine considers her designs to be true sensorial experiences: the experience becomes the function, with a refined and unique aesthetic. Her work has been acquired into the permanent collection of Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and The National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, AU among others.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Khanh, Founder and Chairman/AA Corporation
Nguyen Quoc Khanh is the Founder and Chairman of AA Corporation, Vietnam’s leading high-end interior contractor and bespoke furniture manufacturer. With over three decades of experience, he has positioned AA Corporation as a global name in hospitality interior fit-outs, with projects spanning across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
As Chairman of the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA) for three consecutive terms, Mr. Khanh is the co-founder of three major trade fairs in Vietnam’s furniture industry: VIFA Fair, HawaExpo Fair, and Vibe Fair – all of which are owned and operated by the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA).
Deeply inspired by global trends in green living and conscious design, Khanh fosters a work culture at AA Corporation that values longevity, craftsmanship, and ecological balance. He encourages the use of certified sustainable materials, clean energy initiatives, and design strategies that reduce waste and promote life cycle thinking.
https://aacorporation.com/projects
Communication Design Jury
Artist Angela Rui, Curator, Head Master of Arts/Istituto Europeo di Design Milano
Angela Rui is an internationally renowned design curator and researcher with a multidisciplinary background spanning from design practice to criticism and teaching, with over 15 years of experience in curating in the field of contemporary design and creating publications that have redefined the critical landscape of contemporary design, including “ITALY: A New Collective Landscape” (ADI Design Museum, Milan 2023; HKDI Gallery, Hong Kong 2024; Italian Pavilion Expo2010, Shanghai 2024), a project exploring new trajectories of Italian design in relation to collective and territorial dimensions.
Her curatorial research also includes “AQUARIA. Or the Illusion of a Boxed Sea” (Maat, Lisbon 2021) and the book “The Aquarium is a Listening Glass” (Humboldt Books, 2024), works investigating the relationships between culture and design in the context of ecology and the representation of marine ecosystems.
Her academic activity reflects her commitment to training a new generation of designers aware of contemporary challenges. She has taught in the Social Design and GEO-Design master’s programs at Design Academy Eindhoven (NL), sharing her vision of design as a tool for social transformation. Her pedagogical contribution extends to the University of Design of San Marino, the New Academy of Fine Arts Milan (NABA), and the Faculty of Design at the Politecnico del Design, where she has trained generations of designers with a critical and systemic approach.
Her critical writing has found expression in industry publications such as Abitare, Domus, Icon Design, Pinup, Riposte, Vogue, TLmag, Terraforma Journal, Flashart Italia, and Lotus, significantly contributing to the theoretical debate on contemporary design and its socio-ecological implications.
Artist Vu Thien Phuong, Director, Photographer and Co-Founder/Antiantiart
Born into the culture-rich center of Hanoi, Vietnam, Phuong is currently a young director instilling quality and dedication into every project he does.
Starting out as a fashion photographer, Phuong naturally transitioned into directing and brought with him an incredible talent for handling different styles and utilizing textures. Having 10+ years of experience as a dancer, Phuong also expresses impeccable musicality and rhythm in his work. With extensive knowledge in being a producer as well, Phuong knows it takes a whole lot more than just creativity to craft a perfect video project.
Phuong’s extensive collection of work notably includes music videos with international and Vietnam’s top artists like BBNO$, Đen, Bích Phương, MCK, tlinh, Suboi, Chi Pu, De Choat, MIN and many more.
Phuong’s extensive list of trusted partners includes Apple, VTV, Porsche, Netflix, Vietnam Airlines, Samsung, Piaggio, Heineken, Yamaha, Panasonic, VinFast, Garena, VNG, 88rising, Clear, and Maybelline.
https://www.instagram.com/antiantiart_/#
Innovation Jury
Designer Simon Betsch, Managing Partner/KMS Team
Simon Betsch is Managing Partner and CEO at KMS TEAM, one of the leading agency in strategy development and design in Germany.
He works with national and international clients on market and customer success strategies focusing branding and strategic brand positioning. He combines strategic foresight with creative thinking to build sustainable brand strategies in complex environments. His work integrates economic and social considerations to help companies leverage their potential and create solutions that benefit both business and humans.
His experience includes consulting for companies like Audi, BMW Motorrad, Canyon Bicycles, JINS, Miele, Volkswagen or ZEISS, focusing on how brands can become promises that foster trust and create lasting relationships. By emphasizing transparency and responsibility, he helps organizations shape identities that resonate with customers and society.
Ms. Vien Ngoc Bich, Political, Press and Information Section/Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam
Vien Ngoc Bich is in charge of communications and press at the EU Delegation, where she has worked for over 20 years, gaining a deep understanding of EU policies and activities in Vietnam.
She has been involved in developing and implementing various communications and public diplomacy campaigns for the EU Delegation, and has supported the promotion of community, cultural and creative projects.
About “EU-Vietnam Sustainable Design Awards” (EVSDA)
The EVSDA project consists of four main thematic pillars which correspond to the four categories of the Awards: Sustainable Architecture Design, Product Design, Communication Design, and Innovation. Through the cultural and creative dimensions brought about by these pillars, the project aims to highlight how sustainable and innovative design practices can engender concrete and positive experiences in our daily life.
Implemented in partnership with Elle Decoration Vietnam, realised in partnership with and funded by the EU’s Cultural Relations Platform initiative, the first phase of the EVSDA project consists of a series of events and activities between September 2024 and spring 2025, culminating in the inauguration of the Awards in mid-2025. Thereafter, the second phase of the project will be the long-run organisation of the EVSDA on an annual basis.
Sharing about the objectives of the EVSDA project, EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier said: “The project reflects our ambition to develop an innovative framework to support and facilitate the transformation of our lives in a creative way. With this project, I very much look forward to connecting with Vietnamese architects, designers, artists, engineers, cultural practitioners and innovators who will create a bridge between the world of the arts and culture on one side and that of science and technology on the other, to bring in many inspiring ideas combining sustainability, practicality and aesthetics, for the benefit of our daily life. We need all creative minds to make this project a success.”
Media contact: Ms Vien Ngoc Bich, at the Politics, Press and Information Section, EU Delegation, tel: 024-39461783 or email: bich.vien@eeas.europa.eu
The original press release can be found at https://www.eeas.europa.eu/evsda-vietnam-launch-press_en