Asia's top architecture, hospitality awards ceremony held in Vietnam's 150-million-year-old cave for first time

The Asia Architecture Design Awards and the Asia Hospitality Awards took place inside Ngoc Rong Cave, marking the first time the event has been hosted in Vietnam after three previous editions organized at renowned venues across Asia, including Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, SO/Bangkok in Thailand, and The Shilla Seoul in South Korea.

Located within the Vung Duc cave complex, Ngoc Rong becomes both a natural wonder and a cultural canvas, with its towering limestone columns, dramatic stalactites, and stable year-round temperature of 23 to 25 degrees Celsius.

Held under the theme ‘Influential Asia,’ this year's awards honored architects, designers, developers, hospitality brands, and tour operators that are helping shape Asia's global standing through innovation, cultural identity, and sustainable development.

Speaking at the ceremony, jury chairman Tan Quee Peng said the event represented more than a celebration of excellence in architecture, design, and hospitality.

"It took nature more than 150 million years to create Ngoc Rong Cave,” he said.

“Today, we honor the people who are building the future through creativity, responsibility, and a commitment to creating lasting value for communities,” he stressed.

He emphasized that each project was aimed at improving quality of life, preserving cultural heritage, and introducing new approaches to sustainable development.

Alongside outstanding projects from Thailand, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, Vietnamese entries stood out across a wide range of categories, from residential developments to hotels and luxury resorts.

More than 20 Vietnamese projects received awards in the architecture category, highlighting the country's growing influence in the regional design landscape.

Peng said that the Vietnamese winners reflect the remarkable maturity of architectural and design thinking, not only in technical excellence but also in their ability to generate long-term value for society.

Projects such as Sola Peninsula and One Central Saigon, together with LandProduction by Landco Corporation, were recognized as examples of Vietnam's expanding capabilities in manufacturing, craftsmanship, architecture, interior design, and construction.

"These projects are not only professionally outstanding but are also helping shape the future of cities and communities across Asia," he said.

In the hospitality and tourism categories, this year's awards highlighted the growing popularity of eco-resorts, boutique hotels, and next-generation hospitality concepts that emphasize authenticity, local culture, and meaningful human connections.

Among the notable winners were Ulaman Eco Luxury Resort in Bali, Indonesia; Sataa Resort Nan in Thailand; and Athena Premium Cruise in Vietnam.

Heritage meets contemporary art

One of the defining features of this year's ceremony was its extraordinary venue.

Ngoc Rong Cave, a geological wonder formed more than 150 million years ago, provided a dramatic natural setting with its vast chambers and impressive stalactite formations.

The heritage space was transformed into a unique performance venue through the use of 3D mapping technology, contemporary music, and artistic performances, creating an immersive experience that blended nature with modern creativity.

Hosting an international event inside the cave not only celebrated achievements in architecture and tourism but also showcased Vietnam as an emerging destination for world-class cultural, artistic, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events.

The organizers also officially launched the 2027 edition under the theme ‘Visionary Asia.’

Both the architecture and hospitality awards will adopt a continuous evaluation and announcement process throughout the competition season.

The next awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Thailand.