International Housing Workshop in Collaboration with HUCE – Deepening Understanding of Vietnamese Culture and Lifestyle to Strengthen Product Development Capabilities that Meet Local Needs

Summary

• In August 2025, NREV co-hosted an international workshop on housing with Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE).
• A total of five universities from Japan, China, and Taiwan were invited to Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, incorporating international perspectives to address current social issues.
• For the final review session, world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma was invited as a guest, and he also delivered a lecture on his architectural philosophy.

Background and Details

Since 2022, NREV has been conducting industry-academia collaborative research with HUCE, aiming to deepen its understanding of local culture and lifestyle, and to strengthen its product development capabilities in response to regional needs.

In fiscal year 2025, NREV and HUCE co-hosted an international housing workshop with Japan Women’s University and Kinki University (Japan), Tamkang University and Feng Chia University (Taiwan), and Tianjin University (China), involving a total of six universities.

The 10-day workshop focused on addressing social issues related to housing in Hanoi. Together with students, participants explored various solutions to current challenges by incorporating perspectives from other countries. For the final review session, world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma was invited as a special guest. He delivered a valuable lecture on his design philosophy and residential architecture methods. The event drew enthusiastic attention from participants, and the venue was filled with energy throughout, concluding on a high note.

NRE’s Industry-Academia Collaboration

NRE’s industry-academia collaboration activities have a proven track record: 20 years in the domestic business division as of 2025, and 10 years in the overseas division, including the period prior to the establishment of the headquarters.

In Vietnam, discussions began in 2022. The outcomes of these research initiatives have been reflected in product planning for NRE’s overseas business, contributing to enhanced product value. These efforts have also led to tangible achievements such as receiving awards from universities and the formulation of design guidelines.

Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE)

Established in 1966, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE) is one of Vietnam’s most prestigious and long-standing institutions in the fields of civil engineering and infrastructure development.

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines of civil engineering, including construction engineering, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resources engineering, and environmental engineering. HUCE is committed to education and research that emphasize the practical application of academic findings to real-world industry needs.