Vietnamese architects are increasingly turning to traditional building techniques and local materials, such as perforated bricks and bamboo, to enhance climate resilience, exemplified by structures like the Terra Cotta Studio in Dien Phuong, which was established in 2016 and expanded in 2023 to withstand flooding and monsoon seasons.

These designs emphasize harmony with natural elements, drawing inspiration from traditional merchant houses that survived floods through perforated walls and stilted foundations, allowing buildings to adapt to seasonal floodwaters without damage.

This innovative approach to climate-adaptive architecture is gaining international interest, with potential applications in disaster-prone regions across Asia and beyond, though regulatory barriers, especially in Western countries, slow the wider adoption of materials like bamboo.

For example, H&P Architects' Floating Bamboo House prototype offers a modular, low-cost floating shelter using bamboo and recycled materials, designed to cope with the Mekong Delta's frequent flooding, but legal recognition issues for bamboo as a building material hinder wider deployment.

Vietnam faces significant vulnerability to climate change, with over 70% of its population exposed to hazards such as typhoons, floods, and saltwater intrusion, leading to economic damages that reach billions annually.

The impacts of climate change threaten Vietnam’s low-lying coastlines and river deltas, affecting millions and emphasizing the need for resilient, sustainable infrastructure.

Architects like Vo Trong Nghia are expanding bamboo architecture beyond Vietnam, with projects in China and other countries, focusing on traditional material treatments that enhance durability and longevity.

Architect Nguyen Hai Long and his firm Tropical Space advocate working with nature’s rhythms to help communities better cope with climate threats, emphasizing harmony rather than opposition.

In Hoi An, VTN Architects' community house features bamboo arch trusses designed to withstand strong winds and typhoons, demonstrating bamboo’s resilience, especially after surviving the 2020 typhoon season.

Despite these challenges, these innovative designs show how integrating local traditions and natural materials can create sustainable, resilient infrastructure in the face of climate change.