THE BAMBOO LEGEND: FROM HUMBLE MATERIAL TO CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE
Discover the Bamboo Legend, a unique architectural landmark in Phu Quoc
Amidst the glamorous European-style streets and the vibrant pulse of Grand World Phu Quoc, the Bamboo Legend offers a sense of rustic simplicity, much like the very material from which it is crafted.
When Vietnamese bamboo appears at the heart of Grand World
Located at Grand World in the north of Phu Quoc Island, Bamboo Legend is a structure designed by architect Vo Trong Nghia and VTN Architects.
The Bamboo Legend is located in the central area of Grand World Phu Quoc.
Amidst a complex of entertainment, shopping, and leisure facilities featuring diverse architectural styles, a space constructed almost entirely from bamboo stands out as a unique highlight of Pearl Island.
Viewed from a distance, the Bamboo Legend appears as a massive architectural form defined by soft, seamless curves. Only upon closer inspection does one realize that the entire structure is composed of thousands of bamboo culms arranged side-by-side and interwoven into a multi-layered framework.
Approximately 42,000 *Tam Vong* bamboo culms were used to construct the building. After being carefully selected and treated, the bamboo was assembled into a large-scale structure that nonetheless preserves the material's inherent natural character.
In the Vietnamese countryside, bamboo is a humble material. Yet here, it forms the very soul of a contemporary architectural work that has achieved global acclaim.
Specifically, in 2024, the Bamboo Legend project won the International Architecture Award (IAA), helping to bring Vietnamese bamboo architecture closer to the global architectural community.
Vietnamese symbols hidden among layers of bamboo
Venturing deeper inside, the Bamboo Legend begins to reveal fascinating details.
Amidst the interlacing bamboo stalks, images of the lotus flower and the Dong Son bronze drum gradually emerge:
They do not appear instantly. Only when the viewer shifts their perspective do these images slowly become distinct amidst the layers of bamboo.
The gourd's opening is in the middle, gradually tapering at the top like lotus petals
The roof features concentric circles and multi-pointed stars, resembling the design of a Dong Son bronze drum
The lotus, the bronze drum, and bamboo are all familiar motifs in Vietnamese culture. Yet here, they do not merely appear as decorative elements; instead, they are integrated into the very structure of the building.
As a result, the Vietnamese narrative is not confined to a single, isolated detail but is woven throughout the entire journey as visitors explore and experience the structure.
Vietnamese identity here requires no bold lettering to explain it. It resides in the materials, the forms, and the moment the viewer personally recognizes each symbol.
Conclusion
Amidst a destination renowned for its blue seas, white sands, resorts, and modern entertainment complexes, The Bamboo Legend creates a truly distinctive impression. Neither noisy nor ostentatious, the structure captivates visitors with its rustic, quintessentially Vietnamese character.
—-----
CREDIT:
- Photography: Kien Trang
- Content: Giang Huynh
- Design: Phuong Nguyen
