Vietnam launches competition for architects to design houses in flood prone areas

HANOI: The Vietnam Architecture Association has launched a design competition challenging domestic and overseas Vietnamese architects to come up with an innovative idea for building houses in flood-prone areas, Vietnam News Agency reported.

In particular, the central and the Mekong Delta regions will be targeted.

Chairman of the association Nguyen Tan Van said the competition was aimed at seeking the most feasible and effective housing models for minimising losses in flood-hit areas

Flood-resistant houses were built as a trial in southern Dong Thap province several years ago.

"However, they failed to attract local residents due to high cost and long-time construction. People in the central region are still living on their houses' roofs during stormy season," Van said.

He said designs must be practical, low in cost, adapt to severe weather conditions, and suit flood-prone residents' lifestyles.

The organisation's board will receive designs through Jan 25, 2011.

According to the General Statistics Office, more than 160 people were killed or went missing during last month's flash floods.

About 700 houses were swept away and another thousand partially destroyed or submerged.

The awards for the winning designs will be given on April 27 next year.

They will be on display so that residents can submit opinions to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development who will then implement the construction. — Bernama