The event marked the Ho Chi Minh City chapter of Build Better 2026 in Vietnam, organised by Hubexo across the two major cities of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, under the overarching theme “Biophilic Design & Human Well-being”.

At a time when Vietnam’s construction and built environment sectors are facing growing expectations around quality, efficiency, sustainability and human experience, the question “How can we build better?” has become more relevant than ever.

This is at the heart of Build Better 2026 – a platform that goes beyond being an event for architecture, construction and design, bringing people together to exchange knowledge, explore solutions and share new perspectives on the future of the built environment.

A new chapter in connecting the industry

Build Better represents the next chapter in the evolution of an event series that has supported the architecture, design and construction communities across the Asia-Pacific region for many years. In Vietnam, the event was previously known as BCI Equinox, followed by Archify Live, before entering a new chapter under the Build Better brand.

Speaking at the event, Sally Kheng, Head of Strategic Partnership and Events, Asia at Hubexo, highlighted the simple idea behind Build Better: bringing the right people together, creating meaningful conversations and opening up new opportunities.

The event brought together architects, designers, construction professionals, property developers, material and technology providers, and many other businesses and industry stakeholders contributing directly to the development of Vietnam’s built environment.

Rather than focusing solely on product showcases, Build Better aims to create a space where the industry can meet, learn from one another and explore new ways forward. Five key pillars – Materials, Sustainability, Technology, Leaders and Community – form the foundation of the programme, reflecting the factors that are increasingly shaping the future of the built environment.

At Build Better HCMC 2026, the exhibition area featured 30 booths from brands across the construction materials, technology and solutions sectors, including An Cuong, Saint-Gobain Vietnam, Schneider Electric Vietnam, AkzoNobel, Alucosun, Blum, BWT, Hoang Chuong, igloo, Rheem Vietnam, ROCKWOOL Vietnam, SFA Pumps, Uuviet Solutions and many others.

From nature to well-being and quality of life

Biophilic Design is often associated with bringing plants, natural light and other elements of nature into buildings. However, the discussions at Build Better HCMC 2026 demonstrated that the concept extends far beyond these familiar applications.

The panel discussion “Biophilic Interior Design & Human Well-being” examined how interior design can contribute to healthier, more comfortable and more human-centred environments, highlighting the connection between design decisions and human well-being.

From another perspective, “Applying Biophilic Design to Industrial Projects” raised a practical question: how can principles traditionally associated with living and working spaces be applied to industrial projects, where functionality and operational efficiency remain fundamental requirements?

The conversation was further expanded through “More Than Plants: A Broader Approach to Biophilic Design,” reinforcing the idea that Biophilic Design is not simply about introducing greenery into buildings. It represents a broader approach to creating meaningful connections between people, nature and the built environment.

Meanwhile, “Biophilic Architectural Exteriors Design” took the conversation beyond the building itself, exploring how exterior design can help establish a more harmonious relationship between architecture, nature and its surrounding environment.

These discussions were not merely academic. They reflected practical challenges facing the construction industry as demand continues to grow for spaces that are higher quality, more sustainable and more responsive to the needs of the people who use them.

Where green design meets technology, standards and practical solutions

One of the strengths of Build Better HCMC 2026 was its ability to take the conversation around Biophilic Design beyond architecture alone. At “Biophilic Design Aligned with Green Certifications,” experts explored the relationship between Biophilic Design, green building certifications and broader approaches to sustainable development.

Alongside the panel discussions, the Leader Hub sessions – showcasing new materials, technologies and practical solutions – brought additional perspectives from different areas of the industry.

From “Build Better by Bsquare” to “Building Better Vietnam: Leading Sustainable Construction Innovation with ROCKWOOL Multi-Performance Solutions”, innovative materials and construction solutions were presented within a broader conversation about improving building quality, performance and sustainability.

Technology was also a key part of the programme through “Innovative Technology Solutions for Construction Drainage Design”, demonstrating how highly practical considerations such as drainage systems can play an important role in improving the efficiency and performance of the built environment.

Other Leader Hub presentations further expanded the conversation, including “Saint-Gobain: A Journey to Sustainable Buildings Centered on Human Well-being”, “Advancing Energy Tech for a Sustainable Human Living”, “Nature’s Shield – Designing Sustainable Cities with Nature’s Help”, and “Healthy Water, Healthy Living”.

Together, these topics created a multidimensional perspective on what it means to Build Better – through better materials, more effective technologies, more responsible design and decisions that place people at the heart of the built environment.

Connecting with the region and the future

Build Better 2026 in Vietnam is part of the wider Build Better event series across the Asia-Pacific region, creating an international dimension for the events in Vietnam while providing opportunities for the local industry to engage with perspectives, trends and solutions from across the region.

Yet the value of this connection is not only about bringing international ideas to Vietnam. It is also about creating opportunities for Vietnamese voices, experience and innovation to become part of a broader regional conversation.

In Vietnam, Build Better 2026 is more than a one-day event. It is part of a wider journey to connect the people who are directly shaping the future of the built environment – from architects, designers, engineers and developers to manufacturers, technology experts, and organisations exploring new approaches for the industry.

Following Ho Chi Minh City, the Build Better 2026 journey will continue in Hanoi on 27 November 2026, extending the conversation with the professional community in northern Vietnam under the same overarching theme, “Biophilic Design & Human Well-being”.