Open call
Re-tellme 2025: Today’s Market – Yesterday’s Echoes
Local public markets play a vital role in human life in general and Vietnamese people in particular. They vary greatly across regions and countries, and have become a distinct part of local culture. Today, in a world still shaped by the political, cultural, and economic legacies of colonialism, and despite the proliferation of mega-supermarkets in booming cities, original traditional markets seem to still thrive in Vietnam – or do they?
The re-tellme project returns in 2025, placing "Market" as its central theme and unfolding questions about the histories, everyday life, customs, economy, and architecture behind it. "Market" – a representation of distribution and consumption of food, but also as a setting for daily communal activities – will be analyzed within the context of a post-colonial Vietnam that is stepping deeper into the era of globalization.
The re-tellme is an initiative by Goethe-Institut Hanoi and Vietnam Global Outreach (V.GO) since 2023, for young Vietnamese people aged 18 to 26, specifically including deaf youth and ethnic minority students studying in Hanoi, along with other young individuals interested in history, culture, and architecture.
The project aims to encourage young people to critically examine and question colonial heritage and its lasting impact in Vietnam through the use of researching and co-creating formats.
The re-tellme project returns in 2025, placing "Market" as its central theme and unfolding questions about the histories, everyday life, customs, economy, and architecture behind it. "Market" – a representation of distribution and consumption of food, but also as a setting for daily communal activities – will be analyzed within the context of a post-colonial Vietnam that is stepping deeper into the era of globalization.
The re-tellme is an initiative by Goethe-Institut Hanoi and Vietnam Global Outreach (V.GO) since 2023, for young Vietnamese people aged 18 to 26, specifically including deaf youth and ethnic minority students studying in Hanoi, along with other young individuals interested in history, culture, and architecture.
The project aims to encourage young people to critically examine and question colonial heritage and its lasting impact in Vietnam through the use of researching and co-creating formats.
PROJECT'S MAIN ACTIVITIES:
- Training session, workshop, and field trip with experts: Project members will learn about history and culture through the lenses of postcolonial theory and public architecture, using “the market” as their primary object of research. They will also receive training in teamwork, in-depth analysis and research methods, and the development of practice-based project ideas.
- Panel discussion with Vietnamese and German experts: A highlight of this year’s program is the opportunity for direct, in-depth exchange with both Vietnamese and German experts, offering diverse and multilayered perspectives.
- Group work and collaborative development of a final research-practice proposal: Each team will develop a creative research inquiry alongside a practice-based, community-oriented project, under the guidance and mentorship of experts.
- Final presentation and public showcase: Teams will co-design a professional showcase space and present their final outcomes in a public exchanging event.
BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS:
- Study completely free of charge with leading experts (including costs for materials, study tools, travel, and meals during training sessions, if any).
- Receive financial support for research, development, and completion of the final presentation.
- Receive a program participation certificate with an official seal from Goethe-Institut and V.GO.
- Receive a letter of recommendation from V.GO after the program ends.
- The group with the best final presentation (according to the public audience vote and the experts' judgment) will win a prize.
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE:
- Member Recruitment: July 01 - 31, 2025
- Orientation: August 02, 2025
- Training: August 03, 09-10, 16-17, 2025
- Panel discussion: August 20, 2025
- Teams submit initial draft of final paper proposal: August 25, 2025
- Teams submit completed final paper proposal: September 15, 2025
- Exhibition and Final Presentation: October 08, 2025
REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERS:
- Vietnamese youth aged 18 - 26.
- Deaf youth are encouraged to participate.
- Ethnic minority youth are encouraged to participate.
- Have a deep interest and concern for Vietnamese history, culture, and architecture, and a desire to learn about post-colonialism and the current context of markets within the city.
- Willing to embark on a journey of exploration, experience, and creative re-telling of cultural and historical stories.
- Spirit of learning, actively participating in research activities, field surveys, and workshops.
- Effective teamwork skills and a high sense of responsibility in completing assigned tasks.
- Basic skills in photography, filming, and video editing using a smartphone.
- Sketching skills are a plus.
- Commit to fully participating in all project activities.
- Commit to completing project requirements on time.
- Members not living in Hanoi will be responsible for their own accommodation and living expenses.
HOW TO APPLY AND REGISTRATION PROCESS:
- Round 1: Complete the registration form before July 24, 2025.
- Round 2: Participate in an online interview.
- Confirm project participation before August 01, 2025.
Trainers
As a facilitator, learning designer, and host of meaningful conversations, Thu creates safe and inclusive learning spaces that foster engagement, collective reflection, and community connection. She has co-developed toolkits on 21st-century skills, gender equality, and climate resilience, and has collaborated with international organizations, as well as universities and social innovation networks across Vietnam.
Thu holds a Bachelor’s degree with High Distinction in International Economics from Foreign Trade University and a Master’s degree with Merit in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Management from the University of Nantes, France. She also holds several international certifications in experiential learning, social entrepreneurship, design thinking, and graphic facilitation. Her achievements include receiving full scholarships and winning the British Council Global Third Prize for her social project “Green Seeds.”
Think Playgrounds (TPG), established in 2014, is a social enterprise specializing in designing and building sustainable, child-friendly public spaces and playgrounds across Vietnam. By the end of 2024, TPG had collaborated on over 270 playgrounds and public spaces, including more than 20 inclusive playgrounds. Additionally, 50% of the profits from TPG's commercial sector are reinvested to maintain public playgrounds, demonstrating their strong commitment to their social mission.
Over more than a decade of work, he has had the opportunity to collaborate with leading playground design experts from Germany, France, the United States, and Japan to develop hundreds of creative playgrounds and public spaces across various provinces in Vietnam. These projects are not only educational but also foster community connection, imagination, and holistic development for children.
In addition to playground design, Mr. Đạt works closely with progressive kindergartens and primary schools, helping to introduce open, friendly, and
experiential learning environments into the education system. He places particular emphasis on integrating the value of play as a powerful tool for learning and for nurturing children's emotional and social development.
At the community level, he serves as a design advisor for various residential and rural projects—especially in Đông Anh District, Hanoi. With a child-centred approach, the projects he advises aim to create safe, inclusive, and inspiring environments where every child has the opportunity to play, grow, and connect with the surrounding community.
Dr. Thục is also the author of numerous research projects and policy papers that have significantly contributed to shaping modern urban development thinking, emphasizing human-centered approaches and local identity. Her sharp, socially responsible perspectives are regularly featured in academic forums and professional media. More than just a researcher, Nguyễn Hồng Thục is also a passionate advocate for green, smart, and sustainable cities, especially as Vietnam faces growing environmental and demographic challenges.
