Encouraging youths to critically examine and question colonial heritage and its lasting impact in Vietnam through the use of researching and co-creating formats.
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.
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.
The organizing committee may close applications earlier than the stated deadline if enough members are selected after the online interviews.
Ms. Nguyen Anh Thu is a change facilitator with over 10 years of experience in designing and leading experiential learning programs, capacity building, and organizational transformation. She views change as a natural, continuous journey—one that enables individuals and communities to grow meaningfully and sustainably.
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.”
Writer Nguyen Truong Quy, born in 1977 in Hanoi, is an independent author known for his distinctive works on culture, history, and urban life. He graduated from Hanoi University of Architecture and later earned a Master’s degree in Communication Management. Nguyễn Trương Quý began his writing career in the early 2000s, developing a signature style of reflective and observant prose. Some of his notable works include As Natural as a Hanoian (2004), It’s Hard to Find a Truly Good Bowl of Phở (2008), Hanoi is Hanoi (2010), and A Time When Hanoi Sang (2018). In 2019, he was awarded the Bùi Xuân Phái – For the Love of Hanoi Prize for his book on Vietnamese modern music. Nguyễn Trương Quý is regarded as a prominent figure in the contemporary field of “Hanoiology.” Beyond writing, he also teaches, conducts research, and shares his passion for Hanoi’s culture with the wider community. His works blend perspectives from architecture, cultural studies, and a deep sense of nostalgia.
Architect Chu Kim Duc is the co-founder and coordinator of Think Playgrounds – a social organization dedicated to promoting the right to play for children in Vietnam. She holds a Master’s degree in Garden, Landscape, and Heritage History from France. In 2014, she and her colleagues established Think Playgrounds, beginning with the design of safe, creative, and open playgrounds built from recycled materials. To date, the group has created over 200 community playgrounds across Vietnam, including notable projects in Hoi An such as Trang Keo Playground and the Cua Dai Eco Park. Chu Kim Duc advocates for playground models that integrate ecological education, cultural values, and sustainable development. All playgrounds are designed to be environmentally friendly and inclusive for children of various backgrounds and abilities. In 2020, she was honored by the BBC as one of the 100 most inspiring women in the world. She continues to champion public playgrounds as a vital part of holistic development for Vietnamese children.
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.
Nguyễn Tiêu Quốc Đạt is the co-founder and Creative Director of the social enterprise Think Playgrounds – a pioneering organisation in promoting the right to play and developing child-friendly public spaces in Vietnam. With a background in architecture, he brings innovative design thinking that blends aesthetics, sustainability, and community values into every playground project.
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.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Hồng Thục, born in 1965, is an architect and urban planning expert, currently serving as Director of the Institute for Settlement and Human Studies. She graduated from Hanoi Architectural University and earned her Ph.D. in France. As one of the pioneering scholars in the fields of urbanism and settlement studies in Vietnam, she has over 30 years of professional experience in sustainable urban development, spatial planning, and ecological transition for both urban and rural areas.
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.
