How the nature inspired Traditional Vietnamese architecture

Vietnam in constrast to China

Traditional Vietnamese architecture distinguishes itself from other East Asian countries by prioritizing integration with the surroundings. It places a greater emphasis on blending in with the environment, imitating nature rather than dominating or subduing it, as seen in the grander constructions of Chinese architecture.

The roofs of Vietnamese homes flare out, resembling tree branches, creating a cityscape that closely mirrors the surrounding green landscape it aims to complement. In contrast, the imperial architecture of China exhibits more defined and formal lines. Vietnamese roofs, especially in the southern regions of Eastern Asia like Quang Dong province, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, stand out with their abundant use of color, saturation, curves, and intricate decorations at the roof's apex. This distinction is more pronounced in regions closer to lush plains, such as Southern Eastern Asia, compared to northern countries like Northern China, Korea, and Japan.

The Vietnamese architecture maintains a nurturing, feminine, and casual aesthetic, despite employing similar construction techniques as other East Asian styles, such as the use of wood and bricks. This mirrors the Vietnamese approach to life, thought, and societal construction, characterized by a lack of defined centrality and a preference for peripheral influences that can shape their mindset.

This idea is much more prominent, clear and simply shown in Ninh Binh, where the architecture goes after the nature, rather than trying to surpass it. As you can see, the nature of Ninh Binh are trecherous, that does not stop the Vietnamese to build a city within the rocks.