Phu My Hung sets the standard for modern living

Dr. Nguyen Minh Hoa Dean of the Urban Studies Faculty under the National University of Ho Chi Minh City

Mentioning Phu My Hung in Ho Chi Minh City, many people think of a high-end town with complete infrastructure and services, green and clean environment and landscape. However, few have recognised another value: Phu My Hung has contributed to the vision of  a new, modern lifestyle of the 21st century.

From “living place” to “living space”

In the 1990s, homebuyers simply looked for a place to live. Over the past decade, they have changed their attitudes about their residence. Concepts such as “living space,” “living module” and “architectural space” have been mentioned more and more in the media as well as in the daily life of the public.

There are many reasons for this change, partly because more and more people have taken tours abroad, or they have accessed information on the internet. But, it is obvious that the development of Phu My Hung has completely changed people’s mind.

They have become more interested in the outer appearance of their houses, including natural and social environment, living space comprising architectural, cultural, social, economic and artistic elements. Although such demands may not have  been met, the change of viewpoints and dreams is an important start that has changed the thinking of leaders, managers and policymakers.

Over the past 20 years, while many new residential areas have been developed fragmentarily, Phu My Hung has been properly developed by only one investor with separate functional sections and a complete service system. Pham Si Liem, former Deputy Minister of Construction, said: “The investor of Phu My Hung seeks benefits from sustainable development instead of short-term ones. The project has been carried out in combination of investment, planning, infrastructure, design, construction and management, and has introduced a new model to the public.”

“Law” of civilisation

Seeing is believing. The real model of Phu My Hung has launched a new concept and new value about living lifestyle.

In urban areas, planners and designers have created the world of round and square houses for living. Le Corbusier, a famous Swiss architect, once said, “Architecture creates human beings.”

Reality proves that building a living space this way may be suitable for a harmonious life, but in another way it may cause chaos. People will litter where there is garbage around them, but they will not do so when the surrounding is clean and tidy, and everybody places trash in trash bins.

Almost all the roads, sidewalks and public areas in Phu My Hung are clean. Order and security have been strictly respected here, which prevents those coming from elsewhere from violating this civilised space. All residents of Phu My Hung, no matter who they are, what they do and where they come from, abide by the common regulations and rules. In other words, they respect, protect and are proud of their living space.

It can be said that the civilised, modern living space in Phu My Hung urban area is a law, a public rule that affects the lifestyle of local residents, and even guests. This is a favourable premise for the formation of a civilised, orderly lifestyle of local residents.

Harmony between individuals and community

Vietnamese people’s residences in both rural and urban areas have a common characteristic, which is geographically and socially close to one another. This helps create a friendly community, but it also causes many troubles. To tackle such troubles, Phu My Hung has created exclusive living spaces for individuals and families that ensure their privacy, namely fences, gardens and lawns.

Phu My Hung has also built several public places for residents, including parks, flower gardens, lawns, pedestrian roads, an artistic bridge, stone benches and wide sidewalks. Places such as restaurants, shops, supermarkets, exhibition and convention center, outdoor stages and children playground, and social activities like the Lawrence S. Ting Charity Walk, Spring Flower Fair, Cyclo Challenge, music nights and programmes for children, all are the catalyst for human relations.

Phu My Hung-style architecture and social services and activities help get rid of the coldness as often seen in Western cities, as well as the backwardness of some rural habits. Phu My Hung’s planners and designers have inherited the Oriental and Western cultures, and Vietnamese traditional and contemporary cultures to create a big living environment for local residents.

After 20 years of establishment and development, Phu My Hung has formed a new lifestyle that is civilised, human and modern.