Hoa Mai Design Award 2023 aims at discovering creative and applicable wooden furniture solutions to address the living spaces of modern urban environments. — Photo courtesy of the organiser
Việt Nam's most prestigious and enduring competition for wooden furniture design, the Hoa Mai Design Award (HMA) 2023, officially launched on Wednesday in HCM City.
The competition, which is in its 20th edition this year, is themed "Saigon Metropolitan", and aims at discovering creative and applicable wooden furniture solutions to address the living spaces of modern urban environments.
Entrants this year, who have chance to win a total prizes of VNĐ700 million (US$28,7000), must embody the four core values of creativity, sustainability, adaptability and heritage.
This year, the competition has a entirely new category, the Grand Award, which is for furniture manufacturers, interior design studios and individuals with over five years of experience in the field.
In addition, the Open Award continues to cater to young designers and students from universities and colleges specialising in architecture and interior design.
Participants of the competition this year will have the opportunity to showcase their products at the Fine Arts and Wood Processing Association of HCM City (HAWA) Expo 2024, the largest furniture and interior export fair in HCM City.
Distinguished participants, specifically the top 20 finalists from the Open Award and the top 10 from the Grand Award, will receive booth sponsorships at HAWA Expo 2024, each valued at VNĐ60 million ($2,500).
"Through the Hoa Mai Design Award, we are continually working to establish an environment that supports young entrepreneurs. We recognise that, from an association's perspective, these investments may appear relatively modest, but they symbolise a movement aimed at attracting more young entrepreneurs and successors, and ultimately contributing to the enduring growth of Việt Nam's wood industry," said Nguyễn Chánh Phương, vice chairman of HAWA.
Organised by HAWA since 2002 with primary sponsorship from the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the competition has seen the participation of thousands of talented young individuals and renowned designers in the wooden furniture industry. — VNS