VI
EN
Indochine style is a design trend that showcases the traditional beauty of Vietnam. This is because it suits the lifestyle, customs, culture, aesthetic concepts, landscape, and climate of the Vietnamese people. This style blends Vietnamese identity with French neoclassical style.
If you pay attention, you'll notice that the Indochine style is present in most of the architecture of old towns, ancient villas, and hotels built a few decades ago. Indochine is found in every corner of Hoi An's old town, Hanoi's old town, the imperial city of Hue, and somewhere in the glamorous Saigon.
The defining characteristic of Indochine style is the use of neutral tones such as pale yellow, cream, and white to create a cool feeling suitable for Vietnam's tropical climate. Interior spaces combine these neutral colors with the colors of wood and rattan, evoking an East Asian feel. Some spaces also utilize warm, vibrant tropical colors such as red, purple, and orange to create a strong impression.
In addition, some other projects choose wood and bamboo as the main materials. Designers often choose wood for the structural frame and roof consoles, door systems, flooring, ceilings, equipment, decorative details, sculptures, reliefs, etc., and use bamboo for decorative items, partitions, tables, and chairs because of its ease of shaping and high resistance to termites.
Traditional Vietnamese artistic elements are clearly expressed in the patterns and motifs, contributing to the distinctive characteristics of the Indochine style. Patterns and motifs dating back to the Dong Son period or the Annam period, such as geometric shapes, rectangles, trees, flowers, and still lifes, have been synthesized and stylized to become more refined. These patterns are applied to details of floors, walls, ceilings, partitions, decorative items, and interior furnishings, resulting in high artistic value.
In a rapidly changing society, characterized by technological advancements and modern architecture, Indochine style offers a sense of stepping back in time. It embodies nostalgia, moments filled with cherished memories, and simply provides a peaceful haven. Old-fashioned cafes, restaurants, hotels, villas, and ancient streets are ideal places to slow down, relax, and unwind.
