Identifying genius loci elements in urban space of the history central area of Ho Chi Minh City = Nhận diện yếu tố nơi chốn trong không gian đô thị khu vực trung tâm lịch sử Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

Abstract

Vietnam, a rich history and culture, is a country of diverse beauty from North to South, famous not only for its majestic natural landscape but also for its indigenous genius loci values. Each region, from the mountains and forests in the North to the plains in the South, contains its own unique characteristics, traditional values and culture. Typically, when talking about the Northern mountains, people will feel the soul of the countryside through the villages of ethnic groups such as H'Mong. Dao, and Nung, where each costume and each festival tells a story, separate matter. Meanwhile, in the South, you will be conquered by the peaceful beauty of the Southern river region, where each canal and each floating market is a separate song about life close to nature. However, with today's rapid integration. many traditional cultural values and unique regional identities are gradually being challenged, even lost. Newly formed cities have placed too much emphasis on economic development and forgotten about preserving their cultural foundation, causing them to become uniform and lacking identity. Globalization and urban development should not be the reason for each city and each region to lose its unique values, which are the values of genius loci in space. For example, Ho Chi Minh City, although standing firmly as the leading economic center of the country, the search for a unique and different identity for itself is still unclear. Only by understanding and honoring the historical cultural values in the community foundation can Ho Chi Minh City affirm its position on the world map, becoming a city worthy of pride and dignity living.