By: Amy Jagaczewski
In February, I traveled to Vietnam and visited several historic and cultural sites, including UNESCO World Heritage landmarks like Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary, as well as smaller but equally powerful sites like the Museum of Ethnology and the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. As a structural engineer with a background in historic preservation, and now a marketing specialist for AEC firms, I found myself struck by the clarity, craft, and care with which these sites told their stories.
Even though I no longer practice structural engineering or preservation directly, my passion for these disciplines continues to grow. In fact, it’s what drives my work at Golden Egg Concepts: helping AEC firms articulate their value so that the public, their clients, and their communities can understand and appreciate what they bring to the table. Vietnam’s heritage sites reminded me just how powerful that communication can be.
At My Son Sanctuary—a site of Cham temple ruins that has undergone preservation work for over a century. Restoration here has been led by Vietnamese teams and supported by international partners, including India and France. On-site, you can learn about the materials used, the methodology of reconstruction, and the evolution of techniques over time.
This kind of transparency builds trust and deepens appreciation. You’re not just admiring ancient structures; you’re learning how they survive.
Seeing this kind of infrastructure in place also communicates something essential: preservation is ongoing, not finished. It’s a living process, and it requires both technical expertise and cultural sensitivity.
The Architectural Garden at the Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi might have been my favorite stop of the trip. Here, vernacular structures from ethnic minority groups across Vietnam are reconstructed using traditional methods and materials.
The Architectural Garden at the Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi might have been my favorite stop of the trip. Here, vernacular structures from ethnic minority groups across Vietnam are reconstructed using traditional methods and materials.
Each home includes context on how it was built, what community it represents, and how daily life was shaped by architectural form. Videos show the construction process, turning what could have been static displays into dynamic learning moments.
At the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university, the historic significance is paired with detailed exhibits on restoration efforts. Floor plans, elevations, and even original construction sections are part of the educational materials.
It’s rare to see architectural documentation included in a cultural site’s narrative—and it was a joy to see it here. These materials reflect the same kind of precision, care, and problem-solving that AEC professionals bring to every project.
Storytelling Lessons from Vietnam’s Heritage Sites
For those of us in the AEC world, communicating the value of our work can feel daunting. But Vietnam’s heritage sites reminded me that when we bring transparency, humanity, and storytelling into the equation, people respond. They pay attention. They care.
And if centuries-old sites in Vietnam can do that for the general public, surely we can do the same in proposals, presentations, and community engagement efforts. That’s the challenge—and the opportunity—I love helping firms navigate every day.