HCM CITY — How to create built environments that are not only more sustainable and efficient but also healthier and more connected to nature was a key question raised at Build Better HCMC 2026 held in HCM City on August 21.

The event brought together more than 450 industry professionals and featured 30 exhibition booths showcasing materials, technologies and solutions for the construction industry.

Organised by Hubexo under the theme “Biophilic Design & Human Well-being”, the event highlighted growing attention to the relationship between building design, environmental performance and human well-being.

At a time when Việt Nam’s construction and built environment sectors face rising expectations around quality, efficiency, sustainability and human experience, the question of “How can we build better?” is becoming increasingly relevant. Build Better seeks to address this by bringing industry professionals together to exchange knowledge, explore solutions and discuss the future of the built environment, according to the organiser.

Speaking at the event, Sally Kheng, head of Strategic Partnership and Events, Asia at Hubexo, said Build Better is about bringing the right people together, creating meaningful conversations and opening up new opportunities for collaboration.

The programme centred on five pillars – Materials, Sustainability, Technology, Leaders and Community – reflecting the interconnected factors influencing the built environment.

The exhibition area featured 30 booths from brands across the construction materials, technology and solutions sectors, including An Cường, Saint-Gobain Vietnam, Schneider Electric Vietnam, AkzoNobel, Alucosun, Blum, BWT, Hoang Chuong, igloo, Rheem Vietnam, ROCKWOOL Vietnam, SFA Pumps and Uuviet Solutions.

Discussions examined the application of biophilic design across interior spaces, industrial projects and architectural exteriors, as well as its relationship with green building certifications and wider approaches to sustainable development.

The event also highlighted the importance of connecting different parts of the industry. A design concept needs the right technology, material solutions need to respond to project requirements, and sustainability goals need to be matched with solutions that can be implemented in practice.

These connections are increasingly important as the built environment moves towards more integrated approaches to sustainability and human-centred design.

Build Better 2026 represents the latest chapter of an event series that has supported architecture, design and construction communities across Asia-Pacific. In Việt Nam, the event was previously known as BCI Equinox and Archify Live before adopting the Build Better brand.

Following the HCM City event, the Build Better 2026 programme will take place in Hà Nội on November 27, extending the conversation with northern Việt Nam’s professional community under the same theme. — BIZHUB