Dolphin Plaza won first prize in the 2012 Viet Nam National Architecture Awards. Photo khudothimoi.com

HA NOI (VNS) – The Dolphin Plaza building in Tu Liem, a district in the outskirts of Ha Noi, won first prize in the 2012 Viet Nam National Architecture Awards – marking the first victory by a luxury apartment complex.

Designed by architect Tan Jiann Woei, the 28-storey condominium complex won praise from the jury for its modern design and eco-friendly orientation.

The organising board presented second prizes to five "outstanding" architectural works and design projects: a book by Pham Duc Nguyen on the development of sustainable and green architecture in Viet Nam, Vincom Village in Ha Noi (architect Nguyen Anh Vinh), Can Tho City's ferry station, the Dai Lai Conference Centre in Vinh Phuc (architect Vo Trong Nghia) and the Dac Lac Museum (architect Tien Thuan).

The organising board also presented 17 third prizes and 15 consolation prizes as well as two certificates of merit.

The awards will be presented today during a ceremony in Ha Noi to mark the 65th anniversary of the Viet Nam Architects' Association (VAA).

The biennial awards were jointly held by the VAA, the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

As many as 15 publications, 24 urban planning and design projects and 101 architectural works competed this year. -- VNS