AREP for Green, Modern and Civilized Urban Areas

In a study on activities of foreign businesses, especially French businesses, in Vietnam to attract more investments and cooperation with Vietnamese businesses, Vietnam Business Forum reporter Nguyen Mai interviewed Mr. Nicolas Samoen, Director for Asia and Managing Director of Arep Vietnam.

 

Arep is a member company of SNCF (French railway company) engaging in urban planning, designing, architecture and construction consulting. Operating only in one year but with rich experiences and knowledge on Vietnam, Arep has gained reputation among clients on the quality of its projects. Arep business strategy focuses on project quality of international standard and environment friendly. Projects designed by Arep are diversified: urban centres, resorts, hotels, office buildings, villas, railway stations. In all kinds and sizes, Arep is always committed to utmost creativeness, offering clients the best designs with airiness and natural light, saving energy and environment friendly. All projects designed by Arep are of high quality as Arep believes that they are not only for its reputation with clients but also responsibility towards the city, community and environment.

In Vietnam, Arep are implementing big projects such as 68-floor Bitexco tower in Ho Chi Minh City (in cooperation with Zapata designer- USA), diplomatic quarter, Vung Tau City, Ha Nam province planning, Thu Dau Mot district as centre of Binh Duong province. Presently, Arep will soon complete the building of Agribank project in Pham Hung avenue. It is a combination of modern and classic architecture basing on Ha Long and Hoa Loa u Rocks. Arep will also expand its comparative edge in communication, railway stations, sub-ways for infrastructure development in Vietnam. According to Arep, Vietnamese railway stations need more space for clients regarding accommodation, relaxation, recreation. Indeed, Arep is committed to sustainable development, buildings of high quality and pride of Vietnamese people. Arep has also several big projects in China, France and other countries in the world. Most significant is traffic project of Greater Paris which is highly valued by French President as a great project connecting urban areas.

Hanoi has experienced through many different historical developments and maintained typical marks of those periods. Now, Hanoi is entering into a new era of international integration with more modern developments but retaining traits of old tradition. Each time coming back to Hanoi, I am impressed by busy streets, with sellers and buyers in Hang Dao, Hang Gai. It is most surprising that tiny houses were built with creativeness and bold designs. I like best ancient streets of Hanoi, any change would destroy historical and cultural value of the city. I believe that Hanoi should keep its busy streets without imposing new architecture so as to maintain its unique scene of a city of one thousand years.

As Hanoi is expanding, there are many problems, but the most critical one is the traffic. For instances, ancient streets are symbol of Hanoi, but they are invaded by traffic. The old architecture is shrinking and disappearing. Therefore, planners must distinguish streets and roads to regulate the traffic and return the beauty to the old streets. For the long-term development, Hanoi must increase in length, width and depth. Urban areas must generate jobs, co-existence of the rich and the poor. Bus lines must be regulated systematically. France is regarded as the country with the best traffic system in the world. We stand ready to help you in consulting, building and management to make Vietnam more beautiful and modern while maintaining the charm of the capital city.