A team of students from the Faculty of Heat and Refrigeration Engineeringof the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH) including Phạm Thanh Phú, Võ Thị Ý Hậu, Huỳnh Đăng Hoan, Nguyễn Minh Đăng, Nguyễn Ngọc Châu, and Đỗ Tuấn Kiệt has won First Prize in the “Design Expert Award” category for the best student HVAC design at the 5th Midea Global HVAC Design Competition, and subsequently traveled to Hainan (China) to receive their award.
The 5th Midea Global HVAC Design Competition brought together contestants from the Asia-Pacific, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Latin America. On December 10, 2025, the IUH student team arrived on Hainan Island to receive the Grand First Prize, marking a significant milestone that showcases IUH students’ capabilities in designing modern HVAC systems focused on energy efficiency and CO₂ reduction. The achievement also enhances the University's international reputation. (HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
The 5th Midea Global HVAC Design Competition brought together contestants from the Asia-Pacific, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Latin America. On December 10, 2025, the IUH student team arrived on Hainan Island to receive the Grand First Prize, marking a significant milestone that showcases IUH students’ capabilities in designing modern HVAC systems focused on energy efficiency and CO₂ reduction. The achievement also enhances the University's international reputation. (HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
IUH representatives receiving the award: Dr. Nguyễn Thị Tâm Thanh – Dean of the Faculty of Heat and Refrigeration Engineering (third from right), together with students Võ Thị Ý Hậu and Huỳnh Đăng Hoan
Award-Winning HVAC Design Supporting CO₂ Emission Reduction in Urban Buildings
With the project “Designing a Ventilation and Air-Conditioning System for the Heritage West Lake Project Toward Net Zero CO₂”, the team approached the challenge comprehensively and sustainably fully aligned with Vietnam’s green-building trends.
They conducted simulations comparing three air-conditioning schemes, analyzing airflow distribution, energy consumption, and cooling efficiency to determine the optimal solution. The final design not only reduces electricity use and CO₂ emissions but also aligns with Vietnam’s environmental commitments including reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the construction sector by at least 25% by 2030 and expanding green, low-carbon urban zones by 2050.
The project proposed an eco-friendly HVAC system utilizing next-generation refrigerants with ultra-low global warming potential, significantly minimizing climate impact. The design was visualized using 3D modeling to reduce technical conflicts and increase accuracy during implementation. The team also assessed its compatibility with green-building standards, predicting that the system could achieve LEED Gold certification with a few additional refinements.
The solution demonstrates a strong balance of technical feasibility, environmental responsibility, and practical application offering clear benefits for future sustainable, low-emission buildings.
Recognition in Hainan – Highly Praised by an International Jury
At both the Vietnam and international rounds, the IUH team presented their design before a panel of leading HVAC experts, including:
With the project “Designing a Ventilation and Air-Conditioning System for the Heritage West Lake Project Toward Net Zero CO₂”, the team approached the challenge comprehensively and sustainably fully aligned with Vietnam’s green-building trends.
They conducted simulations comparing three air-conditioning schemes, analyzing airflow distribution, energy consumption, and cooling efficiency to determine the optimal solution. The final design not only reduces electricity use and CO₂ emissions but also aligns with Vietnam’s environmental commitments including reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the construction sector by at least 25% by 2030 and expanding green, low-carbon urban zones by 2050.
The project proposed an eco-friendly HVAC system utilizing next-generation refrigerants with ultra-low global warming potential, significantly minimizing climate impact. The design was visualized using 3D modeling to reduce technical conflicts and increase accuracy during implementation. The team also assessed its compatibility with green-building standards, predicting that the system could achieve LEED Gold certification with a few additional refinements.
The solution demonstrates a strong balance of technical feasibility, environmental responsibility, and practical application offering clear benefits for future sustainable, low-emission buildings.
Recognition in Hainan – Highly Praised by an International Jury
At both the Vietnam and international rounds, the IUH team presented their design before a panel of leading HVAC experts, including:
- Prof. Dr. Li Xianting – Dean of Architecture, Tsinghua University (China), Chief Coordinator & Judge
- Dr. Wu Jianlin – Director, Center for High-Performance Buildings, CABR
- Ir. Chen Thiam Leon – Honorary Advisor of MACRA, ASEAN Energy Award Expert
- Nguyễn Thế Quân – Senior HVAC Consultant, Vietnam
- Prof. Dr. Ir. Muhammad Idrus Alhamid – Mechanical Engineering, University of Indonesia
- MSc. Khalid AlMulhim – Senior MEP Design Consultant, Saudi Arabia
- Leandro A. Conti – Former Chair, Mechanical Engineering Board, Philippine Regulations Commission
- Irakli Mestvirishvili – HVAC Design Consultant, Georgia
The Vietnam team pictured with the international judging panel
Student Perspective: A Memorable Journey and Meaningful Achievement
Team member Võ Thị Ý Hậu shared that traveling to Hainan to receive the award was a memorable experience and a robust validation of the team’s learning journey at IUH.
“We deeply appreciate the support of our lecturers and IUH’s training environment, where we had access to modern tools such as CFD, BIM, and LEED green-building criteria. This achievement motivates us to continue researching and improving ourselves to contribute to the HVAC industry in the future.”
Accompanying the team, Dr. Nguyễn Thị Tâm Thanh – Dean of the Faculty of Thermal Engineering Technology, commended the students' efforts and their ability to embrace new trends in HVAC engineering:
“The team demonstrated creativity and technological competence from CFD simulations and the selection of eco-friendly materials and refrigerants to LEED criteria and BIM applications. This award not only affirms their technical capacity but also highlights their sustainable design thinking and global mindset.”
As a jury member and presenter of the Student Group Design Award, Dr. Wu Jianlin (CABR, China) highly praised the project:
"The IUH student team demonstrated the strong capabilities of Vietnamese students in the HVAC field. Among submissions from Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and others, this project stood out for its practical engineering value, sound design, and full compliance with requirements, including simulation, CO₂ reduction, energy-efficient equipment selection, and environmental protection. It is imposing and highly deserving of the top prize.”
In addition, the Vietnam delegation had the most significant number of participating teams. It secured multiple awards, including three Silver Pencil Awards and three Bronze Pencil Awards in the Professional Design category. Teams from Hanoi University of Science and Technology and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology also earned second and third prizes, respectively.
Team member Võ Thị Ý Hậu shared that traveling to Hainan to receive the award was a memorable experience and a robust validation of the team’s learning journey at IUH.
“We deeply appreciate the support of our lecturers and IUH’s training environment, where we had access to modern tools such as CFD, BIM, and LEED green-building criteria. This achievement motivates us to continue researching and improving ourselves to contribute to the HVAC industry in the future.”
Accompanying the team, Dr. Nguyễn Thị Tâm Thanh – Dean of the Faculty of Thermal Engineering Technology, commended the students' efforts and their ability to embrace new trends in HVAC engineering:
“The team demonstrated creativity and technological competence from CFD simulations and the selection of eco-friendly materials and refrigerants to LEED criteria and BIM applications. This award not only affirms their technical capacity but also highlights their sustainable design thinking and global mindset.”
As a jury member and presenter of the Student Group Design Award, Dr. Wu Jianlin (CABR, China) highly praised the project:
"The IUH student team demonstrated the strong capabilities of Vietnamese students in the HVAC field. Among submissions from Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and others, this project stood out for its practical engineering value, sound design, and full compliance with requirements, including simulation, CO₂ reduction, energy-efficient equipment selection, and environmental protection. It is imposing and highly deserving of the top prize.”
In addition, the Vietnam delegation had the most significant number of participating teams. It secured multiple awards, including three Silver Pencil Awards and three Bronze Pencil Awards in the Professional Design category. Teams from Hanoi University of Science and Technology and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology also earned second and third prizes, respectively.
