2026 AAO Winners’ Night Makes History Inside Dragon Pearl Cave, A 150-Million-Year-Old Natural Wonder
Following three successful editions held at iconic destinations across Asia, including Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, SO/ Bangkok in Thailand, and The Shilla Seoul in South Korea, the Asia Awards Organization (AAO) selected Vietnam as the host destination for its 2026 awards season.
Set within the extraordinary surroundings of Dragon Pearl Cave, a remarkable nature wonder in Quang Ninh Province, the ceremony brought together hundreds of architects, designers, developers, hoteliers, tourism professionals, creative leaders, media partners, and industry stakeholders from nearly 20 countries and territories across Asia.
Under the theme “Influential Asia”, the 2026 season honored individuals, projects, and brands that are actively shaping the region’s global presence through creativity, innovation, cultural identity, and sustainable development.
From Architecture to Hospitality: Highlights of the 2026 Awards Season
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Tan Quee Peng, Chairman of the Jury Panel, shared: “Tonight is not only a celebration of excellence in architecture, design, and hospitality, but also a moment to witness how the future of Asia is being shaped through ideas driven by ambition, responsibility, and a spirit of innovation. The diversity and quality of this year’s submissions reflect a region that is continuously evolving and redefining its role on the global stage - while what impressed the jury most was the strong sense of purpose and the long-term impact demonstrated across the winning projects.”
This year’s winning projects reflected a strong balance between cultural identity, innovative thinking, and environmental responsibility.
In architecture and design, standout winners included Coastal Quảng Ngãi - A Community by HAUS, recognized for its climate-responsive urban development and commitment to long-term community value. The awards also highlighted the growing movement toward adaptive reuse and environmentally responsive design. Picture Book Dream Maru in South Korea transformed a buried reservoir into a vibrant cultural destination, while Amami House (Japan) presented an off-grid residential model focused on resilience and coexistence with nature. HAUS Da Lat demonstrated a refined integration of wellness, hospitality, and environmental preservation within a forest setting, while Jiangnan House Yangzhou Guangling in China showcased how contemporary architecture can coexist with heritage to create culturally immersive hospitality experiences.
Alongside these regional highlights, several independent projects further underscored the breadth of innovation across different typologies. WMS House and Bánh Mật House demonstrated how residential architecture can integrate nature into everyday urban living experiences. Vikki Digital Bank redefined the traditional banking environment, transforming it into a dynamic digital ecosystem that integrates services, experience, and community engagement. Additional notable contributions included Sola Peninsula and One Central Saigon, alongside LandProduction by Landco Corporation, which reflects the growing capabilities in design execution, interior production, and large-scale spatial realization.
In the hospitality, tourism, and experiential sectors, this year’s winners highlighted the rising prominence of eco-resorts, boutique hospitality concepts, and next-generation travel experiences where authenticity, local identity, and human connection define the core guest journey. Ulaman Eco Luxury Resort in Bali, Indonesia, stood out for its regenerative hospitality approach, combining sustainable architecture, holistic wellness, and environmentally conscious luxury. Sataa Resort Nan in Northern Thailand reinterpreted regional hospitality traditions through contemporary design rooted in local culture. Meanwhile, Athena Premium Cruise (Vietnam) delivered a comprehensive journey blending modern design, wellness, technology, and sustainable travel experiences.
Collectively, this year’s winners reflect Asia’s growing influence in shaping global standards across architecture, hospitality, tourism, and lifestyle industries, where innovation, cultural depth, and sustainability continue to drive long-term impact.
Where Contemporary Creativity Meets Natural Heritage
One of the defining highlights of the 2026 Winners’ Night was its extraordinary setting inside Dragon Pearl Cave, a nature wonder formed approximately 150 million years ago, known for its expansive limestone formations and dramatic underground landscape.
For the evening, the cave was transformed into an immersive artistic stage through the integration of 3D mapping technology, contemporary music, and live performances. Within this environment, guests experienced a powerful dialogue between contemporary creativity and geological time, creating an atmosphere unlike any conventional awards ceremony.
Hosting a major international event inside Dragon Pearl Cave not only celebrated the achievements of Asia’s architecture and hospitality industries, but also underscored Vietnam’s growing role as a destination for world-class cultural, artistic, and MICE events.
Distinguished International Jurors Join the Celebration
The Winners' Night was further elevated by the presence of several internationally respected architects and designers who served on the 2026 Jury Panel and Board of Advisors, personally presenting awards to this year's winners.
Among the distinguished guests was Professor Jenchieh Hung - Principal Architect of Jenchieh Hung + Kulthida Songkittipakdee / HAS design and research, Korakot Aromdee - Creative Director of Korakot International, Gianfranco Bianchi - Founder and CEO of Italian Atelier SRL, Isabelle Miaja - Founder and Creative Director of Miaja Design Group.
Their participation underscored AAO's commitment to bringing together globally respected professionals whose expertise helps recognize projects that demonstrate outstanding creativity, innovation, sustainability, and lasting social impact.
Looking Ahead to Visionary Asia
With the conclusion of the 2026 season, the Asia Awards Organization officially launches the 2027 awards cycle under the theme “Visionary Asia”.
Beginning in 2027, both AADA and AHA will adopt a rolling evaluation and announcement model, allowing projects to be assessed and recognized continuously throughout the year rather than through a single annual judging cycle. This new framework is designed to provide more timely recognition while enabling organizations, design teams, and operators to maximize the value of their achievements in communications, branding, and business development.
While winners will be announced throughout the season, the awards will still culminate in a flagship Winners’ Night. The 2027 ceremony is scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing together Asia’s architecture, design, hospitality, and tourism communities to celebrate the visionaries shaping the future of the region.
To view the most memorable moments of the gala and the complete directory of the 2026 winners, please visit https://aadawards.com, https://ahawards.co/, or contact info@asiaawards.co.
