Dear Friends, Alumni, and the next generation of Civil Engineers,
It is rare in the digital age for a community to stay together for a quarter of a century. Since 2001, svxd.com has been more than just a forum; it has been a digital home for the students of the National University of Civil Engineering (NUCE/HUCE). We have shared lecture notes, survived grueling exam seasons, debated structural theories, and built a network of colleagues that spans the globe.
I have had the honor of being your admin since those early dial-up days. Today, I am writing to share a personal update on my own journey and how it intersects with the community we’ve built here.
From Blueprints to Frames
For over two decades, my professional life was rooted in the digital structures of web design and the technical world of “VA Vietnam.” But as many of you who follow my personal updates know, my heart eventually found its true rhythm through the viewfinder of a camera.
Engineering taught me about structure, symmetry, and the golden ratio—principles that define great buildings. I realized that these same principles define great photography. Whether it is the soaring heights of a bridge or the weathered face of a craftsman, I found myself wanting to document the “human architecture” of our country.
I am officially transitioning my full focus to professional photography. While my background in civil engineering gave me the discipline to build, photography has given me the soul to see.
Where You Can Find My Current Work
As I move into this new chapter, I want to invite you to follow my visual journey across two platforms:
- trantuanviet.com: This is my professional portfolio. Here, you will find my commercial and editorial work, including my contributions to international publications. It represents the “technical” side of my art.
- vietnamphototours.com: This is for the explorers. I lead photography workshops across Vietnam, teaching others how to capture the beauty of our landscapes. If any of my fellow engineers have picked up a camera as a hobby (as many of us do!), I would love to see you on one of these tours.
The Future of svxd.com
I want to be very clear: The SVXD forum is not going anywhere. Even though my daily work has shifted from code and design to light and shadow, my commitment to this community remains. SVXD is a legacy of the class of 2001 and everyone who came after. It is a repository of our shared history.
I will continue to maintain this space as a resource for you. While I may be spending more time in the mountains of Ha Giang or the ancient streets of Hoi An than in a server room, the forum remains a priority for me as an admin.
A Legacy of Support
As engineers, we are trained to build things that last. I look at this forum as one of the most stable structures I have ever helped maintain. I am deeply grateful for the friendships I’ve made here since 2001. Many of you were my first “users,” my first critics, and my lifelong friends.
Though my tools have changed from a mouse and keyboard to a professional camera, my goal remains to showcase the excellence and beauty of Vietnam to the world—a goal I know many of you share through the infrastructure and cities you build every day.
Let’s Stay Connected
I encourage you to reach out, whether it’s through the forum or on my new sites. If you are an old friend from the early 2000s, I’d love to hear where your engineering career has taken you.
Thank you for being part of this 25-year journey. Here’s to many more years of building, whether it’s through concrete, code, or captured moments.
Sincerely,
Admin
Tran Tuan Viet
svxd.com Since 2001