AZ Architects designed the Heineken offices in Ho Chi Minh City to reflect the brand’s rich heritage, intertwining Amsterdam’s maritime culture with modern workspace elements for enhanced collaboration and storytelling.

AZ Architects designed a brand-driven workplace for HEINEKEN at Vietcombank Tower in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, translating the company’s over 150-year heritage into a spatial narrative that reflects both its global identity and local presence. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, HEINEKEN, one of the world’s leading brewing companies, distributes its portfolio of brands across more than 190 countries. The design concept takes inspiration from the birth place of the brand – the historic city of Amsterdam – particularly its iconic canals and maritime culture. This idea becomes the foundation of the office narrative, symbolizing HEINEKEN’s journey from Amsterdam through many countries before reaching Vietnam, creating a workplace that visually tells the story of the brand’s global expansion.

The reception area acts as the central highlight of the design. The reception desk is shaped as an abstract boat, referencing the vessels that once navigated Amsterdam’s canals and metaphorically representing HEINEKEN’s journey across cultures and markets. Above it, a Barrisol ceiling evokes the reflective surface of canal waters, reinforcing the concept of movement and fluidity throughout the space. Architectural interventions also transform existing building elements into storytelling features. Structural columns are wrapped with layered wooden forms inspired by the Evergreen tree, with each layer symbolically representing stages in the brand’s long history and growth. Together, these elements form a cohesive visual language that connects the office environment with HEINEKEN’s heritage and enduring brand values.

The workplace is organized around key communal zones including reception, town hall, and pantry spaces, designed as multifunctional hubs that encourage gathering, collaboration, and brand interaction. These areas invite employees and visitors not only to work and meet, but to experience HEINEKEN’s culture through social engagement and shared moments.

Natural daylight is maximized across these frequently used areas, supporting employee well-being while reinforcing the open and welcoming character of the space.

The result is a workplace that answers the client’s request for a refreshed office identity-one that balances contemporary design sensibility with the enduring storytelling power of one of the world’s most recognizable brands.

The project responds to the client’s request for a refreshed office identity while maintaining recognizable brand characteristics, balancing contemporary workplace design with strong storytelling elements. In addition, the design prioritizes user comfort and sustainability by maximizing natural daylight in frequently used areas such as the reception, town hall, pantry, and meeting rooms, creating a bright and welcoming environment that supports employee well-being and enhances the overall spatial experience.