If you suppose bamboo can only be used to make small and delicate things like furniture, well think again. The Vietnam National Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo is actually made of bamboo.

 

The Vietnam National Pavilion covers an area of 1,000 square meters and is more than 12 meters tall. Made entirely of bamboo, the pavilion is energy-efficient and environmental-friendly. The whole structure is insulated in the shape of a warehouse. The double-decked brown wall on the outside is constructed with special technics to prevent it from decay and fire.

Tong Guangrong, member of the Art Troup in Vietnam Pavilion, said, "When it comes to bamboo-made things, we usually think of desks, chairs and chopsticks. Bamboo can be seen everywhere in our daily lives, it is green and natural. So the Vietnamese made it the theme of our pavilion."

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations. Vietnam tried its best to showcase the country's traditional culture at Shanghai Expo. The unique design of the pavilion closely follows the general theme of the expo, which is Better city, Better life. The pavilion is made of natural materials to represent Vietnamese Characteristics, emphasizing environmental protection.