Being named at the Asia Pacific Property Awards (APPA) for two consecutive years not only extends Masterise Homes' achievements on the international stage but, more importantly, confirms that the projects developed by this enterprise have reached a standard equivalent to mature real estate markets in the region.
Recognition from prestigious international awards clearly reflects the shift of the Vietnamese real estate market into a new phase of development—where quality is verified by specific, transparent criteria and measured against global benchmarks.
Within the framework of the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2026 in Thailand, we had a conversation with Mr. Stuart Shield, Chairman of the judging panel, to gain further insight into the movements of the high-end real estate market in the region.
Reporter: From an expert perspective, what does the continuous recognition of Vietnamese real estate projects at regional awards indicate?
Mr. Stuart Shield: International recognition is not merely nominal. It is a sign that the market is beginning to be placed within a common frame of reference.
Previously, the appeal of Vietnamese real estate mainly stemmed from fundamental factors such as urbanization speed, housing demand, and the growth of the middle and upper classes. However, evaluation criteria have now changed significantly, focusing more on planning quality, living experiences, operational capacity, and the ability to maintain asset value in the long term. For the high-end segment, this is a pivotal shift: from a fast-growing market to one that is now being measured by standards.
Reporter: How should the "standard" of high-end real estate be understood today?
Mr. Stuart Shield: The new standard for high-end real estate lies not only in scale, location, or amenities, but in the ability to establish and maintain a consistent quality system throughout.
In that sense, "branded quality" is the most appropriate interpretation. This is not a story about whether a project is associated with a famous brand or not, but about how quality is consistently executed: from planning, design, and finishing to services, operations, and the living experience after handover.
In other words, "branded" in real estate should not stop at a name. It is a set of standards that can be felt, verified, and maintained over time. In this understanding, a project does not need to be labeled "branded real estate" to reach "branded" standards, provided that quality is built as a long-term commitment rather than just external positioning.
Reporter: Based on the assessment process at APPA, how do you view Masterise Homes, especially the two winning projects this year, LUMIÈRE Orient Pearl and Masteri Era Landmark? When compared with other outstanding projects in the region like those in Singapore or Thailand, where do you position Masterise Homes’ potential?
Mr. Stuart Shield: Masterise Homes has made a strong impression on our judging panel. Both LUMIÈRE Orient Pearl and Masteri Era Landmark were evaluated based on the same strict criteria that APPA applies to the entire Asia-Pacific region, including architectural integrity, sustainable development criteria, and the quality of the user experience that the project delivers. What makes these two projects stand out is the superior attention to detail, along with the way international design standards are translated cohesively and delicately within the Vietnamese context.
This shows that from international collaborations to more accessible product lines like the Masteri Collection and LUMIÈRE Series, Masterise Homes is consistently defining a "branded living" standard across its entire development portfolio.
When placed alongside award-winning projects from developed markets like Singapore or Thailand, LUMIÈRE Orient Pearl and Masteri Era Landmark, developed by Masterise Homes, can confidently stand shoulder to shoulder. This is a hard-won achievement, reflecting the ambition and execution capacity of the team behind these projects.
Reporter: What does winning at the APPA for two consecutive years mean for a developer like Masterise Homes, especially in confirming the quality of executing "branded standards" on the international stage?
Mr. Stuart Shield: I think winning at the APPA for two consecutive years means a great deal to any developer. Our program operates completely independently, without any commercial relationships influencing the results, and every entry is evaluated by a panel of over 100 industry experts.
For Masterise Homes, this consecutive recognition is not simply a media title; it is an objective external confirmation that their execution standards are truly compatible with international norms. This shows that quality is not a fleeting achievement, but a capability that is consistently maintained and deeply embedded in their project development process. It is that consistency that creates long-term sustainable value for an award. And when a set of standards is repeated and verified through operating projects, it is no longer just an advantage of individual projects but gradually becomes a benchmark for the market.
Reporter: With the market "standard-setting" efforts of developers like Masterise Homes, what do you predict for the future position of Vietnam's high-end real estate segment in the Asia-Pacific region?
Mr. Stuart Shield: The high-end real estate segment in Vietnam is in a truly exciting transition phase. The market is gradually shifting from being driven primarily by growth speed to a trend that prioritizes the quality and long-term value of developments.
The fact that Vietnamese projects are being recognized on the regional stage is rapidly accelerating this shift. When businesses pursue branded norms as a consistent system of standards, this not only raises expectations for individual developers but also contributes to reshaping the expectation level of the entire market. Developers capable of maintaining quality consistently and systematically, like Masterise Homes, will be the ones defining Vietnam's position in the Asia-Pacific picture in the coming years. I am fully confident that Vietnam will increasingly become a prominent name in this dialogue.
In the next phase, Vietnam’s market advantage will come not only from the speed of development but from the ability to form standards. Developers capable of turning quality into a consistent system of standards will be key factors contributing to shaping the new position of Vietnam's high-end real estate in the region.
Reporter: Thank you for the conversation.