CDA Independence Typeface

From Material to Meaning

The typeface draws from the Palace’s brise-soleil - “rèm hoa đá” - the stone screens wrapping its second floor. Through these bamboolike lattices, architect Ngô Viết Thụ interwove the ceremonial language of Huế’s royal architecture into a modernist landmark for Saigon. 

CDA translated that architectural logic into typography: rhythm, layering, contrast, and restraint. Woven stone became a living visual language.

The DNA of Dinh Độc Lập in every glyph

Every glyph in CDA Independence carries the same architectural DNA, rooted in the rèm hoa đá motif. Contrast, terminals, and serif depth are carefully refined to give the typeface clarity, rhythm, and structural presence. Vietnamese diacritics were designed as an integral part of the system from the beginning optically balanced for elegant spacing, compact headlines, and confident display typography.

Turning Monument into Movement

CDA Independence is built as a variable type system across two axes: weight and serif. Together, they allow the typeface to move fluidly from calm, functional text settings to sharper, high-contrast display expressions while maintaining a consistent voice across captions, editorial, signage, interfaces, and headlines. Structured where clarity matters. Expressive where identity speaks.

Extending the language beyond type

As part of the Independence Palace visual identity research & development project, a custom iconography system was also developed alongside the typeface to support the Independence Palace’s wayfinding experience. The icons inherit Independence’s visual language directly, carrying the same contrast between thick and thin strokes, the same constructed forms, and the same architectural weight and allowing signage and typography to speak in one continuous voice across the site.

When pairing the icon system with this typeface - the synergy between them is remarkable, as both typeface and iconography draw inspiration from the same motifs and geometric forms found in the Palace’s iconic brise-soleil. By sharing these design motifs, the signage and typography speak in one continuous voice, creating a cohesive visual experience across the site.

Bringing heritage Into everyday life 

CDA Independence was created to live beyond identity systems and into culture. Guided by CDA’s “Nice & Right” philosophy, the typeface approaches heritage as something living, useful, and deeply human, not only preserved, but continuously carried forward through everyday use. Designed as a shared tool for designers, artists, researchers, and future makers, Independence enables Vietnamese visual expression to evolve on its own cultural terms.

CDA Independence is our tribute to Dinh Độc Lập — a historic landmark that stands as a symbol of Vietnam's reunification, while embodying the nation's aspirations for modernity, culture, and progress.

We created this typeface to be used, shared, and built upon. Not only by designers, but by anyone who believes that local stories deserve to be seen, remembered, and reimagined.

As a creative consultancy with roots in Vietnam and a global perspective, we hope CDA Independence can help introduce a small piece of Vietnamese design heritage to new audiences around the world.

Download the font now and make it part of your story.

Free to use for personal and commercial projects.
Released under the SIL Open Font License 1.1.