6 designs, 7 international awards, female student brings Hoi An ancient town's identity to the world

A design by Minh Trang won the Honorable Mention Award at the Graphis New Talent Awards 2025 - Photo: NVCC

Lion of Hoi An, Japanese Covered Bridge, Old Quarter in Graphics

“At the age of 23, Minh Trang has 6 works in 4 categories including logo, gift, poster, brand, winning 7 international design awards in the UK and the US. This is the first Vietnamese student to achieve this achievement” - from the US, designer Nguyen Tri Phuong Dong introduced us to a character he called “rare” in many years of guiding students.

Minh Trang wins big with 7 international awards featuring the style of Hoi An ancient town - Photo: TRUONG TRUNG

Female student Nguyen Ngoc Minh Trang, who just graduated from the graphic design department of Duy Tan University ( Da Nang ) with 7 international awards, is starting her own business with a small loan from relatives.

The 10m² room Trang shares with her classmates is filled with cardboard boxes containing materials for making gifts. The most valuable is the printer she bought right after graduation to realize her dream of starting a business.

“I named the brand Viet Faifo Gift, with the desire to create gifts that bear the personal mark of tourists based on the materials and features of my hometown Hoi An,” Trang shared.

Having been attached to her mother's souvenir stall in Hoi An night market since childhood, Trang's designs always vaguely recall the familiar old town.

Recently, the logo in Trang's graduation project "Faifo Gift" won the Honorable Mention Award at the Graphis New Talent Awards 2025.

The logo of Trang's graduation project "Faifo Gift" won the Honorable Mention Award at the Graphis New Talent Awards 2025 - Photo: NVCC

Trang said this is the result of 4 months of researching cultural symbols, combining the images of the four seasons.

The logo not only simulates the gift box packaging but also evokes the architecture of the old town, lanterns, and the Hoai River, while blending classic and modern elements. This design reflects Trang's childhood memories, associated with a poetic, nostalgic space.

The logo "Hoi An Lion & Dragon Dance Troupe" brought Trang the Silver Award at the Graphis New Talent Awards 2025 - Photo: NVCC

The “Hoi An Lion & Dragon Dance Troupe” logo helped Trang win the Silver Award at the Graphis New Talent Awards 2025. Trang said that this design was inspired by traditional lion dance, recreating the image of a lion head with the bustling festival atmosphere and the resounding drum beats.

She spent a lot of time infusing the logo with cheerful colors, community spirit, festival excitement and childhood memories in Hoi An.

Faifo Gift Design designs won the Honorable Mention Award of the Graphis New Talent Awards 2025 - Photo: NVCC

Gift basket with bold old town design

Most of the designs that brought Trang awards have more or less "Hoi An quality". Every little detail such as lines, fonts, and the way the logo is placed on the design simulation to imbue the spirit of the ancient town...

This is also the premise for the petite girl to start the startup project 'Viet Faifo Gift'.

Master Le Phuong Hieu, deputy head of the Faculty of Applied Arts at Duy Tan University, said Minh Trang's designs harmoniously combine tradition and modernity.

According to Mr. Hieu, Trang's award-winning designs can carry strong cultural imprints, especially images of Hoi An.

In particular, Trang's designs, from developing ideas to completing products, are souvenirs that have the ability to excite and impress visitors.

Trang said that in the near future, the startup project 'Viet Faifo Gift' will aim for personalized gifts.

"From my mother's souvenirs at the market, I wanted to make something special with the old town's mark.

"I hope that the gift designs not only emphasize uniqueness but also bring precious emotions to every tourist when leaving Hoi An, especially the Gen Z customer group," Trang said.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/6-thiet-ke-7-giai-thuong-quoc-te-nu-sinh-vien-mang-ban-sac-pho-co-hoi-an-ra-the-gioi-20250818164602779.htm