The guy who owns 1,000 model cars: 'Passion helps me become a better version of myself'

"I consider collecting model cars as a therapy to heal my soul. Collecting is like going to school. You have to learn and research, find the most beautiful and wonderful things to add to your collection," Nguyen Duy Son Khe shared.

"I see collecting model cars as a form of therapy to heal my soul. Collecting is like going to school. You have to learn and research, find the most beautiful and amazing things to add to your collection," Nguyen Duy Son Khe shared.

Nguyen Duy Son Khe with his collection of model cars numbering in the thousands - Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

At the age of 23, Nguyen Duy Son Khe, currently living in Da Lat, has become a well-known name in the model car community in Vietnam. To date, Son Khe owns a collection of over 1,000 model cars, with an estimated total value of around 600 million VND.

Passion since childhood

Recounting how he came to be involved with model cars, Son Khe said: "Perhaps it's due to the influence of my childhood. From the time I was a toddler, my father bought me tiny toy cars made of metal. Later, as I grew up, I developed a passion for speed, so all I ever thought about were two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles."

Those cars were deeply ingrained in my subconscious, sparking a burning passion for them early on. Therefore, as I grew up, I decided to become a model car collector, from classic to modern models."

Young Nguyen Duy Son Khe developed a passion for model cars from a very young age - Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

But it wasn't until high school that Khe truly pursued his hobby of collecting model cars, starting with the ones he bought with his saved breakfast money. The amount wasn't large, but it was a fortune for a young schoolboy.

The difficult part began even before model cars were invented.

Besides collecting, Son Khe also personally creates many iconic car models, associated with memories for many people. According to the young man, the most difficult part of creating a model to his liking actually happens before the car is even built.

"That's the stage where I have to find a real model to observe firsthand, and then make the mold. I don't have the opportunity to study every car in depth."

For example, when I'm walking down the street, I might come across an interesting car, and I can only manage to take a picture of it with my phone. This can make the mold-making process take 5-10 times longer than usual.

"Only when we have a satisfactory car model can we begin painting it in the correct color, and only then can we create a masterpiece that looks like a miniature version of a real car," Khe shared.

The process of understanding the model car is not just about its structure, but also about the story behind it. "Model cars are not inanimate objects; they contain passion and aspirations. The car may be small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but it holds the dreams and knowledge of a real car," Son Khe said.

After developing the idea, Khe began making the frame, engine, and dozens of small parts for the vehicle. This process was done with the help of a 3D printer using resin as the main material. The 3D printer would create rough prototypes from the design file on the computer.

After the car parts have cooled, the painting and final assembly process begins. To create a truly realistic car, the painting process is also crucial. Mixing the colors accurately to capture the essence of the original vehicle is no easy task.

For example, with the Thai-made Honda Dream, achieving the perfect reddish-brown color will determine the authenticity of the final product.

Each motorcycle he creates requires a lot of effort and dedication. But if forced to choose the most difficult one to make, Khe would immediately think of the Honda Dream II (Thai Dream). Because that was the starting point that allowed Khe to easily create other legendary motorcycle models afterward.

"The most difficult part of building this model was the side panels (also known as the fairings). The side panels of a real Honda Dream Thai can be easily removed. Therefore, I wanted to create a model that could do the same. To achieve this, I had to make many adjustments to meet expectations. Thanks to this experience, I was able to create models of motorcycles with easily removable side panels, just like real ones," Son Khe recounted.

Despite the meticulous effort, not every car that "comes off the production line" is perfect. Son Khe admits that many cars require community support, and some even "never turn out right after repeated attempts."

It's not just a hobby.

The hobby of collecting real-life models has been around in Vietnam for a long time, but many people consider it a "hobby for the rich," "childish pastime," etc. However, Son Khe disagrees with this view.

"There are model cars for beginners that cost only a few hundred thousand dong. Of course, at a higher level, there are those costing several million or tens of millions of dong. There are even some that are as expensive as real cars, costing up to a thousand dong."

But like any hobby, there's always a beginning, a period of practice, and gradual improvement. I don't think you need to be from a wealthy family to enjoy it. If you learn on your own and balance your financial life, even students can enjoy it."

The process of creating model cars is essentially an artistic activity, a process of exploration and creativity.

"My collection includes not only models I made myself, but also the work of many model-making artisans in Vietnam. It also includes the contributions of family members. A collection that is not only valuable in monetary terms but also in terms of sentimental value," Khe said.

That's also why, when asked which car he liked best, Khe admitted it was difficult to choose one.

"It's not just a hobby, but a passion poured into each car. Even though they're just model cars, to me, they're no different from real cars. Besides the static model cars, when I'm tired or too stressed with life, I just go into the forest with my remote-controlled car, without bothering anyone, and it's an effective way to relieve stress."

Static model cars help calm the mind, slow down, and create a very relaxing feeling. Remote-controlled cars, on the other hand, offer excitement, the feeling of driving a real car, handling situations, climbing hills, navigating roads, and discovering new things.

Many people think it's just a hobby, but in reality, it's very useful. Deciding whether to press the gas pedal or steer the wheel via the control panel is similar to how we make decisions in real-life situations. When to go fast, when to go slow," Son Khe dismissed the misconceptions.

In particular, the young man also stated that "learning through play, and playing through learning" is what one can gain from a passion for collecting model cars in particular, and healthy hobbies in general.

"Actually, collecting models like this has taught me so much. It's given me many lessons. I also went through a pretty difficult time trying to get my family to understand my passion. Thanks to these seemingly inanimate vehicles, when I'm alone, it feels like I'm relieving stress, like I have a companion to share things with."

When I was a boy, I wasn't very tidy either. But thanks to my hobby of collecting model cars, everything, both at home and out in public, has become very neat and organized.

"In a miraculous way, it wasn't me who taught myself, but my interests and passions that taught me. They helped me become a better version of myself. Striving to be myself every day, what could be happier than that?", Son Khe shared.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chang-trai-so-huu-1-000-xe-mo-hinh-dam-me-giup-ban-than-tro-thanh-phien-ban-tot-hon-20250126182626553.htm