Amazingly beautiful model made of bamboo toothpicks

Having been confined to a wheelchair after a work accident, it seemed that the life of Mr. Hua Van Minh (43 years old, residing in An Hai Bac Ward, old Son Tra District; now An Hai Ward, Da Nang City) would be filled with gloomy days. However, the simple bamboo sticks revived him, bringing him to a unique and extremely meaningful art form.

FROM COMFORT TOYS…

At the end of 2024, in an exhibition program at the Da Nang Museum, people and tourists visiting a booth were impressed by the bamboo toothpick models simulating iconic constructions of Da Nang, such as: Han River Bridge, Dragon Bridge, Tran Thi Ly Bridge... In particular, the model of the City Hall, which was designed according to the original with the image of a typical round lighthouse, made many people admire. The person who created these realistic works is Mr. Hua Van Minh, a construction engineer who has been forced to use a wheelchair for 14 years.

Close-up of the Dragon Bridge model, one of the tourist symbols of Da Nang City, made of bamboo toothpicks - PHOTO: HOANG SON

"In 2011, I was 29 years old. During a blasting inspection for the construction of a hydroelectric tunnel in Hue , I was crushed by a large rock that fell down. I escaped death, but from then on, I was paralyzed from the waist down," Minh recalled, adding: "After rehabilitation therapy and being able to sit up by myself, I felt very miserable because I was the breadwinner of the family. Thinking about the future, I felt extremely sad." During the days of staying in the corner of the house, Minh turned to assembling bamboo toothpicks as a way to relieve stress. In 2013, he decided to make a bigger and more complicated "project", a model of the Eiffel Tower. After 3 months of meticulously cutting and gluing each small toothpick, the product was finally completed.

Anh Minh said that every time he completed a work and gave it to his friends, they were moved by his meticulousness, meticulousness and the heart he put into it. Through his talented hands, the wonders of the world built with bamboo toothpicks came to life. Anh Minh continued to conquer iconic structures in localities across the country, such as: Ngo Mon - Hue Imperial City, One Pillar Pagoda, Turtle Tower, Khue Van Cac, My Thuan Bridge, Bai Chay Bridge, Ben Thanh Market, Central Highlands communal house... After more than 10 years of working with bamboo toothpicks, he has created more than 40 models simulating famous structures and heritages of the country. From just a hobby to kill time, gradually many people came to order, wanting him to make them as gifts.

Mr. Hua Van Minh, a construction engineer who is confined to a wheelchair after a work accident, introduces a model of the Han River Bridge made of bamboo toothpicks - PHOTO: HOANG SON

"Since then, I have had more income and motivation to stick with this job. It is the small bamboo sticks that have helped me find joy and meaning in life again," Minh confided.

… TO PROMOTE THE IMAGE OF DANANG

Having commissioned and made countless models, for Mr. Hua Van Minh, the most interesting and meaningful are still the symbolic works of his hometown coastal city. These are the Han River Bridge model made of bamboo toothpicks that can rotate like a real one; the Dragon Bridge with its curved body according to technical drawings; the Tran Thi Ly Bridge with its sophisticated cable-stayed bridge; and the Da Nang City Hall with its graceful, suggestive curves.

"What I learned about design drawings and construction plans helped me systematize numbers and calculate proportions so that viewers can feel the authenticity. But to ensure aesthetics, I also had to omit some details, just enough for viewers to still recognize the project, while creating a sense of harmony," Minh shared. With his careful nature, he often meticulously recorded parameters and created his own standard drawings before starting to create. Therefore, in the early stages, each product sometimes took several months just to complete the drawings. But once it was shaped, the implementation process was significantly shortened. It only took him a few days to create a complete model, so accurate that "a hundred are the same".

Model of Da Nang City Administrative Center made of bamboo toothpicks with unique design - PHOTO: HOANG SON

Talking about the process of completing each product, Mr. Minh said that once he had the drawing and the toothpicks were cut to the correct proportions and standard sizes, he began to assemble and glue each detail. After that, the parts were polished to form a complete model. Normally, just adding a layer of glossy paint for preservation is enough. For some special products, such as the Dragon Bridge, he had to paint it yellow to match the actual color, creating aesthetics. Mr. Minh said: "I usually order bamboo from the Da Nang Association of the Blind. After bringing it home, I carefully treat it to prevent termites, and at the same time apply glossy paint to limit mold. Thanks to that, if displayed in a normal environment, each model can last for over 10 years."

With a selling price of 600,000 VND/product, the iconic models made by Mr. Minh are popular with many tourists coming to Da Nang. In particular, in recent years, he has also become a supplier of diplomatic souvenirs for departments and branches of Da Nang City. He said that many people said that the handmade products were unique and elaborate but the selling price was quite cheap, he just smiled: "I only charge according to the price of ordinary labor". "Bamboo carries the national spirit, is light, durable, and easy to transport. Each model made from bamboo and followed by tourists to all regions is also a way to spread the image of my hometown Da Nang. For me, that is the greatest happiness", Mr. Minh smiled gently.

Interested readers can contact Mr. Hua Van Minh via phone number: 0332.502.047. (to be continued)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dep-ngo-ngang-mo-hinh-bang-tam-tre-185251030231045133.htm