Unique architectural symbol of Ho Chi Minh City made of millions of toothpicks

Mr. Ho Ngoc Quoc Si has set a record with the largest bamboo toothpick model of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee building in Vietnam - Photo: DANG TUYET

Mr. Ho Ngoc Quoc Si said that his family used to live and work in Ho Chi Minh City. Besides his job as a restaurant manager, he often spends 6-8 hours a day creating with toothpicks.

Before making any architectural model, he will carefully research the historical and architectural characteristics of that model and then adjust the appropriate proportions to make it as realistic as possible.

Ben Thanh Market model with design similar to the original - Photo: DANG TUYET

At first, he only made small models for fun, then he had the idea of simulating iconic architectural works of Ho Chi Minh City such as: Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee building, Independence Palace, Nha Rong Wharf, St. Paul's Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market.

After that, he created more models of Uncle Ho's Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Central Highlands stilt house, Tam Quan gate ( Kien Giang ), Tam Quan gate (formerly Cao Lanh), and Marina Bay Sands tourist area (Singapore).

"The model of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee I made at a scale of 1:30 has all the details glued together with bamboo toothpicks and then cut into small pieces with the highest precision. I used more than 1 million toothpicks and it took more than 13 months to complete. Other models took 6-9 months depending on the design. The process of selecting and gluing the toothpicks alone took more than 50% of the time," said Mr. Si.

Close-up of the Independence Palace building, meticulously designed in every detail - Photo: DANG TUYET

Panoramic view of the Independence Palace model made of bamboo toothpicks, setting a Vietnamese record - Photo: DANG TUYET

Currently, Mr. Si still keeps 12 models on display for visitors to see and take photos at the Model Cafe (Cao Lanh City). "I am currently gluing toothpicks together to prepare to continue making the Statue of Liberty model," Mr. Si said.

Mr. Tran Van Dien, living in Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province, expressed: "I often come to drink coffee and see many unique models made by Mr. Si. It must be said that this is a result of hard work, creativity and dedication to create realistic architectural models."

Nha Rong Wharf Model - Photo: DANG TUYET

Model of President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - Photo: DANG TUYET

One Pillar Pagoda Model - Photo: DANG TUYET

Marina Bay Sands model, Singapore - Photo: DANG TUYET

Model of the ancient Cao Lanh Tam Quan Gate - Photo: DANG TUYET

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/doc-dao-kien-truc-bieu-tuong-tp-hcm-bang-hang-trieu-que-tam-20240409152805392.htm