Nguyen Van Dung besides his works
Dung's miniature heritage houses have captivated many with breathtaking precision and intricate detail, turning admiration into awe. What started as a passion has become both an art form and a thriving livelihood, proving that craftsmanship and heritage can go hand in hand.
Creating hundreds of miniature heritage houses
Nguyen Van Dung, born in 1984, lives and works in the northern province of Nam Dinh. Since childhood, he has been fascinated by his hometown's traditional architecture, particularly the ancient tiled-roof houses and moss-covered yellow walls.
In 2019, when work was disrupted due to the Covid-19 lockdown, Dung finally had time to explore and create miniature models of heritage houses.
With a background in architecture, expertise in technical drawings, construction, and structural design, meticulous craftsmanship, and deep affection for his homeland, Dung produced his first mini heritage houses, which quickly garnered admiration.
"I grew up in an old house, so these traditional homes are a part of my childhood. Every miniature model I create is based on a real-life building. For nearby houses, I visit them personally, take measurements, and capture multiple photographs to draft my design.
For distant houses, I rely entirely on images. If possible, I ask friends who live near those buildings to take extra photos to ensure accuracy. Fortunately, everyone has been very supportive," Dung shared.
A building at 44 Le Thai To in Hanoi.
Dung's models are built at a 1:35 scale. A standard house model takes him two to three weeks to complete, while larger or more complex buildings can take several months.
He emphasises that every step — from research and drafting blueprints to selecting materials, assembling components, and painting — is crucial. Dung meticulously chooses materials and paints to ensure his models capture heritage structures' authentic, timeworn charm.
"I use everyday items as long as they fit the purpose, from small rubber fragments to repurposed plastic. The completed models are extremely sturdy and can last long unless hit hard," he added.
From passion to a thriving side business
Dung noted that many old houses have deteriorated and are now scarce. He hopes to preserve the beauty of these historic structures through his miniatures, which have stood the test of time alongside the nation's history.
His family has always supported his passion, motivating him. Dung has two children who are fascinated by his work and often watch curiously as he constructs his models.
Initially, he created miniatures of notable heritage buildings purely for personal keepsakes. However, after sharing his work on social media, many people expressed admiration and began commissioning custom models.
"Some clients send me dimensions and images, asking me to recreate their current homes as souvenirs. Others, including companies and cafés, commission display models from small to large sizes.
My main job has flexible hours, allowing me to allocate time for making models. This way, I can pursue my passion while earning additional income," Dung explained.
In addition to heritage houses, he also crafts highly detailed motorcycle models. Initially, he made them as decorative elements for his house models. However, they have become sellable, with prices ranging from a few hundred thousand to several million Vietnamese dong per piece.
"I charge around VND 3-4 million for a standard house model. For large-scale buildings requiring extended work, prices range from VND 20-30 million per model.
Over the years, I've created countless models — too many to count. There are some that I was particularly proud of and wanted to keep, but eventually, due to persistent customer requests, I have sold almost all of them," Dung said.
