Customers experience eggshell mosaic, one of the steps in the lacquer painting process.
Inspiration
From seemingly discarded eggshell fragments, Minh Vuong (a tourist from Da Nang ) meticulously used paint and glue to assemble a painting of a mythical horse. “At Nghia Collection, I got to try my hand at inlaying eggshells, one of the steps in lacquer painting, and also make some other souvenirs. Through this, I understand more about the cultural value of this region,” Vuong said.
Nghia Collection combines recycled materials with traditional craftsmanship. Scraps of fabric, old denim, coconut shells, and scrap wood are carefully selected and crafted into keychains, jewelry, wooden statues, and souvenirs. The value of these old materials is enhanced by the processing, design, and effort of the artisans.
Mr. Ngo Manh Quan, who has over 10 years of experience at Nghia Collection, shared: “We collect, select, and give new life to scraps of fabric that seemed to have reached the end of their life cycle, transforming them into lanterns carrying the colors, memories, and joy of the moon festival. For Nghia Collection, recycling is not just about materials. It's also about giving something old a fresh start, giving hands a chance, and continuing a story.”
Not stopping at just fashion items or small accessories, Nghia Collection also incorporates rustic materials such as sand, pebbles, dó paper, handmade paper, wood, coconut shells, etc., into its crafting art; distributing handmade notebooks and silk hair accessories to restaurants, hotels, and major events. As a result, waste materials are no longer a burden on the environment, but become a source of inspiration for creativity.
Telling stories about professions and providing livelihoods.
Through the "Hue Handicrafts Tell Stories" campaign and the "Each Product - A Living QR Code" initiative, inanimate objects have told stories of traditional culture. Alongside this, campaigns like "The Craftsman on Air" are striving to bridge the gap between artisans and the public. The allure of these authentically local products has attracted many domestic and international tourists from France, the USA, Italy, China, and other countries to Nghia Collection as a destination to experience making handicrafts that reflect the rich culture of Hue.
Instead of keeping the cultural story to themselves, Nghia Collection actively "takes Hue further afield." The establishment plans to open more commercial outlets in Da Nang and Hoi An . Most recently, they brought the cultural story of Hue to Hoi An, organizing a Mid-Autumn Festival lantern-making workshop that incorporated historical storytelling for 150 children, contributing to fostering in the younger generation a love and appreciation for heritage.
Beyond its cultural significance, the facility also aims to create livelihoods for artists, disadvantaged individuals, and people with disabilities. With the motto "Exchange scrap materials for Nghia Collection products," the model currently provides regular employment for several artists and approximately 10 seasonal workers. Thanks to the skillful hands, patience, and passion of these special craftspeople, discarded materials are transformed into unique and valuable works of art.
Mr. Truong Viet Loi, manager at Nghia Collection, shared: "The story of recycling here is not just about creating practical products, but also about the desire to transform each product into a work of art, possessing unique value and creating sustainable jobs for the community."
From the materials they gather, the craftsmen create products that can be used, given as gifts, or become part of an experiential activity. Each item therefore carries the hard work of the craftsman and the cultural story that the establishment wants to introduce to the buyer.