From materials thrown away, he opens up the dream of sustainable recycling, where vulnerable people can find the joy of life and good work again.
The journey to find the green dream
14 years ago, when he first saw a hat made from a can of worm, Nguyen realized the ability to "revive" seemingly worthless materials. The recycling idea started out of curiosity but gradually grew into an aspiration: Turning waste into works of art, bringing Vietnamese handicrafts to the world.
In the early days, Nguyen connected with artisan Thang - who has been involved in the metal craft for more than 15 years. They tried the first, beautiful products but have not met the market requirements. Nguyen paused, but his dream did not go away. It just waited for him to be mature enough to return.
In 2023, when she had accumulated enough experience, Nguyen met artisan Thang again and established Viet Legacy Gifts. They started from a small workshop in Dong Nai, setting a simple goal: Try to see how far those cans can go.
The first vocational apprentice of the workshop was Mr. No, an older worker who wanted to find joy after retirement. After 3 months of hard work, he became the main artisan. The day he finished the first detail, he held it for a long time and said that he had " found more joy once again". That moment was the moment that made him understand that the greatest value of recycling does not lie in materials but in humans who are revived with it.
From initial projects, the product has gradually reached sophistication and artistry. The models and decorations made from cans are accepted by American and Australian customers as a unique handicraft beauty. International customers are not only looking for an item but also for a story: The story of turning waste into a work, turning small dreams into a lasting green journey.
Green start-ups associated with disadvantaged people
What makes the difference in Thanh Nguyen's handmade gifts is not only the recycling technique but also the consistent humanistic philosophy: Creating livelihoods for the disadvantaged. The workshop is open to people with disabilities, the elderly, orphans - those who are often on the sidelines of the labor market. For Nguyen, sustainability is not only the environment but also social justice.
The workshop divides the steps according to each person's ability: Who is meticulous in details, who is healthy in taking charge of shaping, who is patient in handling the parts evenly. There is no discrimination, only phu away. Thanks to that, used to be self-made become flexible, careful and create products that surprise foreign customers with their sophistication.
Nguyen said that he did not see the barrier as many people still thought: "Over-used cans can still be turned into works, so even people with disabilities can find a suitable and passionate job".
That belief helps him persevere with this special training and recruitment model. The result was that after 2 months of vocational training, those who seemed unable to do the handmade work released their first product. The joy was evident on their faces, a rustic but very real joy like writing a new chapter in life.
Surprisingly, international customers themselves are the strongest supporters. They choose products not only for aesthetic reasons but also for a humanistic philosophy. For them, each product is not just for display but a story that deserves to be spread.
In the future, Nguyen wants to expand the workshop, welcome more disadvantaged people to work, diversify products and build a wide recycling collection network. "The ultimate goal is to not only revive each can, but also help a person's passion to revive with it" - Nguyen confided.
Nguyen's green start-up is not noisy, not disruptive. But it is that perseverance that creates a beautiful journey: From an unforgettable can of sweat, to works of art; from people who seem to be forgotten, to hands given back opportunities. A journey where the smallest things can light up hope.
