Nguyen Van Huy, a 9X craftsman from Phu Luong, Thai Nguyen, has transformed driftwood into unique, lifelike sculptures, generating millions in revenue from his creative passion.

A surprising discovery

Nguyen Van Huy, born in 1996, grew up in a family of woodworkers but initially chose a different path. After graduating, he worked various jobs and eventually became a hairdresser.

His journey into driftwood artistry began by chance. One day, he noticed a piece of driftwood used as aquarium decor at his cousin’s house. Captivated by its natural beauty, Huy began collecting driftwood to create miniature landscapes and decorative models for aquariums and homes.

While arranging the wood pieces, he realized some resembled familiar animal shapes.

Huy soon started assembling these fragments into unique animal sculptures, relying on his imagination. When he posted photos of his creations on social media, he received an outpouring of interest and purchase inquiries.

Encouraged by this response, Huy left his hairdressing career to pursue driftwood art full-time.

Crafting lifelike sculptures

Huy sources driftwood from Ninh Thuan province, selecting pieces of varying shapes and sizes. After cleaning the wood, he visualizes the final product and carefully assembles the fragments using adhesives and stainless-steel screws.

Unlike traditional sculpting, Huy doesn’t use pre-made frames or molds. Instead, he lets the wood’s natural form guide his process, creating sculptures praised for their dynamic, lifelike appearance.

His portfolio includes a range of animals, such as sharp-toothed dinosaurs, expressive robots, majestic deer with antlers, and elegant peacocks and phoenixes with flowing feathers.

High demand and stable income

Huy’s craft requires creativity and a keen aesthetic sense. Each sculpture involves a meticulous process of selecting and assembling driftwood pieces that naturally align to create lifelike forms.

“The key is finding pieces that represent the shape, face, and eyes of the animal. These details bring life and soul to the sculpture,” Huy explains.

Huy primarily works on commission, with customers providing images of the desired model. He then identifies and assembles suitable wood pieces, minimizing cutting or shaping to preserve the material’s natural beauty.

Depending on the size and complexity, Huy takes 7–10 days to complete a sculpture, with some projects requiring up to a month. He emphasizes working only when inspired, as forcing the process often compromises the quality of the final product.

Huy’s sculptures, composed of hundreds or thousands of driftwood pieces, are one-of-a-kind. Collectors appreciate their originality and artistry, with prices ranging from several million to tens of millions of dong ($125–$4,200) per piece.

His work has earned him a stable monthly income of 30–40 million VND ($1,250–$1,650).

“I want my creations to be more than models - they are works of art. Each piece must be beautiful, sturdy, and full of life,” Huy says.