An unintended journey

Ball-jointed dolls (BJDs) are luxury items with high price tags, and the number of artisans capable of making these dolls in Vietnam is extremely limited. Nguyen Thi Thu Nga, born in 1990 in Hai Phong, is one of the few.

Nga’s journey into BJD creation began after an unexpected turn of events about ten years ago.

Nga had been fascinated with BJDs since high school, admiring their lifelike eyes and flexible posing capabilities. However, she couldn't afford one. In 2014, after working for two years and saving up, Nga ordered a BJD from South Korea.

But an issue during the transaction prevented her from purchasing her dream doll. This setback inspired Nga to try creating a doll herself. She researched doll-making techniques online, bought materials, and started experimenting.

Initially, Nga sculpted her dolls out of clay. The first products did not meet her aesthetic expectations. "At the beginning, I faced many difficulties. Learning on my own, I spent a lot on costly materials for trial and error," she explained.

Making BJDs on her own required Nga to learn and handle multiple steps, including model sculpting, makeup, designing clothes, shoes, accessories, and even hair styling.

"This work exposes me to dust, paint, chemicals, and inks regularly, so I had to invest in protective equipment to ensure my health while pursuing this passion," Nga shared.

Completing a high-quality BJD takes Nga from two to three months, or even up to two years. She has broken the process into five stages, each with a specific timeline.

The first stage, which can take one to two years, is creating the prototype. Next, she spends four months casting the doll in high-quality resin.

In the third stage, Nga spends two weeks on the doll's makeup and body detailing. She then makes the accessories and outfits in one to two months. Finally, she spends two days styling, photographing, and packaging the product.

"If I exclude the prototype-making phase, it takes me around two to three months to complete a BJD. Including the prototype, each doll takes around two years from start to finish," Nga explained.

Unique Vietnamese signature

After years of research and experimentation, Nga has developed a streamlined process for creating BJDs with premium resin. Her products are regarded as being on par with well-known international brands by the doll-collecting community.

Nga’s dolls are one-of-a-kind, each crafted with unique themes and stories, allowing them to pose flexibly with 24 ball joints.

To distinguish her dolls, Nga incorporates Vietnamese elements, such as traditional ao dai dresses, headpieces, and conical hats. These culturally inspired dolls are particularly popular with international buyers; some collectors have bought multiple dolls dressed in ao dai due to their love for Vietnam’s traditional attire.

Nga intends to incorporate even more Vietnamese imagery into her products in the future to further promote her homeland’s culture.

Currently, Nga has a large clientele of international buyers. Her handmade BJDs, each with a unique theme, are priced between 20 to 40 million VND. Despite the high cost, collectors and enthusiasts eagerly place orders.

"This work helps me develop my passion, patience, creativity, and the constant pursuit of innovation," Nga said. "Creating these dolls also motivates me in other aspects of my life and helps me relax, allowing me to focus and forget life’s pressures."