Over the past eight years, Nguyen Phuong De from An Giang province has meticulously hand-crafted hundreds of eye-catching model warships, aircraft carriers, and luxury yachts.

His home in Vinh Thuan Hamlet, Vinh Hanh Commune, Chau Thanh District, An Giang, has earned the nickname “shipyard” from locals, thanks to the steady stream of military and civilian vessel models he builds.

Among the most striking pieces on display is an aircraft carrier, which took De more than 40 days to construct. Every detail has been carefully rendered with precision and finesse.

De shared that his passion for making model ships was ignited during his school years, when he would craft small boats from plastic bottles and set them afloat on rivers. After working various jobs, his career took a turn when he began managing sound and lighting systems for events - and there, he saw model fishing boats on display in restaurants and hotels.

With sharp eyes and skillful hands, he crafted his first model fishing boat from foam - a simple creation that sparked his enduring passion.

Despite having no formal training in design, architecture, or craftsmanship, De is entirely self-taught. “I just search online and learn by doing - making things as I go and refining my skills along the way,” he said.

“Without access to actual ships, I rely on photos and videos from TV and online. So, the models may not be 100% accurate. As for military models, I haven’t sought official permission, because for me, it’s purely a hobby to explore and appreciate the engineering behind military vessels - not for any other purpose,” he added.

According to De, composite plastic is the ideal material for shipbuilding models - it’s lightweight, durable, and easy to move. From design sketches, he creates molds and pours liquid composite to form hulls, later adding other components.

To make his models visually striking, De installs multicolored lighting systems and even fits them with motors.

Today, his home “shipyard” has launched nearly 100 models of all sizes and types - from basic fishing boats and lavish cruise ships to legendary replicas like the Titanic and modern naval warships and aircraft carriers.

Depending on complexity and craftsmanship, each model sells for anywhere from a few million VND to tens of millions (approx. $100 to $400+). Most buyers purchase them as gifts or for display purposes.

“I’m always looking to create more beautiful, challenging, and diverse models to meet the growing demand,” De shared.

Tran Tuyen