Artisan ‘picks’ unique material to create miniaturized Ho Chi Minh City landmarks

Ho Ngoc Quoc Si, an artisan in Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province, regularly spends six to eight hours a day meticulously crafting intricate models of structures using bamboo toothpicks, all while successfully running a restaurant simultaneously.

Among the iconic landmarks of the southern metropolis that Si has recreated are the century-old Ho Chi Minh City edifice, Reunification Palace, and Nha Rong (Dragon) Wharf.

His family had previously resided and worked in Ho Chi Minh City, Si explained.

Before embarking on the creation of a miniaturized landmark, the craftsman diligently researches its history and structural features to determine its scale ratio with accuracy.

Initially, he made some models of bamboo toothpicks for his own amusement, but his passion soon expanded to crafting replicas of Ho Chi Minh City’s landmarks such as the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee headquarters, Reunification Palace, Nha Rong Wharf, and Ben Thanh Market.

Among his artworks of bamboo toothpicks are the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One-Pillar Pagoda, Tam Quan (Three-Entrance) Gate — a historical structure in Dong Thap — and even the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

“My replica of the Ho Chi Minh City edifice with a 1:30 scale ratio was crafted from over one million bamboo toothpicks and was finished after over 13 months,” Si recounted.

Meanwhile, each of the other models took him from six to nine months to complete.

Toothpick selection and meticulous attachment processes consume over 50 percent of the total crafting time.

“I am currently in the process of making a replica of the Statue of Liberty,” he disclosed.

His 12 exquisite replicas made of bamboo toothpicks are proudly displayed at Mo Hinh (Model) Coffee Shop in Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province, approximately 150 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City.

Tran Van Dien, a resident of Cao Lanh, expressed that he frequently visits the coffee shop to savor a cup of coffee while admiring the unique miniatures of famous landmarks.

Dien holds great appreciation for Si’s creativity and dedication to the art of using bamboo toothpicks to construct such impressive miniaturized structures.