In Ho Chi Minh City, there are special jobs that require passion, meticulousness, and resilience. These can be traditional jobs or new ones emerging due to the development process and modern tastes. VietNamNet introduces a series of articles on “Unique jobs in Ho Chi Minh City” that highlight the creativity of workers.

In HCM City, Mr. Nguyen Le Uyen Vien meticulously uses 24K gold to patch and mend broken pieces, reviving souvenirs with new beauty. Sitting for hours in silence, he puts all his mind into his work, transforming damaged ceramics into unique works of art.

Mr. Nguyen Le Uyen Vien, born in 1975, is renowned for his ability to use gold to patch ceramics. A tea lover and collector of rare and antique ceramic products, Mr. Vien found himself saddened when some of his precious teapots were chipped or cracked.

Initially, he sought help from craftsmen on Le Cong Kieu Street (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), who used silver to patch the ceramics. However, the repairs often leaked, and some used toxic glue, rendering the items unusable.

Later, he discovered Japanese ceramics and the Kintsugi technique, which uses gold to repair broken pieces. This technique, which has existed since the 15th century, not only restores but enhances the beauty of damaged ceramics.

Intrigued, Mr. Vien studied and created tools to perform Kintsugi, reviving his collection of cracked and broken teapots and cups into beautiful, artistic, and valuable items.

Mr. Vien has become one of the few successful practitioners of gold patching in Ho Chi Minh City. He now offers his services to ceramic lovers across the country, repairing items that hold special meaning for their owners.

Gold patching requires several stages and can take from days to months, depending on the extent of the damage. The process involves sanding, cleaning, and applying glue mixed with gold powder to create a seamless and aesthetic patch. If a piece is entirely missing, he adds 24K gold leaf, sanding and polishing it to match the original surface.

The hardest part of the job is not just gluing the pieces together but turning the cracks and patches into something beautiful and artistically intentional.

Mr. Vien often customizes his work to reflect the personality of the item's owner, creating designs that enhance the object's emotional and aesthetic value.

Mr. Vien's meticulous work has made him a trusted name in the community. His services are not cheap, with costs ranging from 300,000 VND to several million VND, depending on the complexity and amount of gold required. However, the results are often more beautiful and valuable than the original, undamaged items.

Mr. Vien's passion for collecting and restoring ceramics is evident in his dedication to the craft. Despite not being a professional craftsman, he has turned gold patching into a lucrative side job, bringing joy and satisfaction to himself and those who seek his services.

"Whenever I work, I often concentrate highly, sitting for hours in silence. Beside me is only a cup of tea and meaningful, profound stories about life," he shared.

"The job helps me satisfy my passion for collecting and repairing precious and ancient ceramics. Moreover, I receive a lot of joy and happiness when I can heal souvenirs and objects with special meaning for people in need."