Phan Quang Dung, born in 1988 in Da Nang, is the creator of extraordinary sand paintings. From shimmering grains of sand, he crafts intricate artworks that captivate viewers with their originality and detail.

Dung discovered the art of sand painting over ten years ago while working as a chef in Hanoi. He happened upon a TV program showcasing how tiny grains of sand could be transformed into breathtaking art through skilled hands.

Enchanted by this art form, he made the bold decision to quit his job and travel to Ho Chi Minh City to learn sand painting under artisan Y Lan.

Balancing his culinary job with learning sand painting, Dung found the craft much more challenging than he had anticipated. The process demanded extreme patience and meticulousness, leading him to consider giving up several times in his first three months of training.

However, his passion kept him determined. After two years of persistence, he mastered the most advanced level of sand painting- portraiture - and decided to bring this art form back to his hometown.

With a pair of skilled hands and boundless creativity, Dung produces vivid, unique artworks. His subjects range from landscapes and portraits to calligraphy. Depending on size and complexity, it takes him anywhere from three days to half a month to complete a single painting.

Dung's sand paintings are entirely handmade and free of adhesives. He uses natural sand, which he personally collects from beaches, riverbanks, and streams in different provinces.

"I often travel to places like Binh Thuan, Phan Thiet, and Hue to gather sand. Natural sand is durable and comes in diverse colors like white, yellow, brown, red, black, and even blue," Dung shared. He meticulously washes, dries, and sifts the sand to achieve a fine texture suitable for his art.

Dung begins each piece by sketching the composition on a glass surface, which serves as the base of the frame. Unlike other types of painting, sand paintings are created layer by layer, from the bottom up.

His tools are simple: a sharpened bamboo stick to compress the sand and a spoon for sprinkling and shaping it. Despite the narrow workspace of about 1cm within the frame, Dung can create paintings that feature different designs on both sides.

"Patience and focus are crucial in this craft. Each layer of sand must be carefully placed without adhesives, requiring precision in every detail," Dung explained.

Dung’s paintings often feature portraits and landscapes. They are priced from 300,000 VND to several million VND and are popular as gifts and souvenirs.

Over the years, young enthusiasts have sought him out to learn more about this distinctive art form.

Looking ahead, Dung plans to create a portrait collection of President Ho Chi Minh and provide free training to disabled and disadvantaged individuals in Da Nang, aiming to help them build livelihoods through art.