By Hồng Linh

Hundreds of eye-catching drawings on mobile shops, created by a young couple, have appeared on HCM City streets with the goal of helping struggling vendors promote their products.

Nguyễn Phan Thanh Phượng, 25, and her husband Nguyễn Phú Thịnh, 29, both work in the fields of arts and communications in HCM City. Currently, they own a TikTok channel with 452,900 followers and 10.4 million likes.

Their channel, 'Vẽ Hạnh Phúc' (Draw Happiness), features videos documenting their journey around the city, discovering street vendors facing difficulties, and re-painting the signboards on their mobile shop for free.

The initial video depicting the creation and embellishment of signboards for less fortunate street vendors was shared on TikTok on May 12, 2023, marking a milestone in the journey that resulted in over 100 sign boards on mobile shops across HCM City and nearby provinces.

Nguyễn Phan Thanh Phượng (left) and Nguyễn Phú Thịnh (centre) pose with the brand-new signboard they have made on a mobile shop — Photo courtesy of Phượng

Phượng says that their idea came up serendipitously: “When we go out on the streets, we often come across numerous street vendors, particularly elderly men and women or people with disabilities. Many of their mobile shops lack catching signboards or have very old and faded signs. It becomes challenging for us to read and understand what they are selling.”

"These mobile shops are mostly owned by poor people. For many families, their entire livelihood depends on these street vending vehicles, yet the sales are often slow, with daily earnings sometimes ranging from only VNĐ100,000 to 200,000 (US$5 to 7),” Phượng says.

“Moreover, we also realise that producing a signboard might be challenging in these circumstances. Therefore, we came up with the idea of painting and decorating these vehicles to make them stand out and attract more customers. Our aim is to boost sales for these vendors and, in some way, assist those in need."

Without a fixed schedule, whenever they have some free time, Phượng and Thịnh hop on their motorbike and roam around HCM City, searching for street vendors without specific signboards. Upon spotting someone in need, they approach and inquire if they can create a signboard for them, capturing the process on camera.

Nguyễn Phú Thịnh and Nguyễn Phan Thanh Phượng (from left to right) draw a new signboard on a mobile shop. Photo courtesy of Phượng

For street vendors who agree to have their mobile shops painted, they only have about 30 minutes to one hour to complete an artwork, as these people need to move to other selling spots. Meanwhile, for stationary stalls, the timeframe is more flexible, allowing them approximately two to three hours to both chat and brainstorm ideas while creating the work.

Each video showcasing the decoration and signboard-making process is uploaded to their social media pages. Specific details about the address and time of sales are provided, making it easy for customers to locate these points.

One notable video features the decoration of a street food cart selling fried rice cakes of Nguyễn Thị Liên Hoa, 72, on Điện Biên Phủ Street, District 1. This cart was crafted by her late husband more than 30 years ago, holding significant value as a memory.

Nguyễn Thanh Phương decorates a street food cart selling fried rice cake for Nguyễn Thị Liên Hoa,72, on Điện Biên Phủ Street, District 1, HCM City. — Photo courtesy of Phượng

The couple uses acrylic paint and other materials for their creations. Phượng says that the type of paint she chooses is durable, capable of withstanding weather conditions such as sunshine and rain, and can be used outdoors for a minimum of one or two years.

Phượng says that the biggest challenge is finding subjects to paint, given the mobility of many elderly vendors. Adverse weather conditions and occasional rejections from potential subjects add to the difficulties. Additionally, the cost to create a signboard can be quite high, further contributing to the challenges they face in their initiative.

But for them, the experiences they gain, along with the happiness they bring about and the values they share, constitute the greatest source of joy.

Through the videos they share, both of them aim to spread a positive message of belief, empathy, and optimism. The couple hopes that if someone watches these touching moments, it will inspire them to open their hearts and cultivate more beautiful human values. VNS