Vỹ Nguyễn – a creative collaborator with Bát Tràng Museum Atelier, known for his floral installations on handcrafted ceramic vases.
This interview by journalist Hoàng Lê was originally published in ELLE Decoration Vietnam and explores Vỹ Nguyễn’s inspirations and his journey over more than 10 years in floral artistry.
Florist Vỹ Nguyễn has spent over a decade crafting poetic floral installations. He has designed florals for major exhibitions and events hosted by brands such as Gucci, Chanel, Bentley, Shiseido, Ferragamo, Baccarat, and McLaren.
Behind Vỹ Nguyễn’s dreamy and poetic floral arrangements lies a devoted artist with a curious, humble spirit. He is currently shaping a distinctive floral style that pairs flowers with signature product designs from Vietnamese brands, creating a uniquely local imprint.
Raised among blooms, Vỹ Nguyễn’s deep-rooted connection to flowers began early. His first encounters with floristry took place in his mother’s modest flower shop in Nha Trang. Watching her work daily, he began experimenting with discarded flowers, unknowingly laying the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of beauty.
A key charm lies in his elegant pairing of flowers with unique handcrafted ceramic vases.
Surprisingly, floristry wasn’t his first career choice. He once aspired to be a fashion designer or a makeup artist. Perhaps, as he says, “the craft chose me.” After moving to Saigon around 12 years ago, intending to study makeup, Vỹ instead found himself drawn to the world of floral artistry—and never looked back.
His career in floristry began with both fortune and diligence. While working at 38 Degree Flowers, he gained valuable on-the-job experience and participated in training trips across Malaysia, Singapore, and France that helped refine his technique.
Just like his gentle personality, Vỹ Nguyễn’s floral compositions are delicate and poetic, often built around soft curves and pastel hues. His work champions natural expression, minimizing artificial embellishments so flowers can shine on their own terms.
Beyond a strong personal aesthetic, Vỹ’s positive attitude toward his craft is revealed in his readiness to explore new, demanding fields. Among his most memorable projects is the 2022 Cine Gucci event at the Saigon Opera House, where he and his team worked around the clock during the summer heat to keep the floral installation fresh and radiant for several days. Another pivotal moment in his career was designing flowers for the Vietnamese film Gái Già Lắm Chiêu 3, known for its richly decorated sets. Although it was his first time working with a film crew, Vỹ adapted quickly, adjusting to the industry’s pace and collaboration style to meet tight production deadlines.
Despite the challenges, he hopes to be involved in more film projects in the future, as they push him to research and innovate beyond his comfort zone. To keep his creative energy flowing, Vỹ prioritizes balance in all aspects of life. Harmony with collaborators is equally important—trust and shared vision are key factors that empower his artistic freedom.
More than a decade into his floral journey, Vỹ Nguyễn still carries the same passion and conviction for his craft. When routine feels repetitive, he turns to other interests—like photography and spatial design—to enrich his perspective and skills. He dreams of sharing his floral techniques and passion with a wider audience, and is currently preparing for this goal with thoughtful planning and continued learning.
For Vỹ Nguyễn, creative energy emerges when life and work are in harmony. Sometimes, slowing down to appreciate the beauty in simple things can reveal unexpected sources of inspiration. To him, flowers are more than decorative objects—they’ve shaped his personality, emotional depth, and worldview. In quiet moments spent arranging blooms, he finds clarity, reflection, and meaning in the vibrant story of life.
