Young Vietnamese turn seashells into unique fashion

For many, seashell-themed bikinis have become a popular way to stand out at the beach.

Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong, 23, from Tay Thanh Ward in Ho Chi Minh City, said she was captivated after seeing handmade seashell bikinis online and bought one ahead of a recent trip to Phan Thiet, a well-known coastal destination in south-central Vietnam.

"Each detail is so delicate. It's not cheap, but it's worth it. I got countless photos wearing it at the beach," she said.

Nguyen Thi Quynh Nhu, 19, who lives in Tan Son Nhat Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, chose two seashell bikinis in blue and pink for her upcoming birthday trip to Nha Trang, another popular beach spot in the same region.

"Blue reminds me of the sea, and pink feels softer while still helping you stand out," she said.

Behind the trend are young artisans like Lo Thi Thien, 25, from Son La Province in northern Vietnam, who runs 'An Thien Handmade' on the TikTok Shop e-commerce platform.

Thien began experimenting earlier this year, inspired by the image of a mermaid draped in shimmering shells.

Each bikini takes five to ten hours to complete, she explained, because the shells need to be cleaned, polished, and either dyed or kept natural. 

They are then fitted with soft lining to make them wearable.

Le Ngoc Nguyen, 25, from Vuon Lai Ward in Ho Chi Minh City, also runs a shop called 'Shop do mua Ha,' which she opened more than six months ago.

In addition to seashell bikinis, she and her sister handcraft handbags and conical hats adorned with shells.

"Every piece is one of a kind. That's something you can't get from mass production," she said, noting that her creations have reached customers across Vietnam and abroad.

Some foreign visitors have even bought seashell bikinis and conical hats as souvenirs.

"I want each item to tell a story about Vietnam's sea and people," she said.

The rise of seashell fashion reflects a broader interest among young Vietnamese in handmade and eco-friendly products.

During the recent National Day holiday from August 30 to September 2, Nguyen's shop introduced conical hats embroidered with the Vietnamese flag and silk hats with shells spelling out 'Vietnam,' which quickly became bestsellers.