Young student from Vietnam’s Hoi An wins major international design awards

At just 23, Minh Trang became the first Vietnamese student to accomplish this feat with works across four categories: logo, gift, poster, and brand.

“She is an exceptionally rare student in all my years of teaching,” said designer Nguyen Tri Phuong Dong, based in the U.S., about the young graphic design graduate from Da Nang.

Lion dance in Hoi An comes to life in design

Growing up around her mother’s souvenir stall at a night market in Hoi An, a small town in Quang Nam Province, which was amalgamated into Da Nang on July 1, Trang absorbed the spirit of the ancient town, which continues to shape her work.

Her graduation project, Faifo Gift, won an Honorable Mention at the 2025 Graphis New Talent Awards after her four months of research into cultural symbols and the 'Four Seasons' motif.

The logo evokes not only gift box packaging but also Hoi An’s architecture, lanterns, and shimmering reflections on the Hoai River, blending classical and modern elements. 

For Trang, it reflects her childhood memories tied to the poetic, nostalgic townscape.

Another standout piece is the logo for the Hoi An Lion & Dragon Dance Troupe, which won a Silver Award at the same competition.

Inspired by the traditional lion dance, the logo captures the dynamic image of the lion head, the festive spirit, and the thunder of drums. 

Trang worked meticulously to infuse it with bright colors, a sense of community, and the excitement of celebration.

Starting business from ancient town

In the 10m² room she shared with a classmate, cardboard boxes filled with gift-making materials surrounded Trang. 

The most valuable item was the printer she bought immediately after graduation, financed with a modest family loan, to pursue her entrepreneurial dream.

“I named the brand Viet Faifo Gift, hoping to create personalized souvenirs for travelers using the textures and forms of my hometown, Hoi An,” Trang shared.

According to Le Phuong Hieu, vice-dean of applied arts at Duy Tan University in Da Nang, Trang’s designs skillfully blend tradition and modernity while strongly reflecting Hoi An’s cultural heritage.

“From concept to finished product, her designs can captivate and leave lasting impressions on visitors,” he noted.

Most of her award-winning works carry the 'soul of Hoi An.'

Every detail -- from lines and fonts to how logos are placed in mock-ups -- resonates with the town’s spirit.

“From the souvenirs my mother sold at the market, I always dreamed of creating something unique that captures Hoi An’s essence. I want my designs to be original and to leave travelers with lasting emotions, especially among Gen Z visitors,” Trang said about the future of her Viet Faifo Gift project, which aims to create highly personalized souvenirs.