"I consider collecting model cars as a therapy to heal my soul. Collecting is like going to school. You have to learn and research, find the most beautiful and wonderful things to add to your collection," Nguyen Duy Son Khe shared.
Nguyen Duy Son Khe with a collection of model cars of up to thousands - Photo: NVCC
At the age of 23, Nguyen Duy Son Khe, currently living in Da Lat, is already a well-known name in the model car community in Vietnam. Up to now, Son Khe has owned a collection of more than 1,000 model cars, with a total estimated value of about 600 million VND.
Passion from childhood
Talking about his chance to come to model cars, Son Khe said: "Perhaps it was due to the influence of childhood. Ever since I learned to walk, my father bought me cars and tiny iron toys. Later, when I grew up, I had a passion for speed, so in my mind there were always only 2-wheeled and 4-wheeled vehicles.
Those cars were deeply ingrained in my subconscious, making me develop a burning passion early on. Therefore, when I grew up, I decided to become a model collector, from classic to modern models."
Young man Nguyen Duy Son Khe has had a passion for model cars since he was very young - Photo: NVCC
But it wasn't until high school that Khe really pursued his hobby of model cars, starting with cars bought with the money he saved for breakfast. The amount wasn't much, but it was a fortune for a young student.
The hard part started even before the model car was born.
Not only collecting, Son Khe also personally made many famous car models, associated with many people's memories. According to the 10X guy, to make a satisfactory model, the most difficult part actually appeared before the car was born.
"That's the stage where I have to find the real version to observe in reality, then make the blank. Not every car has the conditions to study deeply.
For example, when I was on the road, I happened to see an interesting car, I could only take a photo with my phone. That made the process of making the blank take 5-10 times longer than usual.
Only when we have a satisfactory car model can we start painting it in the right color, only then can we have a work that looks like a miniature of a real car," Khe shared.
The process of learning about the car is not only about its structure but also about the story behind it. "A model car is not an inanimate object, but contains passion and aspiration. The car may be just small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but it contains the dream and knowledge of a real car," Son Khe said.
After having the idea, Khe started making the frame, engine and dozens of small details on the car. This step is done with the help of a 3D printer with the main material being resin. The 3D printer will create rough casts from the design file on the computer.
After the car parts are cooled, the painting and final assembly process begins. To create a "realistic" car, the painting stage is also very important. How to mix the most standard color, expressing the soul of the original car is not an easy task.
For example, with the Thai Honda Dream, how to produce the standard cockroach brown color will determine how authentic the final product is.
Each car requires a lot of effort and dedication to make. But if forced to choose the most difficult one, Khe would immediately think of the Honda Dream II (Thai Dream). Because that is the starting car so that Khe can easily create other legendary models later.
"The most difficult part when making this model is the fairing (also known as the apron). The real Honda Dream Thai fairing can be easily removed. Therefore, I wanted to make a model car with the same ability. To do this, I had to make a lot of adjustments to get the expected results. Thanks to this experience, I was able to create motorbikes with fairings that are easy to remove just like in real life," Son Khe said.
Although it is a feat, not all cars that are "baked" are perfect. Son Khe confessed that many cars have to rely on the support of the community, and there are even cars that "cannot be completed".
Not just a hobby
The hobby of playing with real models has been around in Vietnam for a long time, but many people think it is a "rich people's hobby", "child's play"... However, Son Khe does not agree with this point of view.
"There are model cars for beginners that cost only a few hundred thousand. Of course, at higher levels, there are cars that cost several million, several tens of millions. There are even cars that are as expensive as real cars, costing up to a trillion dong.
But any hobby is like that, there will be a beginning, practice and gradual improvement. I don't think you have to be rich to play it. If you learn by yourself, balance your economic life, even students can play it."
The process of making model cars is essentially an artistic and creative activity.
"My collection not only includes self-made cars but also the efforts of many model artisans in Vietnam. Especially the efforts of my family members. A collection is not only valuable in terms of money but also in terms of spirit," Khe said.
That's also the reason why when asked which car Khe likes the most, the young man admitted it was difficult to choose one.
"It's not just a hobby, but also a whole heart and soul put into a car. Even though they're just model cars, to me, they're no different from real cars. In addition to static model cars, when I'm tired or too stressed with life, I just go into the forest with a remote-controlled car, without bothering anyone and also effectively relieving stress.
The static model car helps the soul calm down, slow down, and feel very relaxed. The remote control car brings excitement, the feeling of driving as if it were a real car, handling situations, climbing hills, going on roads, and discovering new things.
Many people think it's a hobby, but in fact it's very useful. Deciding to press the gas or turn the steering wheel through the console is similar to how we decide situations in real life. When to be fast, when to be slow," Son Khe dismissed prejudices.
In particular, the young man also said that "playing while learning, learning while playing" is what can be gained from the passion for playing model cars in particular and healthy hobbies in general.
"Actually, when collecting models like this, I realized many things. It gave me many lessons. I also went through a difficult time to make my family understand my passion. Thanks to these seemingly inanimate cars, when I was alone, I felt like I could relieve stress, like having a companion to share with.
When I was a kid, I wasn't a very tidy person. But thanks to my hobby of playing with model cars, everything I did and my manners, whether at home or on the street, were very neat.
In a magical way, it was not me who taught myself but my hobbies and passions. It helped me become a better version of myself. Trying to be myself every day, what could be happier?", Son Khe shared.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chang-trai-so-huu-1-000-xe-mo-hinh-dam-me-giup-ban-than-tro-thanh-phien-ban-tot-hon-20250126182626553.htm
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