Make money by accident

At the end of the year, Le Van Hien (29 years old, Hoc Mon district, Ho Chi Minh City) often works hard to paint and turn plain coconuts into colorful Tet decorations.

This is a seasonal job during the Lunar New Year that Hien has been doing for the past 4 years. On normal days, Hien teaches drawing to children from 5 to 14 years old at home. When classes are temporarily suspended, Hien starts drawing and selling coconuts for Tet.

Le Van Hien has been involved in the profession of decorating coconuts for Tet since 2021.

Hien has been involved in decorating coconuts for Tet since 2021. That time, Hien accidentally surfed her phone and saw a video about drawing and decorating coconuts.

Having a talent for painting, Hien tried drawing a few pairs of coconuts to give to friends and relatives. Unexpectedly, the elaborately and beautifully decorated coconuts quickly attracted many people. They encouraged Hien to make more and sell coconut products for Tet.

Receiving many orders, the Hoc Mon boy started creating and earning extra money in 2021. Being new to the profession, Hien only painted simple designs on coconuts such as: apricot blossoms, peach blossoms, roses and calligraphy.

At that time, Hien sold coconuts for Tet at a price of 250,000 - 300,000 VND/pair.

Ho Chi Minh City boy improves Tet coconut designs over the years

Not stopping there, Hien continuously improves her skills and creates new designs to meet the increasing needs of customers.

Hien shared: “Every year, I introduce new designs for customers to choose from. I also have more experience in choosing materials, and the colors and strokes are also softer.”

Peak earning season during Tet

On the occasion of Tet At Ty 2025, Hien will apply the technique of making clay flowers on coconuts for Tet decoration. Before that, Hien spent about 1 month testing and perfecting the new decoration technique.

Hien decorates Tet coconut with clay flowers

To have a qualified coconut to display for Tet with clay flowers, choosing the coconut is very important. The coconut must be old and brown to be able to display for a long time during Tet, young coconuts are prone to having their stems come loose.

After having a quality coconut, Hien sprays a layer of paint according to the customer's wishes. Next, Hien draws a circle in the center and writes calligraphy, then attaches the pre-painted dragon and clay flowers to the coconut.

Flowers made from clay are not harmful to health.

“I usually make the clay flowers first so that they have time to dry completely. That way, the flowers won't get deformed even when transported long distances.

The most difficult and meticulous step in creating a coconut decorated with clay flowers is the flower piping technique.

The way to make clay flowers is similar to making buttercream flowers for cakes. You also need a piping tip, a piping bag, and most importantly, clay.

I use a type of clay that comes from China. This is a special type of clay for piping decorative flowers. This type does not affect the quality of the coconut water inside.

However, decorative coconuts are often displayed during Tet, taking full advantage of their beauty and not used to drink the water inside,” Hien shared.

A pair of coconuts decorated with clay flowers is sold for 600,000 VND. The coconuts can last for 1 - 3 months.

In addition to decorating coconuts with clay, Hien still maintains selling painted coconuts like every year, prices range from 500,000 - 600,000 VND/pair.

Each pair of clay decorative coconuts costs 600,000 VND

Depending on her main job, Hien can start decorating coconuts from the 20th or 23rd of December every year. Hien spends about 5-7 days to complete orders of coconuts for Tet.

Hien shared that her income during Tet from selling coconuts for Tet is around 18 - 24 million VND.

Even though she is always under pressure, racing against time, even staying up all night, Hien feels extremely happy.

Customers' positive feedback and satisfaction with the product is the greatest joy that the Hoc Mon guy has during Tet.

Hien took a photo "showing off his muscles" and created a coconut dish for Tet.

In addition to his passion for fine arts, Hien also loves bodybuilding and has been practicing for the past 6 years. Hien enjoys taking photos of himself “showing off his muscles” next to coconut sculptures for Tet.

Each of Hien's photos makes viewers both excited and surprised. Many people do not believe that this muscular, strong guy is so soft and skillful in every stroke.