With just a handful of sand, 36-year-old Phan Quang Dung brings Vietnam’s everyday life to vivid reality.

Over the past 15 years, Dung has honed his craft, creating stunningly realistic sand art that captures pastoral landscapes and lifelike portraits of the nation's heroes.

From his workshop in Son Tra District, Da Nang, central Vietnam, Dung begins each new work of art by selecting a container and meticulusly filling it bit by bit with colorful grains of sand using a bamboo stick and specilized spoon. 

According to Dung, the key to a successful piece of sand art lies in patiently arranging each grain of sand. 

Once the container has been filled and Dung is happy with the finished work, he seals it off, ensuring that the sand is unable to be shaken out of position.

From start to finish, each piece takes anywhere from two to seven days to complete.

Some of Dung’s most famous works include depictions of the Rong Bridge, the Song Han Bridge, late President Ho Chi Minh, and even Cuban revolutionist Che Guevara.

"Creating sand paintings demands dexterity and intense focus," Dung explained.

"A small mistake that disrupts the colors can ruin the entire artwork."

Dung's pursuit of sand art mastery has not been without its challenges.

At times, the extensive time investment and meager financial returns have led him to contemplate abandoning his artistic endeavor.

In addition to the hours spent crafting his intricate sand sculptures, Dung embarks on lengthy journeys, covering over 500 kilometers between Da Nang and Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan Provinces, to procure the essential raw material for his art.

Only in the last few years has Dung's work become popular, earning his recognition at exhibitions and fairs.

His works are increasingly sought after as souvenirs and birthday gifts, providing him with a more stable income.

Prices for his sand paintings range from several hundred thousand to several million Vietnamese dong, depending on their complexity and size. (VND100,000 = US$4)

Aside from making art, Dung trains a small cohort of young people, hoping that the popularity of sand as a medium will continue to grow.

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