Nguyen Ngoc Minh Trang, a recent DTU graduate in Graphic Design, has earned seven international awards for works inspired by the character of Hoi An ancient town.
A design by Minh Trang that won an honorable mention at the Graphis New Talent Awards 2025
Hoi An lion dance, Japanese bridge, and ancient town in graphic design
“At just 23, Minh Trang has created six works across four categories - logo, gift, poster, brand - good for seven international design awards in the UK and the US,” is how designer Nguyen Tri Phuong Dong introduces her from the US. He also notes that he rarely saw anyone like her in the many years he has been mentoring students. “She’s the first Vietnamese student to achieve this,”
Minh Trang won big time with seven international awards for
works inspired by the character of Hoi An ancient town. Photo: TRUONG TRUNG
Nguyen Ngoc Minh Trang, a recent Graphic Design graduate from DTU with seven international awards under her belt, is starting her own business with modest loans from relatives.
Minh Trang is now living in a 10 m² rented room she shares with classmates and with a host of cardboard boxes of materials for souvenir-making. Her most prized possession is the printer she bought right after graduation to pursue her startup dream.
“I named my brand ‘Viet Faifo Gift’,” Minh Trang explains. “I hope to create souvenirs that carry the travelers’ personal mark on top of the character of my hometown Hoi An.”
When Minh Trang grew up, her mother had a souvenir stall at Hoi An night market, which is why her designs visually remind of the old town.
The logo “Faifo Gift” which Minh Trang created for her graduation project won an honorable mention at the Graphis New Talent Awards 2025.
The logo “Faifo Gift” which Minh Trang created for her graduation project
won an honorable mention at the Graphis New Talent Awards 2025
Minh Trang explains that the design is the result of four months of research into cultural symbols and incorporates the four seasons.
The logo reminds of gift box wrapping and evokes the architectural style of Hoi An - lanterns, reflections on the Hoai River, a blend of old and modern elements. The design reflects Minh Trang’s childhood memories of the dreamy, nostalgic town.
The “Hoi An Lion & Dragon Dance Troupe” logo won Minh Trang a silver award at the Graphis New Talent Awards 2025
The “Hoi An Lion & Dragon Dance Troupe” logo won Minh Trang a silver award at the Graphis New Talent Awards 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional lion dance. It recreates the lion’s head with the festive atmosphere and the resounding beat of jubilant drums.
She put much time into infusing the logo with merry colors, a spirit of community, the excitement of the festival, and her childhood memories of Hoi An.
Designs in the “Faifo Gift Design” series that won honorable mention at the Graphis New Talent Awards 2025
Gift basket full of ancient town designs
Most of Minh Trang’s award-winning works carry a touch of Hoi An. Every small detail - from single strokes and font choice to the placement of the logo within the design mockup - is crafted to be filled with the soul of the ancient town.
This laid the foundation for her startup project “Viet Faifo Gift”.
For MA Le Phuong Hieu, Deputy Dean of the DTU Faculty of Applied Arts, Minh Trang’s designs balance tradition and modernity.
According to him, Minh Trang’s award-winning designs are steeped in culture, and especially in the visual identity of Hoi An. In particular, Minh Trang’s designs - from concept development to finished product - take the form of souvenirs that have the power to delight and impress visitors.
Minh Trang explains how, for the near future, her startup project “Viet Faifo Gift” aims to create personalized souvenirs.
“The souvenirs my mother sold in the market always had me dreaming of creating something truly special, evoking the charm of the ancient town,” Minh Trang explains. “I wish the souvenirs I’ll design to not only be unique but also to carry the precious emotions travelers - and especially Gen Z - feel when they leave Hoi An.”
One of Minh Trang’s designs submitted to the logo and slogan competition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Tuoi Tre newspaper. Photo: TRUONG TRUNG
Six designs and seven international awards in two years
In addition to her seven international awards in 2024 and 2025, Minh Trang regularly enters logo design competitions to sharpen her skills. For the 50th anniversary of Tuoi Tre newspaper (founded September 2, 1975), she submitted three works.
(Media Center)