A group of seven art and design students have created a collection of illustrations featuring the street carts often seen on Ho Chi Minh City streets in Viet Nam, with the eye-catching photos of the colorful works going viral among both local and foreign users on Facebook.

The idea of drawing the commonly found carts began with Huyen My, the original artist to showcase the project “Viet Nam Street Carts,” on her Facebook on 10 May.

Several Vietnamese street carts are seen in this photo combination. Tuoi Tre News

The album, collecting over 3,000 shares and 2,200 likes at the time of writing, features 13 photos of carts selling bananas, oranges, and jams, as well as motorbikes and bicycles laden with fish, coconuts, flowers, and balloons.

There is also a photo of the ganh, the bamboo yokes hung with baskets at each end used to carry stuff, that sells hu tieu (noodle).

Huyen My and another group member study graphic design, while the remaining are visual art students, she told Tuoi Tre News on 12 May.

“The other day I came across a project featuring street carts in India. I showed it to my friends and told them we should use it as a reference point to began illustrating our Vietnamese equivalents,” the 20-year-old said.

My said the group initially considered the project a chance to practice their skills “and create unique artwork for each of [them].”

Rong Pham, another member of the group, finished the first work, a flower-laden bicycle, while others just “chose to illustrate their own favorite street carts.”

“We did not set any standards on what carts should be included in the project,” My told Tuoi Tre News. “We decided what to draw based on our strengths and interests.”

Having the project shared by thousands on Facebook was definitely the group’s expectations, My admitted.

“I just wanted to show everybody how my team has improved while showcasing the project on Facebook,” she said. “Never did I think it would be embraced so warmly and supported so enthusiastically.”

With the album shared to a Facebook page for expats based in Ho Chi Minh City, My said she is happy to see the group’s works known by foreigners.

“It is great to help spread a positive image of Viet Nam in such a friendly and cultural way,” she said.

The graphic design student said her team will continue working on other projects following this success.

“We don’t know if it will be similar to or different from our street cart project, but we will keep improving our skills and make it a success.”

Below are the remaining photos of the album:

(Source: Tuoi Tre News)