Despite many failures, men in Da Nang are still strongly determined to work hard for their dreams. The miniature of a tropical garden or a small majestic cave in terrarium really helps them heal their souls every day and recharge their positive energy to create more impressive and meaningful works.

Mr. Nguyen Mai Ha is bringing moss grown from outside into the terrarium. Photo: T.V

Bringing nature into terraria 

More than two years ago, by chance encountering pictures of terraria, that are usually sealable glass containers containing soil and plants that can be opened for maintenance to access the plants inside, on social networks, Mr. Nguyen Mai Ha, 30, a dweller in Lien Chieu District, Da Nang  was intrigued by the pure beauty of these terraria.

At that time, he questioned why plants grow well in such closed spaces and was determined to find out the answer on the internet of enthusiasts about the "game" of terraria. Ha confidently said that he may be a latecomer in Viet Nam, but he was the first to bring terrarium to young people in Da Nang, and the Central Viet Nam and Central Highlands regions as a whole. Mr. Ha always wants everyone to get to know this useful hobby.

“I am passionate about outdoor activities, especially camping or walking in the forest. Thanks to that, I always have plenty of inspiration from nature to come up with layout ideas for a terrarium. At first, failure was inevitable because I didn't have enough experience. Therefore, when I started working, I spent an amount of time researching and learning every step of the way such as coming up design ideas and selecting decoration materials. Fortunately, later on, things got better. Making a terrarium requires players to love and open their hearts to nature, which is a mandatory requirement, without that, it is impossible to arrange soulful miniatures. Every day when I am engaged in making terraria, I feel that I nourish my soul full of positive things”, said Ha.

After more than 2 years with terraria, he launched Decor & More store at 09B Nam Cao, Lien Chieu District providing design services and terrarium accessories throughout the country. So far, more than 250 terrariums have been designed and the price of a finished terrarium (including lights) ranges from a few hundred thousand to several millions ofVND, depending on the type of lamp, size, simple or complex layout.

Besides, he spreads the love for terraria through the operation of ‘Terrarium Da Nang’ and ‘Terrarium Viet Nam’ fanpages with more than 10,000 members from all over the country.

According to Ha, making a terrarium needs a wide range of materials such as driftwood, rocks, figurines, stream gravel, moss and small plants. These materials must be carefully selected and tested their responsiveness levels. To reach customers, it usually takes 2 to 3 days or longer for him to set up a terrarium.

To maintain a terrarium with a long life, the temperature in the tank should range from 24 - 28 degrees Celsius and humidity is kept at about 80 - 95%. Terraria are divided into two types: growing plants in closed glass containers and in open ones. For the later, watering and caring the plants inside like normal bonsai.

As for the closed terrarium with a closed water cycle, it is easier to care for; every 4 to 5 months, the user just needs to open the lid and spray the mist. That is why plants in closed terraria are still able to nourish, grow and develop themselves. Meanwhile, closed ones are only suitable for humid tropical ecosystems that require little light such as mosses, ferns or aquatic ecosystems.

Terraria vary in size from 1 to 2m and some are as small as the palm of the hand. Different from normal plants that just need light, water, soil, terrarium challenges players because it is easily damaged with the penetration of mold if the soil has disease-causing bacteria. Therefore, this hobby requires players to be patient, meticulous as well as diligent.

As for Pham Vu Cuong, also 30, the founder of Terrarium tropical garden at 24 Che Lan Vien in Ngu Hanh Son District, terrarium has long been considered an art, not just a conventional planting methods. Terrarium not only creates a green space for living space, but it offer an opportunity for the user to actively observe the natural development of the plant such as photosynthesis, respiration, water circulation, sprouting or shedding leaves.

“The green colour from the terrarium always gives me a sense of peace, helps to practice concentration and calmness. Pursuing this hobby for 2 years, I have new experiences with nature and raise the awareness of environmental protection”, said Cuong.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Toan next to the work ‘Storing’ that won the IAPLC 2021 runner-up prize. (Photo courtesy of Toan)

Ocean miniatures

On the weekend morning, the IKO Aquarium store on Huy Can Street, Hai Chau District is usually crowded with visitors. Some people come here to buy goods while others want to admire beautiful plants and fish to satisfy their passions for nature.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Toan, 30, the shop’s owner, the two-time runner-up of the International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest (IAPLC) said: “I was an engineer and at that time I was quite stressful with difficulties in life and at work. That’s reason why I wanted to find an entertainment activity. In 2015,I  saw a photo of an aquarium on social media and the natural scenery in the aquarium made a strong impression on me. The stones and driftwood branches are arranged to form caves and majestic mountains, all of which were fascinated, so I decided to learn about aquariums”.

To complete an aquarium work, Toan said, many important stages have to go through. For example, to make the work ‘Let's go home’, which entered the top 100 of IAPLC 2019, it took him nearly 6 months to prepare glass containers, specialised lights, filtration systems, CO2 systems. Then, from the idea, he found the right materials to develop the idea into a rough layout, and next, he started raising aquatic plants and animals of all kinds.

After another 5 months, the work took the most natural shape. “After 6 years of pursuing aquatic art, I have accumulated a lot of experience and am happy to have won two runner-up prizes of the IAPLC 2018 & 2021 and secured a berth in the top 100 of IAPLC 2019”, Toan happily boasted.

“Through my works brought to the international arena, I want friends near and far to know that Viet Nam is a country with majestic natural beauty as well as always suffering from natural disasters, but the spirit of the Vietnamese people always stands firm under all circumstances. Through aquarium, I learned the sense of protecting nature, practicing perseverance or patience in work as well as in life. And most of all, aquarium helps me bring great spiritual food to my family. After stressful working hours, watching the whole family gather around the tray of meal next to the aquarium I made, that's the best thing for me”, emotionally said Toan

IKO Aquarium currently has a variety of aquarium products and provides construction and maintenance services, professional aquarium care, semi-terrain and miniatures. The cost to make an aquarium ranges from a few hundred thousand to hundreds of millions of VND depending on size and brand of hardware (glasses, lights, filter system and CO2). Aquarium is a creative hobby, so depending on conditions and preferences, in a few months, players can completely redecorate the aquarium in a new style.

Reporting by HUYNH TUONG VY - Translating by A.THU