Interview with a Vietnamese modelling company

I often look at the Vietnam related model range, where new companies and products come to my attention. B&L Models has been on my radar for over a year, and like Bravo-6 or Paracel, they are full of interesting kits that you cannot find anywhere else. I got in touch with the founder, Nguyen Quoc Bao. His story is an excellent example of how circumstances can lead to an idea and a viable business. 

Bao and his "Boss", i.e. wife Linh – and the little ones

Dear Bao, please tell me, how it all began, and when? What motivated you to start a business in this field? What difficulties did you face in the early stages?

It all started in March 2020. When the COVID-19 pandemic swept through Vietnam, the hospitality industry where I was working—along with other service sectors—was among the first to take a hit, resulting in massive layoffs. At the time, I was far from family. I was in Da Nang, 900 kilometers away from my hometown of Saigon, and as you know, everywhere was under lockdown.

With my salary cut off, I had to work illegally as a food delivery driver, just shuttling food between quarantine zones and dodging the authorities on my Airblade scooter. Realizing the income wasn't enough and the future looked bleak, I stared at a quiet pile of model boxes in the corner. I thought to myself: why not try 3D printing accessory figures for vehicles and dioramas? So, I started figuring out 3D modeling by downloading files online to study, and I got ZBrush and Blender to explore. The main challenge in the early days was brainstorming ideas and researching old photographs to get the most accurate poses—ones that would appeal to the market and perfectly complement the model kits.

How many people are currently working with you?

Currently, I have a team of four people working with me, handling everything from design to production and packing for shipment.

Joe Le's taxi from Saigon

Most of your products focus on the Vietnam War era, with an incredibly diverse catalog ranging from military to civilian, including figures, vehicles, and accessories. This includes very rare subjects like the PCF Swift Boat, US Army nurses, and Vietnamese street vendors. How did you choose these subjects?

I was born and raised in Saigon, so I have a special connection to South Vietnam. I realized: since I'm making subjects about the place where I grew up, why aren't there more subjects depicting the people of South Vietnam and its combat forces? I mainly focus on non-combat subjects. Of course, my choice of subject is a bit sensitive—people might wonder why a Vietnamese person doesn't make models of the Viet Cong or the North Vietnamese Army. The main reason is simply market demand. I actually tried making NVA and VC figures, but nobody bought them, so I stopped! (laughs)

PCF Swift Boat in 1:35. You cannot find this one anywhere else...

We can see some older and modern Vietnamese vehicles in your catalogue. Once again, a seriously neglected subject among scale models. I guess this might be interesting to Vietnamese and foreign modellers, as well.

I chose to develop this range because I have been following the growth of Vietnam’s defence industry with great interest, from STV service rifles gradually replacing AK-pattern weapons to locally developed or modernised vehicles such as the XCB-01, XTC-03 and T-54M. To me, this offers a wealth of subjects that have yet to receive the attention they deserve in the scale modelling world. I believe these subjects appeal to both Vietnamese and international modellers. For Vietnamese enthusiasts, they offer an opportunity to include vehicles that reflect their country’s military development in their collections. For international modellers, they open the door to lesser-known designs and variants. B&L Models will continue to introduce further releases in this range to the worldwide modelling community. Our aim is to bring something fresh to the hobby: distinctive, unusual subjects that deserve a place in any military vehicle enthusiast’s collection.

Vietnamese vehicles and arms – old and new

What is the development process for a new kit? With the 3D design technology you are using, how long does it usually take you to design and complete a product?

The process usually takes about 1 to 2 months. The design phase takes the longest. Usually, it takes 1 week for conceptualization, 1.5 months for 3D modeling, and about 1 week for production and troubleshooting.

Parts of the 1:35 Monitor...

What kind of feedback have you received from customers, fellow modelers, and reviewers?

Customers are happy with the products, though there are some complaints about long shipping times and customs procedures.

...and the complete kit and the box art

Which products are you most proud of and why? Which ones are the most popular with customers?

I am most proud of the products that depict the daily life of South Vietnamese people. They deeply capture the authentic everyday life in the South during the war, which gives international friends a broader and deeper perspective.

Civilian subjects from South Vietnam

What products are you considering developing in the near future?

I am currently developing more figures of US troops and Allied forces. Non-combat poses will remain the main focus, and I will be adding the 1/16 scale to the lineup.

US Army nurses at rest

Do you still have time to build and finish models for yourself? What is your favorite modeling subject?

I still set aside time to build models for myself, which includes building our own sample products like the Monitor, Tango, and PCF. Building kits from other brands also helps give me new ideas.

Update sets for gun trucks

Where can we find your website? Do you have official distributors in Europe and the US yet?

The B&L Models website is www.blmodels.com. When you place an order, we receive an email notification, and we will reply with the final details, including the shipping cost. I am still looking for official distributors in Europe and the US. I do have one very good distributor in Japan, though.

A look at the website

Will people have a chance to meet you at events outside of Asia? Do you plan to visit the US or Europe?

I really hope to have the opportunity to travel to Europe to attend exhibitions and promote my products. The only issue right now is that my budget doesn't allow for it. Otherwise, getting a Visa and completing the paperwork are very simple. If I can sell enough products, I'll have the funds for the trip immediately!

Dear Bao, thank you for the interview. I do hope we will see each other here or there.