Childhood Illustration

Childhood illustration

This illustration is inspired by my childhood growing up in Vietnam in the 2000s, when 5,000 VND could buy happiness. The small grocery stores in front of school were filled with colorful snacks, candies, toys, and treats—simple things that became some of the most vivid memories of being a kid. After school, stopping by with friends and deciding what to buy with just a few thousand đồng always felt exciting.

Through bold colors, detailed linework, and familiar Vietnamese childhood objects, I recreated the joyful visual chaos of these little neighborhood stores. Each item represents a small piece of nostalgia, from childhood snacks and candies to traditional toys that many Vietnamese kids grew up with.

This artwork is a celebration of how something so ordinary can become meaningful over time — a reminder that happiness once felt as simple as 5,000 VND and a snack after school.