How did a tiny 10-square-meter workshop in Vietnam become the home of one of the world's most recognized original Book Nook brands?

That was the question explored in a recent interview between Book Nook Workshop and Ngo Quoc Hoang, Founder & CEO of VIENDOR.

The conversation wasn't about marketing or product launches.

Instead, it told the story behind the people, the challenges, and the philosophy that shaped VIENDOR into the company it is today.

Every Great Story Starts Small

Today, many hobbyists know VIENDOR for its original Book Nook collections, detailed architectural miniatures, and immersive storytelling.

But the company didn't begin with a modern factory or outside investment.

It began in a workshop measuring only 10 square meters (108 sq ft).

According to the interview, there were only:

• Two people
• Two computers
• One laser cutter
• A simple goal: survive long enough to build something meaningful.

Looking back, it's difficult to imagine that such humble beginnings would eventually lead to products reaching customers in more than 20 countries.

Learning Before Growing

One of the most interesting parts of the interview isn't about success.

It's about failure.

In the early days, finding suitable plywood for precision laser cutting proved incredibly difficult. Most locally available materials were designed for construction rather than miniature products, leading to excessive burn marks, carbon residue, and inconsistent quality.

The solution wasn't glamorous.

Every week, Hoang reportedly rode his motorbike nearly 17 kilometers just to purchase ten sheets of plywood—enough to manufacture roughly a dozen kits. Those kits often sold out before the following week.

Those early challenges helped shape VIENDOR's obsession with continuous improvement, engineering, and manufacturing quality.

From Manufacturing to Original Design

Many companies enter the hobby market by sourcing existing products.

VIENDOR chose a different path.

Original book nook kit design became the foundation of the business.

Every project starts with research.

Designers study architecture, travel destinations, history, local culture, and storytelling before engineering a product that feels authentic while remaining enjoyable to assemble.

The interview highlights a philosophy Hoang describes as:

"A good design is an invisible design."

The goal isn't simply to create beautiful models.

It's to create products that feel intuitive—where builders naturally understand how parts belong together because the design itself tells the story.

Why Original Design Matters

The interview also reveals an important lesson from VIENDOR's early years.

Some of the company's earliest products were inspired by existing entertainment franchises.

After receiving attention from the intellectual property owner, the experience fundamentally changed the company's direction.

Rather than building around licensed inspiration, VIENDOR committed itself to creating original designs.

Today, originality isn't just part of the creative process—it's one of the company's core values.

That philosophy continues to guide every new Book Nook collection we release.

Becoming a Global Wooden Kit Manufacturer

While many customers know VIENDOR as a consumer brand, fewer realize the company also operates as a wooden kit manufacturer, collaborating with commercial partners on product development and manufacturing.

From concept sketches and mechanical engineering to prototyping and production, every project follows the same goal:

Build products people genuinely enjoy assembling.

This combination of original design and manufacturing expertise has allowed VIENDOR to evolve from a small workshop into an internationally recognized creative manufacturing company.

The Story Behind the Name "VIENDOR"

During the interview, Hoang also explained the meaning behind the company's new identity.

The name combines:

• VI — representing Vietnam
• Vendor — representing a trusted global manufacturing partner

Together, they reflect a simple vision:

A Vietnamese creative brand with global ambitions.

The rebranding also represents a broader future beyond Book Nooks alone, allowing the company to expand into new categories of DIY kits, educational products, collectibles, and creative wooden experiences.

More Than Products—A Design Philosophy

One section of the interview particularly stood out to us.

When asked what makes a VIENDOR product different, Hoang summarized the company's design philosophy into three simple ideas:

• Story First
• Intuitive Building
• Logical Assembly

Every product should immediately communicate its story.

Every part should feel like it naturally belongs where it's placed.

Every build should feel satisfying rather than frustrating.

That philosophy continues to influence every new Book Nook, DIY miniature, and future product released under the VIENDOR brand.

Read the Full Interview

This article only highlights a small portion of the conversation.

The original interview also explores:

• How VIENDOR accidentally discovered the global Book Nook market
• The inspiration behind iconic products like Ginzan Onsen
• The company's evolving design philosophy
• The story behind the VIENDOR mascot
• Why the founder still personally reads customer emails

If you'd like to learn more about the people behind our products, we highly recommend reading the complete interview published by Book Nook Workshop.

Read the full interview here:

Behind the Brands #1: The Story of VIENDOR – Book Nook Workshop

Looking Ahead

Our journey from a 10 m² workshop to an international creative brand wasn't built overnight.

It was built one prototype at a time.

One customer at a time.

One lesson at a time.

Today, VIENDOR continues to design original Book Nook collections, develop innovative book nook kit design concepts, and grow as a trusted wooden kit manufacturer serving hobbyists and business partners around the world.

The workshop may be bigger now.

But the curiosity, creativity, and passion that started everything remain exactly the same.