The handbags Nguyen Thi Hong Tham makes and sells aren’t typical handbags – they each have their own history.

Tham, a 30-year-old former accountant, upcycles old denim and transforms them into wonderful bags for all occasions – a process she learned from the internet.

“Women love bags and so do I,” Tham said.

“I also have interest in recycling, so I decided to stop leave my [accounting] job and follow my heart.”

It took Tham eight months to learn how to upcycle old denim into bags, but now her products are a hit on the local market.

Before trying her hand with denim, Tham tried making bags using materials like brocade fabric, silk, and canvas.

It wasn’t until she stumbled across an old denim item in her closet that she decided to see if it would work for upcycling.

“Denim can be found in every household. Everybody has old denim items,” she said.

“That’s why I decided to start making bags out of denim.”

Many of Tham’s first bags were made from old jeans ‘donated’ by her friends and family.

Old denim items are seen at Tham’s shop in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

According to Tham, the thickness of denim makes it an easy material to upcycle, while its unique colors and patterns ensure that each bag is distinct. 

In each of her designs, Tham tried to make the most out of the old denim she works with. Each of products is handmade and one bag typically requires two pairs of jeans.

Bags at Tham’s shop range from 10 to 28 centimeters in size and fetch from VND300,000 – 1 million (US$13.13 to 43.78) depending on size and design.

She also offers discounts for those who bring their own discarded jeans to her shop for upcycling. 

Tham begins transforming an old denim pattern into a bag at her shop in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

The steps required to make a bag out of an old pair of jeans include collecting the old denim, washing it, classifying the material, cutting the fabric, and sewing the bags.

Upcycling helps solve concerns over what to do with old items, as well as increase the life cycle of products and reduces environmental waste, Tham said.

“I wish to run courses where I can share my experience for those who share the same passion as me.”

Bags made from upcycled denim are displayed in Tham’s shop in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

Tham begins transforming an old denim pattern into a bag at her shop in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

Tham sews a bag at her shop in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

Tham sews a bag at her shop in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

Nguyen Thi Hong Tham upcycles denim at her shop in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

Tham designs patterns for a bag before decorating it with embroidery at her shop in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

Tham embroiders a bag at her shop in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

A pocket pattern on a bag made from an old pair of jeans at Tham’s shop in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

An inside look at a bag made from upcycled denim at Tham’s shop in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

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Ngoc Phuong - Dong Nguyen/Tuoi Tre News