In late august, Dao, from Tu Son ward, shared the process of making a wooden pickup truck model in a 5-minute video. The video summarized the steps from ideation, drawing blueprints, constructing the frame, cutting wood, to final assembly. While the online videos are 5-20 minutes long, the 35-year-old father spends three to four months to complete one vehicle.

After graduating with a degree in business administration from the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology in 2015, Dao returned to his hometown to manage his family's traditional wood carving workshop. In late 2019, seeing his son's fascination with electric cars at a playground, he decided to build a wooden car himself.

Lacking mechanical expertise, he researched technical specifications and design blueprints online. In early 2020, the Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta, crafted from scented wood, was completed after three months. The car, featuring a wooden body, could accommodate two children and moved in a straight line with propulsion.

A video documenting the creation of this first car garnered 30 million views, motivating him to pursue professional model making. "I want to use my family's carpentry skills to create cars for my children", Dao stated.

Truong Van Dao builds a wooden amphibious supercar at his workshop in Tu Son ward, Bac Ninh. Photo: Provided by subject

Initially, the project incurred significant costs without generating revenue. High material expenses and extended completion times disrupted the workshop's fine art production. Despite financial pressure, he persevered with his family's support.

The turning point came when his personal YouTube channel became eligible for monetization. Revenue from the social media platform helped him cover material costs, sustain his passion, and pay his workers.

To ensure the models were operational, Dao further studied mechanics. The manufacturing process begins with selecting a model, gathering specifications, and designing the chassis and drivetrain.

The 35-year-old man constructs the steel chassis, installs wheel axles, the steering system, disc brakes, and the electric motor. The artistic shaping involves building a wooden frame and curving the outer shell to match the real car's contours. Ebony and scented wood are the primary materials, sawn and dried for 15 days beforehand. The final stage includes technical inspection and test drives.

The manufacturing process demands high precision. For example, the Lamborghini Revuelto model required one million glued wood pieces and repurposed pistons. The metal frame needed careful calculation to support the body's weight. Used automotive parts like tires, turn signals, and engines are sourced according to standards; other electronic components are custom-made or ordered online.

Since 2025, Dao has expanded into creating car models suggested by artificial intelligence (AI), notably the ICar and a gear car. According to the creator, AI-designed cars present challenges during completion due to the absence of a real-world original, necessitating continuous testing by the team to ensure the vehicle adheres to the blueprint and operates smoothly.

The wooden supercar, inspired by NVIDIA, features butterfly doors.

The Rolls-Royce replica with six wheels, made of wood.

The VF7 electric car model built by Dao.

The wooden Bugatti supercar.

Some supercar models Dao built for his children.

Elon Musk's Cybertruck pickup, crafted from wood by Dao.

The wooden "BMW Dragon" built by Dao.

In addition to cars, Dao also built a wooden train for his children.

The wooden gear car with many gears, built by Dao based on artificial intelligence (AI) suggestions.

The Apple Car model, inspired by famous automotive brands.

The wooden interior inside the supercar.

Dao builds a wooden tank.

Besides building cars, Dao also tried making some two and three-wheeled vehicle models.

The wooden car model replicating the Lamborghini V12 Vision Gran Turismo.

After six years, his collection comprises over 30 creations, including cars, motorbikes, electric trains, armored vehicles, and tanks. Notable models include a six-wheel Rolls-Royce, Apple Car, Mercedes G63, and Audi Skysphere. Each product measures 4-4,3 m in length, weighs one to two tons, and costs approximately 400 million VND to produce. All models are for display only and are not for sale.

Targeting a global audience, Dao's videos feature no dialogue and fast-forward through the crafting process. He maintains a release schedule of one video every three months. To date, his channel has over 3,5 million subscribers and a total of 50 billion views across platforms, attracting international media attention.

The fleet of wooden supercars Dao built for his children to play with since 2020. Photo: Provided by subject

In 12/2023, after completing the Audi Skysphere Concept model, Audi invited Dao to its headquarters in Germany. He met the original designer and test-drove the actual car.

"The trip to Germany provided me with new skills and motivation to create higher quality products for my children", Dao said.

He also accepts invitations to international exhibitions and exports cars on a non-commercial basis, aiming to promote Vietnamese carpentry skills.

Dao builds a wooden Lamborghini Vision GT for his son in 100 days. Source: Truong Van Dao

The growing number of vehicles has made the family workshop cramped, limiting the experience space for model enthusiasts. At times, Dao has had to turn away visitors because there was no longer a clear path to the car garage.

Dao plans to build a dedicated exhibition area where visitors can admire and test-drive the models. In the long term, he intends to seek a license to establish a carpentry experience tourism site in Huong Mac craft village. Visitors will explore a car museum, practice woodworking in a dust-free environment, learn about local culture, and create additional livelihoods for residents.

"My goal is not just to build many car models but to introduce and promote traditional wood craftsmanship to the community", Dao stated.

Quynh Nguyen