Tran Thi Minh Ngoc, who lives in Ha Dong District, Hanoi, reminisces about the modest beginnings of her marriage. She and her husband started in a small house, cooking on a makeshift counter that was simply a stone slab atop bricks, using mostly free promotional kitchenware.

“Like many other couples renting a home, we figured we would invest in real kitchenware only once we owned a place. With our busy jobs, home-cooked meals often turned into quick fixes, and we settled into this makeshift routine for a long time.

After welcoming a baby, the stress of balancing motherhood and work hit hard. One day, I accidentally burned a pot of braised meat, and despite scrubbing it with steel wool, it remained ruined. I even cut my hand in the process and broke down in tears. It was a turning point for me.”

Life was far from the dream she envisioned—no perfect home, no lovely kitchen. “After getting married, our reality was nothing like what I had dreamed of,” she reflected.

That evening, her husband listened as they both revisited their aspirations, committing to make them happen together.

Over the next two years, they worked hard and eventually relocated to a new rental, but Ngoc decided she would no longer tolerate a temporary lifestyle. She began to focus on upgrading their kitchen.

“We replaced all our cooking items. Colorful cookware and beautiful floral dishes replaced the haphazard mix we once had. This change reignited my passion for cooking, making it enjoyable and fulfilling again.

Our kitchen transformed into a sanctuary. After work, my husband and I would cook together and tackle household tasks as a team.”

Ngoc’s vast collection of kitchenware sprouted from a single red pot set.

“Initially, I needed a reliable non-stick pot, so I purchased a set of three red ones that perfectly met our needs.

After three months of daily cooking, they remained in pristine condition and were as easy to clean as regular dishes. After use, I either hung them on the wall or placed them on the shelf, turning the red pot into a striking decorative piece.”

Things took a delightful turn when she won a blue frying pan in a contest. The joy it brought was so great that she decided to keep it on display rather than use it.

That moment sparked her love for collecting kitchenware. She dreamed of having pots and pans in every color from her favorite brand.

“By chance, I met the founder of the pot company I adored. After a friendly chat, I got involved in livestreaming product showcases for their brand, including those vibrant pots.”

This connection made her collecting journey easier and more affordable, allowing her to purchase one or two new items each month.

Her collection steadily expanded, organized by hue, with each pot priced between 400,000 and 800,000 VND, while some floral cast iron pots exceeded a million VND.

“Even though the collection looks extensive, it wasn’t overly pricey—probably equivalent to the cost of half a square meter of an apartment,” she joked.

Like all collectors, Ngoc experiences a thrill with each new addition. “It’s almost addicting—the joy I feel from owning these pieces is immense.

Even if I can’t use them all, and some still have their tags on, I have no regrets. It’s my passion that enriches my life,” she said.

“My husband thinks my collecting stems from the unpleasant memories of my past. Now, with these cheerful and functional pots, I’ve found healing through my collection,” Ngoc explained.

Since revamping her kitchen and living area, Ngoc feels her marriage has grown brighter and more vibrant just as she envisioned.

Her perspective on life has evolved too: “I’ve learned to let go of unnecessary stress and fully embrace each moment.

Even though we are still renting and without the burden of buying a home, I focus on what’s manageable right now. Living each day as we wish is, in itself, a beautiful achievement.”