Some words are left unsaid. Not for lack of love, only for lack of a gentle enough way to say them.
Dear is a long letter, folded small. Every page is drawn and written by hand in the Nôi studio in Saigon, folded into an accordion strip, then set between two river stones we choose and wash one by one. A single knot holds it all together. Untie the cord, lift the top stone, and the pages unfold: one short line and one ink drawing on each.
Nôi preserves the green of moss. Dear preserves the words left unsaid.
Materials: hand-drawn, handwritten accordion book · two natural river stones · cord · book about 2 × 3 cm closed
Every Dear book gives 20,000đ to the Nôi Sáng Tạo fund.
CHOOSE YOUR MESSAGE
01 · May this kind of love find you — a wish that someone you love finds the right kind of love: flowers for no reason, the orange peeled without asking. For a best friend, a sister, a new chapter.
02 · Love without using the word love — "Have you eaten yet?", "Sleep early", "Ride carefully", "Are you home yet?" The Vietnamese way of saying love, handwritten in Vietnamese with English translations. For parents, a partner, someone far from home.
03 · I don't say it enough, but thank you for the way you love me — a long-overdue thank you. For a partner, a spouse, a parent.
04 · To my dear friend — next page: "How did I get so lucky?" For the best friend who remembers every one of your stupid love stories, and whom you never thank enough. For your best friend.
05 · Where were you all my life? (To a friend who came a little later in life) — next page: "Seriously, rude." Funny, a little chaotic, very true. For friends made as adults.
06 · It's okay, baby girl, I got you — a hug, folded small. For someone tired, or yourself.
07 · Therapy is expensive and murder is wrong, so… — run until your thoughts get tired, take a nap. For a friend who needs a laugh on a hard day.
GIFT WRAP & PERSONAL MESSAGE (+70,000đ)
Premium beige linen wrapping with a card, plus a short message of your own, drawn and written by hand. Add it to your cart and write your message in the order note, or message us on Instagram, Facebook or Zalo (+84 938 054 023).
WHAT IS DEAR?
Dear is a tiny accordion book, about 2 × 3 cm, hand-drawn and handwritten, held between two natural river stones and tied with cord. It is an art gift line by Nôi Studio, a moss art studio in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
CAN YOU ACTUALLY READ IT?
Yes, with the naked eye. Each page holds one short line and a small drawing.
NATURAL VARIATIONS
Every book is drawn by hand and every pair of stones is natural, so lines, shapes and tones vary slightly. No two Dear books are exactly alike.
CARE
Keep it dry and out of harsh sun. After reading, fold the strip back along its creases, place the stone on top and retie the cord.
SHIPPING TIMES
Ho Chi Minh City: 1–2 days · Rest of Vietnam: 2–3 days · Singapore: 2–3 days · Europe: 5–7 days · United States: 7–10 days.
