Choosing a theme

"Bui" literally means "dust," but in Vietnamese slang, it's often paired with other words to refer to humble, down-to-earth, and rustic things, particularly street foods. "Com bui" translates to "street food"; "Quan bui" refers to casual eateries or street-side vendors. "An bui" means eating out, not at home.

"The United States may have given birth to food trucks, but Vietnam is the ultimate paradise for street food. Nowhere else boasts such a diverse culinary culture," writes CNNGo.

With motorbikes as the primary mode of transportation and Saigon's streets resembling a labyrinth of intertwining alleyways, sidewalk eateries thrive in every nook and cranny, from deep within alleys to main thoroughfares. Given the fast-paced lifestyle of bustling metropolises and dense population in Saigon, street food becomes a daily staple for most locals, especially for breakfast.

Saigon's street food offerings are incredibly diverse in both ingredients and flavors, representing a fusion of culinary traditions from various regions across Vietnam. To attract diners, longstanding eateries often hold onto traditional family recipes that are unique to their establishments. Beyond merely sustenance, Vietnamese street food embodies the cultural identity and lifestyle of its people throughout history.

Create a List of Foods

I made a list of 12 iconic Vietnamese street foods I want to feature my calendar. Then Gather Reference Images. Collect reference images of each street food dish. These images will serve as inspiration for my illustrations and ensure accuracy in representing each dish.

1. January: Phở

2. Febuary: Bánh xèo

3. March: Phá lấu

4. April: Bánh mì

5. May: Bánh cuốn

6. June: Xôi mặn

7. July: Bánh bèo

8. August: Cơm tấm

9. September: Gỏi cuốn

10. October: Bắp xào

11. November: Bún đậu

12. December: Bắp nướng

Sketching

Refinement & Digitization

Layout Design & Typography

I design symbolic icons for special days, anniversaries, holidays, etc., throughout the year and categorize them by month. Each month, I select one significant anniversary or holiday to highlight. For example, March will feature International Women's Day, September will include National Day, and December will highlight Christmas. The color of the typography for each month will correspond to the theme color of the featured food.

Below are 2 template layouts for desk calendars and wall calendars.