Khánh Ngọc & Đức Bùi: Wishing Their Child to Feel the Warmth of Home

Each home usually has one kitchen, yet the house of Khánh Ngọc and Đức Bùi is special because it has three. Their home is not only the nest of a young couple but also the studio of FPDB Creative, where they tell culinary stories through images. Their already colorful life has become even more vibrant with the arrival of their little boy, Bing Su.

Not needing to be excellent, but at least average

Khánh Ngọc shared that she spent an entire year thinking before deciding that the two of them would work together. Today, she manages FPDB Creative’s team so that Đức Bùi can focus on the creative work. The couple agreed early on that they must separate personal emotions from work, and work-related stress should not affect their relationship. Of course, this is never easy, and each stage of life brings its own lessons. Their philosophy is that with every lesson, you do not need to excel, but you should at least reach an average score.

The kitchen we visited sits on the ground floor, designed simply and charmingly in a lemon-yellow palette. When we arrived, Khánh Ngọc was busy soothing Bing Su while Đức Bùi prepared the ingredients for cooking. The FPDB Creative team members remained focused on their tasks.

Khánh Ngọc said, “When I lived with my parents, the kitchen belonged to my mom, so I rarely cooked. After I married Đức, I have been able to cook whatever I love every day, and on busy days we eat out. As long as I feel fine with the meal, he will not interfere. At home, each of us has our own private space, but in shared spaces we arrange everything together.”

The rhythm of home

Ngọc remembers her childhood when her family always ate meals on time. As the years passed, convenience gradually changed these habits. Her mother now cooks less because ready-made food is both tasty and practical, and the family eats together less often. When Ngọc moved in with Đức, they both wanted every meal to include all members of the family. They wanted to eat and talk together, creating healthy habits for their son. If they want their little boy to feel the warmth of family, they must cultivate that warmth themselves.

While Đức Bùi prepared beefsteak, Khánh Ngọc made a fruit salad to go with it. Talking about her husband’s cooking skills, Ngọc laughed and said, “Beefsteak is the only dish Đức can make because it is easy and delicious. It is his go-to dish every time he cooks.” Hearing that, Đức Bùi chuckled and shook his head, as if to say that was far from the truth. Watching his quick and confident movements in the kitchen, it was clear he was genuinely skilled. Perhaps Khánh Ngọc was simply being modest about her husband.

Love and the art of puppetry

They shared that they recently watched a wonderful puppet show and realized that marriage is quite similar to this art form. To bring a puppet to life requires the coordination of several people, each handling one part, yet all must work together seamlessly. It is difficult, but not impossible.

The couple’s differences come from their backgrounds. Đức Bùi grew up and built his career in Hanoi before moving to Saigon. He is independent and used to making decisions on his own, rarely sharing them with others. Ngọc, on the other hand, was raised in a more “democratic” environment, familiar with discussing and seeking opinions before choosing the best solution. Sometimes these differences prevent them from moving in sync, causing their “puppet” to slip out of rhythm. Still, they always try to fulfill their roles in each phase of life. Despite the challenges, they feel deeply grateful and happy to have a partner who learns and grows alongside them.