Transcript (en)

Can you believe this? In Vietnam, when workers make these beautiful concrete columns, the most valuable part isn't the cement. It's the low-cost idea behind it. First, they spread sand on the ground, then use curved half-round tools to shape the sand into the form of a column. The sand creates the shape. The concrete makes it permanent. Next, they brush on a release agent, spread cement mortar over the surface, and add steel rebar inside for support. While the cement is still soft, workers use tooth tools to slowly carve in the patterns, curves, and decorative lines. If one area sinks in, they add more cement. If a section looks uneven, they smooth it back out. Once the concrete hardens, the sand inside gets dumped out, and the half column shell comes off easily. Then two half columns are lined up and joined together with concrete poured into the center. After that, they attach the base and top pieces, paint everything white, and suddenly, it looks like an expensive decorative column. No costly molds, no giant one piece pour, and the sand can be reused again, which makes the whole method even cheaper. The smartest part is using cheap sand to fake the shape first, then locking it in forever with concrete.