<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1758183874348697&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Skip to main content
Blog: Bliv iværksætter og vælg den rette betalingsløsning

Oi Soi Oi: Vietnamese Craftsmanship Meets Nordic Design

Alt=
Post by Nanna

Interview: Oi Soi Oi.

Oi Soi Oi blends Danish simplicity with Asian artistry. The brand was founded by Britt Goodall and Christina Thorbøll, who share a deep passion for traditional crafts and have created a distinctive universe of elegant lamps and lacquer boxes.

 

Their shared fascination with Asian craftsmanship began during a meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam. Driven by a desire to bridge cultures and challenge stereotypes, they launched the interior design brand Oi Soi Oi.

Back in 2007, Britt was already living in Vietnam and had built a solid network of small workshops across various villages. Christina brought with her a background in sales and marketing, and together they laid the foundation for their business.

“From the beginning, we knew we didn’t want to build a big operation. We’re both the kind of people who believe running a business should be enjoyable. At the same time, we want full transparency in everything that goes on, and we make a real effort to know the people we work with. For example, we want to be closely familiar with all the small workshops where our products are made,” Christina Thorbøll, Oi Soi Oi.

A Love for Asian Craft Traditions

Over the past 17 years, Oi Soi Oi has maintained a deep appreciation for lacquerware — a centuries-old tradition in Asia, with a history stretching back more than a thousand years. In addition to lacquer products, they create lamps and other interior pieces made from silk, paper, bamboo, and other natural materials rooted in Vietnamese heritage — all sourced with care from local resources.

Inspired by ancient techniques, Britt and Christina infuse each product with a Nordic touch, marked by the simplicity and calm of Scandinavian design. Their goal is to merge these styles into a unique expression that is distinctly Oi Soi Oi.

Building Cultural Bridges Through Sustainable Collaboration

“We’ve brought our Danish work ethic into our business in Vietnam. For us, that means prioritizing good working conditions. The way we treat our partners matters deeply — we want to ensure they’re doing well. One of our guiding principles is decency, and we approach our relationships in Vietnam with the same values we would back home."

- Christina Thorbøll, Oi Soi Oi
 

 

At Oi Soi Oi, relationships are at the heart of everything they do. They understand the financial challenges that can exist in Vietnam, and they adapt accordingly. For instance, they always pay their suppliers immediately and make sure the prices negotiated are fair — just as they would in Denmark.

“When you share goals and ambitions with your partners, you create the foundation for strong, cross-cultural relationships. Running a business together — one that both sides depend on — can actually lead to something truly rewarding.” 

- Christina Thorbøll, Oi Soi Oi.

 

Simplicity and Innovation: Oi Soi Oi’s Vision for the Future

Oi Soi Oi’s dream is to continue building a healthy, enjoyable business — without chasing sky-high ambitions. Their long-term plan is simple: stay the course, nurture close relationships with suppliers, and grow organically. That said, they remain open to new opportunities and change.

One such opportunity came in 2023 when a Danish-American partner approached them with the offer to help Oi Soi Oi enter the U.S. market.

“I think what sets us apart, even though we’re 57 and 71 years old, is that we’re incredibly open-minded. Whatever comes our way, we welcome it with open arms. We’re not stuck in a ‘this-is-how-we’ve-always-done-it’ mindset.”

- Christina Thorbøll, Oi Soi Oi.

 

Trust, Collaboration – and Choosing pensopay

When developing their new website, Oi Soi Oi collaborated closely with their digital marketing agency, GrowBix. Based on their recommendation, Oi Soi Oi chose pensopay as their payment solution.

“This is an area where my own knowledge is limited, so naturally we rely on those who know what they’re doing. Our agency works with web development and digital marketing and had positive experiences with pensopay through other clients. Based on their recommendation, we chose pensopay when it came time to decide on a payment provider,” Christina Thorbøll, Oi Soi Oi.

“Whenever I’ve reached out to your customer service with something I didn’t understand, there’s always been help available. Shopify, for example, was completely new to us, and you’ve consistently been there to guide us through. Since switching to pensopay, it’s been nothing but a positive experience,” Christina Thorbøll, Oi Soi Oi.

Words of Wisdom: One Entrepreneur to Another

A strong business starts with a solid financial foundation. “Like many entrepreneurs, we started from scratch. And with my background in finance, I knew from day one that managing our finances properly would be key. It’s absolutely essential when you’re running a business. Of course, we’ve made our fair share of mistakes along the way — but we’ve always kept a close eye on the financial side of things,” Christina Thorbøll, Oi Soi Oi.

Besides keeping your finances in check, Christina believes selling your product is just as important — even if you’re not the natural ‘salesperson’ type. You either learn to sell yourself or find a partner who can.

Thank you for the inspiring conversation, Christina. We’re proud to count you and Oi Soi Oi among our partners.

Team pensopay

Read about more great entrepreneurial advice from our customers.

Why Choose Pensopay?

Accept payments on your webshop with an all-in-one solution: payment gateway and merchant agreement in one package.

Over 9,000 have already chosen us!

  • Free setup and no binding period!

  • Accept Visa, MasterCard, MobilePay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay in under 30 minutes.

  • Apply in minutes and start processing transactions today.

  • The best support in the payment industry: Response time under 3 minutes on the phone.

 

pensopay newsletter

Receive news on the payments industry, Danish entrepreneurship, and current marketing trends.