Stories of people turning a skill into a livelihood often feel inspiring because they show what patience and consistency can achieve.But some rare stories are so exceptional that they barely feel possible. One such story is about a Vietnamese nail technician, settled in Dubai, who earns lakhs from her work, so much so that she even plans to retire after several years of hard work.
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Meet Nguyen Phuong Anh aka ‘Fullah’
According to The National, a UAE news platform, Vietnamese entrepreneur Nguyen Phuong Anh, known professionally as Fullah, has turned nail art into a profitable business in Dubai and plans to build a path toward early retirement.Her journey shows how a creative skill, when combined with discipline and smart planning, can become a serious source of income. She earned between Dh30,000 and Dh40,000 a month, roughly Rs 7 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, before opening her own salon.
Fullah’s work in nail art started long before Dubai
She began in Vietnam more than 12 years ago and developed a strong specialty in detailed 3D nail designs, including flowers, animals, and charms. After moving to Dubai six years ago, she worked under a two-year contract at a small salon for Dh3,500 per month. That beginning was modest, but it gave her a base to grow from.Her income changed after the contract ended, and she chose to become a freelancer, working without days off, which helped her build a huge client base and raised her monthly earnings steeply.Her clients were mostly younger customers, and over time she became popular for intricate nail work at accessible prices, which seems to have helped her stand out in a competitive market.
Now, she has her own salon in Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai
In June 2026, she opened Beauty by Fullah in Jumeirah Village Circle. According to The National, she has not taken a salary since opening the salon because she is putting all earnings back into the business. She expects to begin paying herself again in about three months. Her goal is not only to restore her previous income, but also to hire more people and expand the salon into multiple branches.
Fullah’s financial habits are just as interesting as her income
She keeps her monthly costs low, with around Dh1,000 for food and Dh5,000 for rent and petrol. She previously shared a studio room with a friend before moving into her own small studio. She also sends Dh5,000 back to Vietnam for investment and owns two houses there, using her income to build assets rather than spend freely.
She wants to retire in about 20 years, in her early 50s.
After building passive income through business expansion and property investment. She told The National, “I want to invest more and open more branches – maybe five, not just in Dubai but in other emirates like Abu Dhabi or Fujairah,” and added, “In 20 years, I want to be retired. My plan is to buy more houses in Vietnam and maybe a farm. In 20 years, I’ll just be on the farm with all the animals, growing vegetables. I like nature.”
