The Hanoi restaurant where empowerment takes center stage

With over 7.5 million visitors in the first quarter of 2019 alone, Hanoi ranks as one of Southeast Asia’s top tourist hotspots.

The hospitality industry plays a key role in the economy, and one business is working to uncover hidden talent that can help elevate both the industry and Vietnam itself.

For many, Hanoi’s pioneering social enterprise is simply known as KOTO.

KOTO, which stands for “Know One, Teach One,” was founded in 1999 by Jimmy Pham, a Vietnamese-Australian tour guide at the time.

KOTO offers a two-year vocational training program for disadvantaged youth in Vietnam, ages 16 to 22, equipping them with the skills to pursue careers in hospitality, from working in restaurants and hotels to cafes and catering.

As part of their training, KOTO operates restaurants in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, alongside a dedicated training school in Hanoi. Trainees receive lessons in cooking, bartending, customer service, and English, applying their skills by working at these restaurants.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, KOTO has welcomed over one million guests, including notable figures such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Denmark's Queen Margrethe II.

'I have grown up'

We met Uyen, a 20-year-old trainee, at KOTO's main restaurant in Hanoi.

Hailing from southern Vietnam, Uyen had dropped out of university to care for her ill mother and started looking for work to support her family. A friend had suggested KOTO, but she was skeptical, thinking it sounded too good to be true.

'The first time, neither I nor my family believed in KOTO,' she tells Dinogo Travel. 'How could a place offer everything for free – provide money, activities, and only good things for you?'

But after seeing how happy her friend was working at KOTO for six months, Uyen decided to join the program herself.

Now in her second year at KOTO, Uyen says her life has completely changed for the better.

'I feel like I’m living my dream now,' Uyen shares. 'KOTO doesn’t just teach you a job, it teaches you how to be a good person.'

Uyen explains that KOTO has not only helped her gain new professional skills, but also guided her in learning how to be a responsible member of society.

'KOTO teaches me through lessons and by providing a supportive environment. I have to interact and work with many people, learning how to collaborate, study, and grow together,' she says.

Uyen has big aspirations for the future and dreams of becoming a bartender one day.

Her family is incredibly proud of her progress. She shares with Dinogo, 'They’re very happy for me now. They often say, 'Wow, look at you, you’ve really grown.''

Achieving success

Thao Nguyen, now the general manager of KOTO, has a long history with the organization. She was part of the very first graduating class of KOTO’s vocational program.

Nguyen dropped out of school at 13 to support her family. For two years, she spent her summers selling iced tea by Hoàn Kiếm Lake and switched to selling postcards during the colder months.

'While I was selling postcards to tourists, I met an Australian woman,' recalls Nguyen. 'She asked me what I wanted for my future and where I saw myself. Honestly, I had no answer that day.'

The Australian woman, who was a diplomat, introduced Nguyen to a program called KOTO, and as Nguyen says, 'It completely changed my life.'

'I would say that the best time of my life was when I was a KOTO trainee. It was the first time I truly felt a sense of belonging, and it gave me unforgettable experiences that I’ll carry with me forever,'

After completing her training at KOTO, Nguyen launched a successful career in hospitality, later returning to the social enterprise in 2017.

'KOTO is like my second family, and I’m incredibly happy to be back with them now,' she shares.

Like Nguyen, many KOTO graduates have found success. The social enterprise proudly states that all its graduates have secured employment, with many working at prestigious hotels and restaurants around Vietnam and the world, while others have gone on to start their own businesses.

Know one, teach for life

Nguyen acknowledges the difficulties of running a business while staying true to its social mission.

Currently, KOTO supports the well-being of its 150 trainees, providing for their healthcare, housing, and training. In addition, the organization employs approximately 100 staff and volunteers.

Despite these challenges, Nguyen is steadfast in her belief that KOTO’s mission remains clear – to cultivate a culture of giving and paying it forward among the trainees and those they encounter.

“KOTO’s philosophy is simple: If you know something, pass it on. We teach our trainees how to fish, and we hope that in the future, once they’ve succeeded, they’ll teach others to do the same,” Nguyen shares with Dinogo.

“Giving back isn’t just about offering a meal or a handout. True giving means equipping someone with a skill that will help them sustain themselves for a lifetime,” Nguyen explains.