KOTO expands after Hanoi opens borders

One of the highlights of time spent back in Hanoi, was sitting down with Jimmy Pham, founder of KOTO, Vietnam's first social enterprise.

A lot has been written about the impact of the COVID pandemic on the global tourism and aviation industries. That impact has been amplified in developing countries like Vietnam and Cambodia. Less attention has been given to the experience of the many social enterprises in developing countries anchored in the tourism industry.

The first of these tourism-focused social enterprises in Vietnam was KOTO, founded by Jimmy Pham in Hanoi in 1999.

During my recent visit to Hanoi, I headed out to the West Lake area to hear how Jimmy and KOTO had survived the challenges of the two COVID years and closed borders. It was great meeting Jimmy again at the recently opened KOTO Villa. Ever the optimist, after two challenging years, he was looking forward to better times.

Check out the video.

Jimmy Pham talks about coming through the crisis for social entrerprises

A Vietnamese Australian, Jimmy Pham left the tourism industry to found KOTO (Know One Teach One) after seeing the plight of homeless young people on the streets of Hanoi and Saigon. His concept was to provide them with international standard hospitality training, education, housing and care and then help them find careers.

KOTO has enjoyed immense success and is recognised as one of the truly effective life-changing social enterprises in Vietnam. KOTO graduates hold positions in leading hospitality businesses across Vietnam.

Jimmy Pham’s good humoured teaching - KOTO Villa Hanoi

Despite extraordinary challenges, Jimmy told me KOTO has emerged in 2022, stronger than ever. During the pandemic, the training programme continued while the original KOTO restaurant closed. A new restaurant opened in Hanoi's West Lake area, reducing the dependence on tourism. The West Lake eatery is called KOTO Villa and it attracts clientele from the expat community and locals. More recently KOTO has reopened in the centre of Hanoi’s tourism precinct, right by the Temple of Literature - near the location of the original KOTO eatery.

Breakfast at KOTO Villa Hanoi

The video features Jimmy and Hao, a young ethnic Tay KOTO graduate.

Hao is a remarkable representative of the work of KOTO. Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic minority groups - people of distinct language and culture. These ethnic minorities face discrimination and economic disadvantage.

Hao is from the Tay ethnic minority. She was born and raised in difficult conditions near Lang Son, on Vietnam's northern border with China.

In addition to a permanent job at Hanoi's JW Marriott Hotel, Hao is studying for a bachelor of business at the Hanoi campus of Australia's RMIT University. It's an impressive story.

For more on KOTO, check their website at www.koto.com.au