More Than a Meal: How KOTO Vietnam is Changing Lives and Elevating Travel Experiences

KOTO Vietnam – Where Dining Meets Social Impact

What if a simple meal could help rewrite someone’s future? At Footprint, we believe that travel has the power to create meaningful change, not just for those who explore, but for the communities they encounter.

That’s why we proudly partner with KOTO Vietnam, Vietnam’s first social enterprise, which has been transforming the lives of at-risk and disadvantaged youth through hospitality training and life skills since 1999. For our B2B partners, international tour operators and travel agents seeking deeper, more responsible travel experiences, KOTO Vietnam offers more than just a place to dine. It offers a powerful story of resilience, empowerment, and purpose.

Through this partnership, your travelers don’t just witness Vietnam’s culture, they actively support the people shaping its future.

The Mission: Empowering Disadvantaged Youth Through Hospitality Training

Founded in 1999 by Vietnamese-Australian Jimmy Pham, KOTO—short for “Know One, Teach One”—was born from a simple yet powerful idea: that every young person deserves the chance to build a better life.

As Vietnam’s first social enterprise, KOTO pioneered a model that blends hospitality training with life-changing social support. Through its two-year program, KOTO provides at-risk and disadvantaged youth with internationally recognized vocational education, while also covering housing, meals, healthcare, and life skills development.

Trainees learn and grow in professional environments like the beautifully designed KOTO Van Mieu restaurant and its rooftop bar, where they gain real-world experience by serving guests in warm, welcoming spaces. These spaces not only offer high-quality Vietnamese cuisine but also reflect the heart of KOTO’s mission: empowering youth through hands-on learning in elegant, real-life settings.

This holistic approach doesn’t just train future chefs, servers, and hospitality professionals. It empowers confident, capable individuals ready to thrive in the industry and contribute meaningfully to society. KOTO shows how a business can be more than just profit. It can spark hope and opportunity where it’s needed most.

How KOTO Vietnam Transforms Lives: The Two-Year Journey

KOTO’s training program is more than a pathway to employment. It’s a complete transformation of a young person’s life. Over two years, trainees receive internationally recognized hospitality training through a partnership with Box Hill Institute (Australia), preparing them for careers in restaurants, hotels, and tourism businesses across Vietnam and beyond.

But what truly sets KOTO apart is its holistic support system. Trainees are provided with safe accommodation, daily meals, healthcare, uniforms, and emotional support all at no cost. They also gain essential life skills: English language, financial literacy, communication, self-confidence, and gender awareness.

Many come from extremely difficult backgrounds, but through this nurturing environment, they emerge not just with job skills but with hope, direction, and dignity. By the end of the program, they are ready to step into the world with confidence and many do, becoming leaders in Vietnam’s growing hospitality industry.

Responsible Tourism: Dining With Purpose in Vietnam

For Footprint’s B2B partners, international tour operators, travel agents, and responsible travel designers, KOTO Vietnam offers far more than a dining option. It’s a chance to add real purpose to your itineraries.

Including a visit to KOTO Van Mieu, just steps away from the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, or one of their immersive cooking classes allows your travelers to connect with Vietnam in a deeper, more meaningful way. It turns a meal into a moment of impact—where guests learn the story behind the food, meet the trainees shaping their futures, and support a powerful cause simply by showing up.

In a competitive travel landscape where authenticity and social responsibility are increasingly valued, partnering with Footprint to integrate KOTO into your journeys sets your programs apart while directly contributing to a brighter future for Vietnam’s youth.

>>> To learn more about what KOTO Van Mieu offers, from group dining to private events and immersive culinary experiences, visit their services page here.

Success Stories of KOTO Vietnam Graduates

Behind every dish served at KOTO is a story of resilience and hope. Each trainee comes from a background of hardship—some were living on the streets, others grew up in unstable homes—but all are given a chance to rebuild their lives through KOTO’s program.

Thao’s journey began at 13, selling postcards on the streets of Hanoi. She joined KOTO as one of its earliest trainees and quickly stood out for her determination and drive. Her passion for learning earned her a scholarship to study hospitality in Australia, followed by an MBA at RMIT. Over the years, she has co-founded a social enterprise, held leadership roles in hospitality, and worked in impact investment. After a meaningful chapter serving as KOTO Vietnam’s General Manager, Thao has now moved on to new horizons, continuing to inspire others and carry forward the values that KOTO instilled in her.

Another inspiring example is Truong who joined KOTO at 16 after leaving school to support his family. Shy and lacking confidence, he entered the front-of-house training program with no English or hospitality experience. But with determination and support, he quickly grew into a standout trainee. He began his career at the InterContinental Hotel, developed a passion for coffee and wine, and was later promoted to Wine Captain in 2011. Today, Truong is a supervisor at the international restaurant Halia Hanoi and still gives back to KOTO whenever he can. His journey reflects how the right opportunity can turn potential into lifelong success.

Guests dining at KOTO Van Mieu don’t just enjoy a beautifully prepared meal; they meet the young people whose lives are being transformed in real time. Many go on to lead successful careers in top restaurants, hotels, or even start their own businesses.

With over 1,200 graduates to date, KOTO’s impact reaches far beyond the kitchen. It ripples through families and communities, proving that when youth are given opportunity, they can achieve extraordinary things.

How Footprint Integrates KOTO Vietnam into Travel Experiences

Meaningful travel happens when every journey supports something greater. That’s why Footprint Travel proudly includes KOTO Vietnam in our Vietnam itineraries.

Whether it’s a lunch or dinner at KOTO Van Mieu or a hands-on cooking class led by trainees, we create opportunities for travelers to engage directly with KOTO’s mission.

The food served at KOTO is as memorable as the story behind it—beautifully presented Vietnamese dishes made with fresh, local ingredients and prepared with care by the very youth the program supports. It’s a true taste of Vietnam, rich in both flavor and purpose. For many travelers, this is not only a highlight of their trip, but a deeply moving moment that connects them to the human side of hospitality in Vietnam.

These experiences aren’t just about food, they’re about connection. Guests meet the young people behind the meals, learn their stories, and see how travel supports long-term change.

For our B2B partners, it’s an easy and impactful way to enrich your tours with purpose-driven moments that resonate long after the trip ends.

>>> Want a closer look at what’s on the table? Explore KOTO’s current menu to see the delicious Vietnamese dishes your travelers can enjoy. Each one crafted with care and full of purpose.

A Shared Commitment to Responsible Travel in Vietnam

Footprint Travel and KOTO Vietnam share more than just a partnership. We share a vision of responsible tourism that uplifts everyone involved. At the heart of our collaboration is the belief that travel can and should be a force for good in Vietnam’s communities.

By including KOTO Van Mieu, a social enterprise restaurant in Hanoi, in our curated journeys, travelers gain the opportunity to directly support programs that change lives. This experience goes beyond simple charity. It’s about empowerment, dignity, and sustainable impact that lasts long after the trip ends.

Together, Footprint Travel and KOTO Vietnam are shaping a model of sustainable tourism in Vietnam, where every meal, every encounter, and every journey leaves a positive mark on local youth and communities.

Plan Your Visit to KOTO Vietnam and Make a Difference

At Footprint, we invite our B2B partners to be part of something greater by including KOTO in your Vietnam itineraries, highlighting its story to your travelers, and joining us in a model of tourism that truly gives back.

A simple meal, a cooking class, or a moment of connection can open doors for disadvantaged youth and create lasting memories for your guests. When travel supports purpose, everyone benefits such as communities grow stronger, experiences become richer, and your brand stands for something meaningful. Because when travel is built on purpose, its impact reaches far beyond the destination.

If you’re inspired to collaborate, dine, or learn more about how KOTO brings impact to every plate, their team would be delighted to hear from you. Get in touch with them through the details below:

KOTO VAN MIEU
35 Van Mieu, Dong Da District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: +84 (0) 24 6686 7736
Hotline: 086 880 3814
Email: accountmanager@koto.com.au