KOTO Saigon Restaurant

On 4 October 2011 Trainees, staff, Ho Chi Minh City’s (HCMC) DOLISA representatives, Australian Consul General in HCMC, Mr Graeme Swift, and over 150 supporters gathered in HCMC to celebrate the opening of the KOTO Saigon restaurant.

The opening of the restaurant at 151A Hai Ba Trung Street, District 3, HCMC, represents the final stage of KOTO’s establishment in the south of Vietnam.

KOTO founder and KOTO International CEO, Mr Jimmy Pham, said his dream of bringing KOTO to the south has now come true. His dream started 15 years ago when he met some street kids in HCMC and promised he would one day help them change their lives.

The KOTO Saigon training centre opened in January 2010 and has since welcomed 100 trainees into its program. The restaurant opening is the final stage in KOTO’s replication of its successful Hanoi social enterprise model which will then lead to the opening of new centres internationally.

Mr Phi, a trainee who started in the first class in KOTO Saigon, encouraged people to visit the restaurant and see that the experience is more than just a meal.

He said he wants people to come to the restaurant not only because they love the food but also because they love the feeling of being part of KOTO.

The restaurant is housed in a villa and has indoor and outdoor dining and uses traditional Vietnamese ingredients in an innovative way to create its unique menu. Catering will be available from early 2012.