Nguyen Quang Quang, 45, remembers Chau Long Market in Hanoi during the early 1990s as a cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells: light reflecting off red tiles, the mingled aromas of fish and meat with stagnant water, the clatter of knives and chopping boards, and the hurried rumble of handcarts.

"Hey, kid!", he recalls. At those words, young Quang would dart from his corner of the market. He'd swiftly wipe tables and wash cutting boards, earning 1,000 to 2,000 Vietnamese dong or a piece of bread to stave off hunger.

Quang (far right in the green shirt) with fellow Koto trainees, class of 2000-2002. Photo: Koto

Quang (far right in the green shirt) with fellow Koto trainees, class of 2000-2002. Photo: Koto

Originally from Ha Tay, Quang was born into poverty. Witnessing his parents' daily struggles and his two younger siblings going hungry, he left school in 1992 to find work in Hanoi.

Long Bien wholesale market was his first stop. However, his slight frame and youthful face discouraged potential employers. After days of hunger, he drifted to Chau Long Market, nestled within the old quarter. Initially, he lingered in a corner, offering help wherever needed. Gradually, people began hiring him for odd jobs, like scrubbing meat stalls or plucking chickens and ducks.

Days of immersing his hands in dirty water led to painful sores. At night, he would grit his teeth, soaking his hands in alum water to ease the pain. After a long day’s work, Quang would sleep anywhere dry in the market. "Life was hard back home too, but at least I had my parents," he reflects.

After almost three years at the market, a vendor took him in as a house helper. He continued working at other stalls to send money home to his family.

When Quang was 19, the vendor's brother visited and asked, "Do you have any dreams?". The question sparked a memory: the hotel staff on a street near Chau Long Market, impeccably dressed, politely greeting foreign guests, and opening doors to elegant, perfume-scented lobbies.

"That image seemed magical to me back then," Quang recalls.

This pivotal moment led him to KOTO (Know One, Teach One), Vietnam’s first social enterprise, which provides hospitality training to disadvantaged youth.

Jimmy Pham, KOTO's founder, remembers Quang's interview in 2000. Everyone was moved by his story, but they also saw his innocence and bright smile. After the interview, Jimmy asked, "Do you know why you were chosen?". Without waiting for a reply, he continued, "It's because you smile a lot."

At KOTO, Quang chose to train as a waiter, drawn by that "magical feeling".

While the coursework was easy, English proved a challenge. He continued working at the market to support his family and pay for extra English lessons. His room became filled with English notes. He'd sing along to his old cassette player, even without understanding the lyrics. He even practiced English at the market.

At the end of his first month at KOTO, he was called to receive a salary. Initially confused, he signed for 500,000 dong, a stipend from sponsors. "I couldn't stop crying. After 7 years of hardship, I finally received a real salary," he remembers.

Quang and guests at KOTO's annual sponsor appreciation event in 2023. Photo: Provided by the subject

Quang and guests at KOTO's annual sponsor appreciation event in 2023. Photo: Provided by the subject

Graduating in 2002, Quang followed Jimmy's advice: "To go far, experience a lot." He worked six months at each job, moving from the Press Club to the Metropole, and then becoming assistant F&B manager at the 5-star Sheraton Hotel.

After over two years as an employee, Quang ventured to Mui Ne with two friends. They opened a pub built with bamboo, cement, and a Hawaiian theme. Mui Ne was then popular with German and Russian tourists. Quang's experience in international hotels gave him insight into their preferences. "Instead of loud club music, I chose rock, pop, and hip-hop, which suited their drinking habits," he says. Within two months, their pub became a hotspot.

In 2007, he opened a bar in Hanoi's Old Quarter, targeting tourists and young Vietnamese. Over the next 8 years, he expanded to other tourist destinations, offering vibrant music venues featuring local and international DJs.

The Covid-19 pandemic severely impacted his businesses. "I went back to studying to find new business strategies to adapt to the economic downturn," he says. His diverse clientele and extensive network helped him recover, and he continued to open new establishments. By 2024, he owned 22 music venues and 13 hotels across Vietnam.

Quang and his wife on a trip in 2024. Photo: Provided by the subject

Quang and his wife on a trip in 2024. Photo: Provided by the subject

Despite his busy schedule, the former KOTO trainee returns several times a year as a sponsor and mentor. Many KOTO alumni work in his businesses, some having achieved success thanks to his guidance.

Jimmy Pham speaks fondly of Quang's journey from a homeless boy to a successful entrepreneur. "The livelihoods he's created, the families he's supported, and the futures he's shaped are a testament to a life built on integrity, compassion, and purpose," Jimmy says.

For Quang, the secret to his success lies in hard work and perseverance. "Those 7 years at the market taught me resilience and gave me the perspective I needed to navigate life," he says.

Phan Duong

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