Alumni wow customers with delicious cuisine

Alumni wow customers with delicious cuisine

Four RMIT Vietnam alumni have begun to leave a footprint on Vietnam’s food and beverage industry with tasty dishes for customers from all walks of life.

A barbecuing ambassador for Hoi An

Despite collecting a dream salary, Bachelor of Commerce alumnus Nguyen Mai Trang left her job in the financial industry after just one year in order to travel, refresh and reorient her career.

Back from her travels to Europe, Trang went to Hoi An where she would meet the people who would go on to establish The Charcoal House – Grill and Hot Pot.

“I took popular grilled street food and serve it in an elegant, international standard environment that doesn’t betray the Hoi An spirit,” Trang said.

“I was trying to keep The Charcoal House true to its slogan by offering a ‘different way, amazing taste’.”

Recently Trang made a short video to not only attract customers to her restaurant, but also tourists to the old town.

Nguyen Mai Trang shows off The Charcoal House's menu Nguyen Mai Trang shows off The Charcoal House's menu

Upgrading mommy’s rolled cake store

During her childhood, Dang Ngoc Trinh often watched her mother prepare hot, tasty dishes of banh cuon (rolled cake) for customers.

Over the years the small store near Tan Binh Market in HCMC attracted more and more customers, but without a proper name its popularity could only spread so far.  

After graduating with a Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication) degree, Trinh began the work of professionalising the brand and of leaving a mark on Vietnam’s F&B industry.

Banh cuon Gao’s first restaurant was located near her family’s old store to take advantage of existing reputation and loyal customers.

“From a small shop, my mother’s banh cuon is now being served in a restaurant with more attractive decorations, active waiters, better food safety, and quality management processes.

“After only nine months of operation, Banh cuon Gao is packed with customers every morning,” Trinh proudly shared.

The second restaurant was just launched in the heart of district 3 with a more extensive menu and offerings beyond its main dish of banh cuon.

“I am planning to develop Banh cuon Gao into a restaurant chain, add at least one new location every year,” Trinh said.

Dang Ngoc Trinh prepares food for costumers Dang Ngoc Trinh prepares food for costumers

Attracted by Korean cuisine

When Lan was carrying their first child, the Master of Business Administration alumni couple Hoang Tien Sy and Phung Thi Thanh Lan fell in love with one of the best food in the world - Korean BBQ.

“Almost all Korean BBQ brands in HCMC only offer franchising outside the city,” Sy said.

“We were lucky enough to persuade King BBQ’s CEO to franchise in HCMC and to allow us to fully own the restaurant.”

After a half year of operation, King BBQ Suong Nguyet Anh is now stable, and the couple is planning to open another franchise location. In the near future they hope to build their own restaurant chain.

Hoang Tien Sy and Phung Thi Thanh Lan (in black from right to left) were at King BBQ Suong Nguyet Anh's opening ceremony Hoang Tien Sy and Phung Thi Thanh Lan (in black from right to left) were at King BBQ Suong Nguyet Anh's opening ceremony

Story: Hoang Ha

30 June 2016

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