Oodles of Noodles, Vietnam

Location -  Hoi An, Vietnam

With an estimated 20,000 children living on the streets in Vietnam, there is still a huge divide in the population and this is made worse by a lack of child protection systems. Our team in country partnered with STREETS, which is a programme that works with at-risk youth to train them for hospitality roles. The Oodles of Noodles tour was created to help teach them the skills needed to work in a professional kitchen and also to help develop their English skills which is vital for success in the hospitality industry. The students lead classes for travellers to teach them about the different types of noodles available in Hoi An (of which there are 26!). The Oodles of Noodles programme means that STREETS can continue to provide tuition, safe housing and health care to those most at risk. Graduates of the STREETS programme receive an International Culinary Arts Certificate, and many go on to work in large 5 star hotels in cities across Vietnam.