Promoting Vietnamese culture and cuisine in Toulouse

Anyone who is in love with Vietnam can travel to Toulouse, 700 kilometres south of Paris, and visit a Vietnamese restaurant named “Bamboo” run by Nguyen Thai Hoc.

Thai Hoc has a lot of ideas to promote Vietnamese culture and cuisine, as well as Vietnamese handicraft products, to international friends in the city.

“I am very proud of being Vietnamese. Living and working in France, I want to introduce the beautiful features of Vietnam to people here. Even those who have never been in Vietnam can feel the cosy atmosphere and friendly hospitality when coming to my restaurant,” he shared.

He and his wife spent lots of time and money on the restaurant. They carefully collected everything from pictures and china to a sofa and wooden furniture in Vietnam, then shipped them to France.

“Coming to Bamboo, we like the way they serve people as well as their Vietnamese foods. Our friends were introduced to come here. Especially, the decorative items in the restaurant are delightfully beautiful,” said Ms Monica Ploguet, a VIP customer.

Bamboo restaurant owner Nguyen Thai Hoc. Photo: quehuongonline.vn

Bamboo offers traditional Vietnamese foods like rolls, pho (rice noodle soup), rice pancake, and steamed rolled rice pancake. Besides, various kinds of jam and sesame candy imported from Vietnam are also available.

Thai Hoc’s main job is as an electricity teacher at the Université Paul Sabatier in Toulouse. Quang Tri province is his original home. Leaving Vietnam at the age of 11, he is always looking toward to the homeland, doing something for Vietnam.

“Vietnam is on the way of development. Domestic products are beautiful and good quality. So, I want to open a company to ship such products to France, thus promoting the image of Vietnam to people here.”

Furthermore, Nguyen Thai Hoc actively participates in social activities of the overseas Vietnamese community and supports Vietnamese students in the city. His restaurant is currently employing some Vietnamese students during their free time.

“I have been in France for 2 years. My friends introduced me and I worked for Bamboo, mostly paying my university tuition fees. This job helps me to ease my homesickness,” said Dao Tuan Long, a female Vietnamese student.