Supported by the Australian Government, the 5-year initiative expands KOTO’s 24-month vocational education program to overcome systemic barriers to employment for marginalised groups across Vietnam.
HANOI, Vietnam — 21 August 2026 — KOTO and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) officially launched the next 5-year phase of their partnership - the ‘Our Turn’ project.
‘Our Turn’ builds on the foundations of the previous partnership, ‘Her Turn’, which facilitated targeted recruitment of ethnic minority women into KOTO’s core 24-month vocational training curriculum, provided intensive short courses for rural women, and delivered women's leadership development in the hospitality industry.
‘Our Turn’ casts the net wider by retaining a focus on ethnic minority women while introducing targeted recruitment for people with disability and other underrepresented groups. Building on the groundwork of ‘Her Turn’, the project will continue offering modular skill-building trainings to help trainees and staff from disadvantaged backgrounds upskill, earn promotions, and step into leadership positions within hospitality. Crucially, ‘Our Turn’ adopts a structural advocacy strategy aimed at driving policy reform and promoting workplace diversity, equity, and social inclusion (GEDSI) across the hospitality and vocational sectors nationwide. While Vietnam’s economic progress has been remarkable, harnessing the potential of all of Vietnam’s talent will boost that progress even more.
The project was officially launched at KOTO’s Dream School in Bac Ninh, attended by KOTO trainees, partner organisations, key media representatives, and Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Her Excellency Gillian Bird PSM. Keynote addresses were delivered by Her Turn alumni, KOTO Founder Jimmy Pham, and Ambassador Bird.
Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Gillian Bird PSM, said:
‘I am pleased to officially launch ‘Our Turn’ - the next 5 years of Australia’s partnership with KOTO. This is one element of Australia’s long-standing partnership with Vietnam in vocational skills development. ‘Our Turn’ will expand access to skills, jobs and brighter futures for Vietnamese youth from diverse backgrounds. And it will support diversity in participation, leadership and influence in Vietnam’s hospitality and tourism sectors. Inclusion and equality are more than our values – they are smart choices that lead to stronger businesses and communities. When everyone can contribute, businesses thrive, industries become more dynamic and economies grow.’
About Our Turn
Our Turn is a five-year inclusive economic empowerment project launched in 2026, supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Designed to address deep-seated socio-economic barriers, the initiative expands KOTO’s holistic training ecosystem by targeting structurally isolated demographics, specifically underrepresented and disadvantaged groups. Beyond vocational training and specialised upskilling modules, Our Turn engages directly with employers, vocational institutions, and policymakers to champion inclusive workplace practices and build sustainable, equitable career pathways across Vietnam’s hospitality sector.
About KOTO
KOTO (Know One, Teach One) is a pioneering Vietnamese social enterprise and vocational hospitality training organisation dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk and disadvantaged youth. Centered around its comprehensive 24-month residential curriculum, KOTO provides trainees with internationally recognised hospitality qualifications, English language instruction, essential life skills training, complete pastoral care, and 100% job placement upon graduating. Founded over two decades ago by Jimmy Pham AM, KOTO has empowered more than 2,000 young adults to break the cycle of inequality and lead lives of dignity and choice.
- Ends-
Media Contact
Ms Huong Dinh Mai
Personal Assistant to KOTO Founder
[email protected]
84 (0) 904 081 078
www.koto.com.au
Ms Le Trang Nguyen
Senior Communications Officer
+84 24 3774 0216
[email protected]
Australian Embassy, Hanoi