OUR VALUES
OUR PURPOSE is to gather the people of Hanoi that are hungry for meaningful work, deep connections and creative inspiration - in order to support this energy and make it grow bigger. We believe that bringing individual change-makers together in a community of support and inspiration can substantially stimulate the spark for positive impact in Hanoi.
BUT WHAT DO WE MEAN BY POSITIVE IMPACT ?
To us, positive impact means creating a conscious and inclusive economy which values people and planet above profit.
It is the belief that work does not end with financial result, but can have a deeper social, ecological or creative purpose.
THE TEAM...
Co-founder and landlord, Hoang is an expert tinkerman and master procrastinator.
A kaleidoscope of experience and knowledge, he embraces weirdness and delights in contradictions, knows things no one cares about and cares about things nobody else remembers.
Hoang loves to observe and support people, and is an information sponge who can spend hours reading about any random thing he finds interesting.
Professional deadline runner. Originally a customer, Trang was completely converted to the weird side and has since become an integral part of the scene at Hub.
Despite claiming to be a freelance expert in translation, linguistic quality assurance and project manager, she's actually just a crazy cat lady who likes to sit quietly by herself, enjoying some nice music and sweet solitude.
Warning : you should only allow her a certain amount of coffee a day, unless you want to go broke.
Hang fits into any size of hugs! Based on stature alone, she is definitely Hub's little house-elf.
She's loving and likes to run around supporting people, watching them eat and talk and share and connect to each other. She's shy but in truth, if anyone ever picked up the phone at Hub, it'd most likely be her. Insecure about her English, she really needs you to talk to her and encourage her to practice.
Don't leave any fruits around, because before you know it *zip* *slash* *swoosh* they'll all be in pieces, ready for you to eat !
Hub’s legendary cat, Kani is constantly poised and curious. There’s no need for words, all she needs is hugs and love. The best kind of friends ever.
Legend says no matter how quiet and shy Kani might be, she has superpowers and many unimaginably amazing achievements. What could they be...?
Such a mystery !
Imaginative, feminine, bossy, tidy, adventurous, determined & bored, no-nonsense & straight-forward, genteel & tough, musical & resourceful.
Sometimes she lives in Neverland, sometimes in Wonderland or exploring the closet to Narnia. The one who has all wishes came true with the hidden magic wand while raising a Dinosaur. She listens attentively.
She exercises control over her emotions and makes choices based on what's right rather than on how she feels. Though she isn't perfect, she possesses a strong sense of duty that comes with knowing, believes and trusts.
OUR EXTENDED FAMILY
The original Community Builder of The Learning Hub, Long is a French Viet Kieu who brought together our amazing community of like-minded people during the six months he made Hanoi his second home. Now based in Bangkok, Long loves to be inspired by Vietnamese changemakers and remains a great support, being a master in social networks, development strategy, and juggling tennis balls.
The chief marketeer and fashionista of the team, Huyen is responsible for the dreamy content and sweet nostalgic film photos often shared on Hub's fanpage.
In real life, she's awkward and terrified of strangers, but also drenched in sarcasm and witty humour.
Do talk to her, she's always hungry for new learnings !
Nga eats very slowwwwwwly.
Nga reads mangas to relive moments, to seek answers and to self reflect.
Nga floats among seaweeds in a pair of yellow slippers.
Nga holds her vision and trusts the process.
Thanh is a young soul who doesn’t care about ‘how old are you’ but ‘how old is your soul’. She can be easily recognized with a big smile.
Freedom, Joy and Sincerity are what inspire and make her way of living and working.
Wanna talk with her? Let’s talk about salad.
XuAn loves Art and Children. She is keen on creating the conditions to nurture creativity and imagination in children. She is passionate about Graphic Facilitation and Graphic Recording: it’s her way to bring meaning to her drawings.
She is also a hungry-learner. She desires to have as much insights and experiences as possible.
Koyo was born in Japan, grew up in Vietnam and learned how to drink in The Netherlands.
She is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer who loves to use the power of visuals to heal wounds, nurture human souls, and build a better world for future generations.
Koyo is an adventurer at heart and can't stay for so long at one place. She is always hungry for new experiences, loves to learn new things and acquires new (random) skills.
Give her food and you will instantly be her friend!
The tallest man in Vietnam is in our team !
Oscar is Dutch, not Mexican - but he still loves tacos. Not as much as bún chả with 2 nems, though.
If you manage to finish lunch before him... you might get a free membership.
Do not forget to wash your cup or he will use his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on you ;)
DINH-LONG
HUYEN
NGA
THANH THANH
XUAN
KOYO
OSCAR
Priscilla, aka Mỹ Lan, is from Belgium.
Despite missing out on her favourite chocolates and cheeses, she opted to move to Asia to face new challenges and make a difference.
She is passionate about sustainability and protecting the environment, and wants to support meaningful projects that work towards those goals.
You can always find Priscilla by looking for her big smile and unique laugh, or the sound of her clumsily knocking things over :D
She took a took a 6-month biking trip from Vietnam back to Belgium at the end of her adventure !
Kieu My is a firecracker in a small package. Her arrival is always announced and preceded by her *unique* laugh that can be heard from miles away.
She dropped out of university at one point and returned to finish it ! You may find her quietly meditating one moment, then spouting profanities the next.
Don't make a mess or do things half-heartedly if you don't want her judgment to rain on you.
A "multipotentialite", Hieu has numerous interests and is open to trying anything. He has studied/worked in many countries, and travelled to a different one each birthday.
Having articipated in various organizations and projects, his true passion is for hospitality - not just the industry but every facet of the word. If you ever received a gift from him, it'd be well thought out and a perfect fit.
Sassy, bitchy and often appearing judgmental, Hieu is really a softy at heart - give him good food or ask him about becoming a Hotelier at Cornell University and everything will be ok !
Thao has the soul of both a child and an old lady inside her youthful shell. Perpetually surprised and curious, yet also tries hard to appear nonchalant or (thinks she's) fierce and antisocial, sometimes.
She is an advocate for traditional and time-honoured art, craft as well as values. She enjoys books and spending quality time alone.
Don't give advices or tell her to "try harder" if you're not prepared for a debate about why being exactly how we are is enough.
Nhu is a serial hobbyist. At the moment she's into esperanto, effective altruism, circus, anything-improv... but ask her again in a month - the list is everchanging! She's likely to be down for a walk, having deep conversations or having no conversations at all.
"One day", she's gonna build her own house from mud, straw, bamboo, and scavenged materials.
Her motto? "It's always a choice."
The baby and the little fairy of The Learning Hub, you'd be under the impression that Nhung is surrounded by a gentle white light.
Often sitting by herself and so quiet you barely even notice she's there, it's astonishing to learn her love and passion is for musicals and theatre.
Mind blown !
Anne-Laure originally came to Vietnam for a corporate job, and then did the craziest thing: quit & stayed to focus on supporting social initiatives and alternative education.
Though principally working for Knowmads, she co-founded The Learning Hub and laid the foundations for our Home to grow.
Now back in France, she continued to help as a great mentor.
PRISCILLA
KIEU MY
HIEU
THAO
NHU
NHUNG
ANNE-LAURE
Aspiring free-range chick(en)
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT US
Vietcetera: Co-working space for social projects
Illustrations on this website are beautifully created by Katemangostar.
