Visually impaired students of the bartending class are careful with every step. (Photo: VOVTV)

Located at No 1 Nguyen Thi Due street, Hanoi, Café More Hanoi is part of a barista training and job creation project for people with visual impairment in Vietnam.

The model is jointly implemented by the Vietnam Blind Association and the Republic of Korea’s Siloam Centre for the Blind.

Dinh Viet Anh, VBA’s Vice Chairwoman, said, “This is the first beverage preparation training and job creation project for the blind in Vietnam. They are trained in beverage preparation, customer care, and social skills.”

Under the project, 36 blind people are attending six vocational courses in two years and three cafés will be opened.

Pham Xuan Truong, Director of the Training and Rehabilitation Center for the Blind (Photo: VOVTV)

According to Pham Xuan Truong, Director of the Training and Rehabilitation Center for the Blind, “The center will develop this training program and chain of cafes to provide career opportunities for blind people. The model will then be replicated throughout Vietnam.”

Than Thuy Hang, an employee of Café More Hanoi, said she has to try hard to do the job, adding, “It’s difficult for me to pour water into the pitcher because I can’t see how much I’m pouring. So I count in my head for about 10 seconds while I pour. I had to practice this again and again to get good at it.”

Vocational training and job creation in the beverage industry benefits the blind and has a positive effect on society. The blind learn a new profession, have the opportunity to open their own café, improve their living conditions, and become financially independent.

Le Thi Tuong Thu, Chairwoman of the Trade Union of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, said, “With effort and perseverance, the blind and other people with disabilities can absolutely rise up, even run their own businesses, and create jobs for others in the same situation. That will encourage others to overcome difficulties and move forward.”

The students serving drinks to the delegates at the launch ceremony of the cafeteria. (Photo: VOV5)

Café More Hanoi is a friendly, warm, and green space. A customer named Luu Minh Hoa said she thinks everybody who comes here can feel the staff’s sincerity and enthusiasm.

“I was surprised to learn that the drinks here are prepared by blind people. That’s special because the drinks are precisely mixed and beautifully presented. They’re really delicious and that’s very commendable,” said Hoa.

More Café Hanoi is a creative business model that provides a humane workplace, generates jobs for visually impaired people and help them realize the dream of their life.