Bờm Hospitality has been a shining light in Vietnam’s F&B industry since it brought a breath of fresh air under the brand name Bờm Kitchen & Wine Bar in 2022. Rather, it’s the place to go on a culinary quest, where you’ll find trendy Asian dishes in a chic Western-inspired setting.
The story of Bờm Hospitality's founder
Born into a family with a wealth of business acumen, Bờm Hospitality founder John Do has carved his own path in propelling Vietnam to a leading position in the hospitality industry. His father, Do Cao Bao, is a renowned entrepreneur and co-founder of FPT Corporation, Vietnam's largest technology conglomerate. Famous for his book “Vietnam Ambition: Why We're Still Poor?”, Do Cao Bao has inspired young entrepreneurs and pioneered the transformation of Vietnam into an economic powerhouse.
From an early age, John Do was guided to follow in his father's footsteps in the technology field. However, aside from his rigorous studies, John Do also spent a lot of precious time in the cozy kitchen with his mother, helping her cook and taking care of the family. Over time, he realized that apart from his desire to improve Vietnam, he also had a passionate love for cooking and bringing joy to others.
John Do was ambitious and decided to pursue his dreams. He traveled to the United States to broaden his horizons and hone his skills. John Do's goal was to complete his studies and return to his home country to contribute to Vietnam's economic development through the hospitality and culinary industry.
A journey from the lowest starting point to overcoming ambition
With a burning ambition to conquer the culinary world, John Do enrolled at Boston University, where his dreams became a reality. Quickly realizing the value of work experience, John Do decided to start his career from the bottom, working as a dishwasher at a seafood restaurant near Harvard University.
With hard work and determination, John Doe quickly proved himself. Within a few months, John Doe was trusted to take on the role of head chef from a dishwasher position. With ample experience under his belt, John Doe moved to fine dining restaurants to broaden his expertise before returning to Vietnam to fulfill his ambitions. However, the sudden COVID-19 outbreak brought major challenges to the food and beverage industry.
Returning to his hometown during the pandemic, John Do witnessed the devastating impact that COVID-19 had on the restaurant industry, forcing many restaurants around the world, including Vietnam, to close. With a firm grasp of the situation, John Do realized that in his position as a chef, he could not save any business. He chose vibrant Saigon as the next stop on his culinary journey. Here, he established his first restaurant, Bờm Gastronomy, marking a significant milestone in his career.
As the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic passed, a gloomy atmosphere of economic recession spread everywhere. John Do’s sharp strategic vision allowed him to realize that there are always opportunities hidden behind difficulties. The closure of many restaurants due to the pandemic created a new gap in the culinary market, while at the same time increasing the number of customers at Bờm Gastronomy.
Understanding the impact of the economic crisis on people's lives, John
Do adjusted his business strategy: Bờm Gastronomy was renamed Bờm Kitchen & Wine Bar, with a more accessible menu and service style while still maintaining a certain level of sophistication.
This bold change was a huge success: Bờm Kitchen & Wine Bar quickly became a popular spot for locals and international tourists alike, helping to enrich Saigon’s diverse culinary landscape.
With a “think big and do it” mentality, John Doe is constantly innovating and developing products to provide customers with unique and premium culinary experiences.
The result of extraordinary efforts
In the summer of 2023, the Michelin Guide, the world's most prestigious restaurant award, will officially land in Vietnam, marking a golden milestone in the history of Vietnamese cuisine. Bờm Kitchen & Wine Bar is honored to be Vietnam's first to be included in the Michelin selection with its three culinary masterpieces: Bờm Set, Bo Kho Tart and Black Sesame.
Bờm Kitchen & Wine Bar's widespread reputation inspired the Bờm Hospitality team to expand with their second project: Sóno restaurant. Inspired by its name meaning “echo” in Latin, Sóno offers an authentic Vietnamese culinary experience while promoting the essence of Vietnamese ingredients, culture and people to the world.
Located in a quiet yet luxurious corner of Thao Dien, Sóno is a hidden gem that attracts sophisticated diners with its attention to detail. Unlike Bờm Kitchen & Wine Bar, Sóno aims to provide an upscale experience at a reasonable price and is fast becoming a favourite haunt for Saigon's young and successful.
At Sóno, each dish tells a story and combines tradition and modernity. Guests can enjoy fresh ingredients prepared by a team of experienced and passionate chefs. The restaurant space is elegant and luxuriously appointed, offering guests a cosy and comfortable atmosphere.
In addition to operating fine dining restaurants, Bờm Hospitality also provides value to partners who need support in the F&B sector. A prime example is the launch of Ho Chi Minh City's first luxury cinema experience, Galaxy Cinema Thiso Mall, in collaboration with Galaxy Studio. For the first time, moviegoers can order food and enjoy alcoholic beverages directly at the cinema, taking the entertainment experience to a new level. As the official F&B partner, Bờm Hospitality now oversees the cinema's F&B functions and provides expert consulting.
The partnership with Galaxy Cinema Disu Mall is just one example of the value Bờm Hospitality brings to the Vietnamese market through the hospitality industry. The company now also operates several offices for start-ups and is nurturing many potential expansion projects in other areas of the industry.
The prestigious Michelin award is a testament to the tireless efforts of our talented founder, John Do.
This incredible achievement is a testament to the talent and fiery passion of Bờm Hospitality's founder, Mr. Jon Do. Under the leadership of this talented and insightful leader, Bờm Hospitality is not only a successful business, but also a symbol of Vietnamese aspiration – upward mobility and a desire to assert itself in the international market. Thanks to its “think big and act big” spirit, Bờm Hospitality is constantly innovating and creating to provide its customers with unique and exclusive culinary experiences.
The story of Bờm Hospitality and Jon Do is a testament to the belief in Vietnam's bright future. With talented, dedicated and ambitious people like Jon Do, Vietnam can confidently enter the international stage and achieve great success.
