Our team

In October 2014 we, Tú & Germ, started Noir. Dining in the Dark in Saigon, a restaurant where guest are dining in complete darkness and being served by blind and visually impaired people.The restaurant has been a success ever since. We are very grateful to our guests who are providing great feedback and support.This has been an experience of people's lives and values.

A year and a half later we are ready to launch the second concept, this time with deaf and hearing impaired employees. It has been around eight months since we got connected to our team through the Centre of Deaf and Hard of Hearing. During the job interviews, they have completely eliminated our original concerns about starting a new career in hospitality. They told us (by using sign language) inspiring stories of their extraordinary energy, tenacity; about faith, optimism and their values.

They have indeed motivated and inspired us to develop this concept, a concept where our guests will communicate and try out ordering a meal with the staff in sign language. This social business will help and boost awareness toward the deaf and hearing impaired community in the region. And then the first restaurant with the concept of letting guests use sign language in Saigon was born, called Blanc.

From the first days of training until today, we have learned to live and to experience their world for a better understanding of their lives. For them, it is a doorway to the field of hospitality service excellence. We have noticed that the lack of experience is compensated by their enthusiasm and willing to learn new tasks. And for us a way to improve on our sign language and a better understanding of a silent world.

After hundreds of hours of training a new world gradually opened up to them and also to all of us. Now, they are fully equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their job and are ready to welcome the first guests with a most positive attitude and excitement.

We are really proud of our team, because they are the ones who make the difference.

Tú & Germ – Founders of Blanc. 17 July 2017