We all need to eat, so why not eat for a cause? Head into Roll’d Vietnamese street food stores and that’s exactly what you can do. Buy a “Blue Box” for AUD$10.90, and AUD$2 from your purchase is donated to the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in Vietnam.
Back in 2013, we took a backpacking holiday for a month to Singapore and Vietnam. In Singapore, we stayed in a popular backpacking hostel on Joo Chiat Road called the Betel Box Hostel. Here we met now-owner Tony Tan, and his enthusiasm about life and Singapore was inspiring.
During one of our many conversations about our travels, he told us about a children’s foundation set up by an Australian teacher, Michael Brosowski and a Vietnamese university student Pham Sy Chung. This was our first introduction to the important work that the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation performs.
About Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation
The foundation is aimed at rescuing at risk children from homelessness and being exploited. In particular, those that have been trafficked into various forms of slavery. At the time of our travels, Blue Dragon had major centres in Hanoi and Hoi An. We visited their restaurant in Hoi An, where some of the rescued children were running the establishment to learn new life skills. If you are travelling and happen to visit beautiful Hoi An then make your way to 46 Bach Dang St, and eat at the Blue Dragon Restaurant. Their menu is small, but the food they do cook is cooked well, with that home made quality.
The Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation has done some fantastic work and as a result has had an impact on the lives of 68,000 children. It has around 65 staff members, caring for approximately 1,500 children in Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hue, Hoi An and Dien Bien. (Source: Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation).
You have a chance to help this worthwhile foundation by purchasing one of their delicious supporter meals. The Blue Box contains two freshly made Bao buns (sweet steamed bread buns), filled with your choice of five combinations and a drink from a wide selection in store. The buns were soft with just enough flavoursome filling. We tried barbecue chicken, beef and lemon grass, roast pork and crackling, and crispy prawns. While all were good, our favourites were the chicken and pork. Tofu is the fifth option for those looking for a vegetarian meal variety.
Where to find Roll’d Vietnamese Stores
Roll’d Vietnamese street food stores are located in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and the ACT. They also have a store scheduled to open in Adelaide sometime this year. If you are hungry, then check for your nearest Roll’d location here. Support the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation by buying one of these special and tasty meals. When supporting Roll’d Vietnamese an exploited child in Vietnam will be safer and grateful.
