Hoa Mai: A Home Built on a Promise

It began with a promise, not made in this village, not even in this country, but carried across generations.

Decades ago, a French man who had witnessed the war between France and Vietnam was left with one lasting thought: “War is between adults. But it is always the children who suffer most.” He dreamed of returning to help the children who had been left behind, orphaned, or scarred by conflict. He never got the chance to realise that dream.

But his son did.

Olivier Rodien first came to Vietnam as a traveller. He fell in love with a quiet seaside village in the south, and kept returning. Eventually, he did something few others would have the heart or courage to do: he stayed. And in 1994, he founded Hoa Mai Orphanage, fulfilling his father’s wish in the most tangible way possible.

What he created wasn’t just a shelter. It was a home.

Since then, Hoa Mai has raised over 150 children. More than 100 of them have now grown up, built lives of their own, and still return to visit, offering their time, their support, and their love to the next generation. Today, 35 children live here. The youngest is three. The eldest are in university or learning a trade.

At Hoa Mai, care doesn’t end at a certain age. Children are supported until they’re 22, and when they leave, they’re honoured with a small coming-of-age ceremony. Not as a goodbye, but a celebration of who they’ve become.

This kind of care doesn’t happen by accident.

The team behind Hoa Mai is small, just four staff members. Three of them were once children raised here. They live full-time at the orphanage, without personal families of their own. Their lives are poured into this place, quietly, daily, without fanfare.

There’s Ms. Tram, a former resident who returned after pursuing her career. She grew up here, developed a love for French, and eventually became Olivier’s interpreter. Even now, with a family of her own, she still spends most of her time at the orphanage. “This place raised me,” she says. “It will always be my family.”

Each staff member has their role, from handling education and emotional development to cooking, repairs, and preschool care. But they all share the same goal: to raise children who feel safe, confident, and loved.

Education is a priority here. Children attend local public schools, and once they reach high school, they receive tailored career guidance. Older siblings often help connect them with sponsors, and some even teach them vocational skills themselves. Two children are currently training in vehicle decal application and plans are already in place to help them open their own shop.

But it’s not just academics. Children learn through everyday experiences. The orphanage organises a small trip for the kids each summer.. They manage their own behaviour through self-evaluation journals. They save up lucky money to buy small things, like a phone, not handed out freely, but earned and valued.

There are challenges, of course. Monthly costs hover around 70 million VND and that doesn’t include extras like university tuition or medical needs. Electricity costs alone can reach 5 million VND a month, even without air conditioning. But Hoa Mai has never relied on flashy campaigns or social media. Support comes from word of mouth, kids who grew up there, local businesses, and people who believe in the work simply because they’ve seen it.

With the installation of a new solar energy system, the orphanage now has the chance to breathe a little easier. Power costs will go down. Savings can be redirected to what matters most. Meals, education, and creating a stable future for every child.

There’s no single word that defines Hoa Mai. It’s not just about sacrifice, or love, or second chances, though it holds all of those things. It’s about continuity. About one man carrying his father’s promise, and dozens of others carrying that promise forward, child by child.

Some places leave an impression. This one leaves a legacy.