VIP Bikes

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When Australian Andrew Souto first visited Vietnam in 2005 he saw a country struggling to develop its automotive repair industry and also witnessed the plight of street kids who come from the rural areas to make money in the city to send home to their families. As a qualified motor mechanic Andrew decided the best way to help these kids was by sharing his skills. In 2008 with support from the Volunteer International Development Australian Program (VIDA) and Australian NGO Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, Andrew established a motorbike rental and repair business like no other - VIP Bikes. Currently VIP Bikes provides on-the-job motorbike mechanic training for up to 12 young trainees from disadvantaged background. The aim is to ensure that the skill will eventually provide them with a living as well as a means to support their families. They provide long term motorbike rentals with regular servicing ensuring customers’ Hanoi riding experience is as mechanically safe as it can be and as hassle free as possible.

Now VIP Bikes wants to expand and improve the training program. The aim is to provide a more structured training. To this end VIP Bikes is liaising with vocational colleges in Australia to source accredited training materials that can be modified for the VIP project.

Virtually all of the trainees working in VIP have experienced extreme social disruption and many are still enduring extremely poor living conditions. In order to expand the number of trainees and ensure their health, safety and social needs it is now also a priority to establish a VIP Bikes residential facility.

Please see their website for more information vipbikes.org