The Triệu Institute in Saigon stands as an all-women-run bar dedicated to showcasing the finest female bartending talent in the region
At the intersection of tradition and innovation, The Triệu Institute and partner brand Lady Trieu Gin redefine Vietnam’s drinking scene, championing female talent and inclusivity in the bustling heart of Ho Chi Minh.
14 March 2024
Share this exclusive content from Saladplate
A busy night at The Triệu Institute. Image credit: The Triệu Institute
In the heart of Vietnam’s dynamic food and drink scene, The Triệu Institute, housed in a vintage two-story shophouse in the vibrant Mac Thi Buoi neighbourhood, is emerging not just as a bar of substance (and one of the city’s hottest watering holes) but also as a platform for female bartending talent in Asia’s rapidly expanding homegrown alcohol industry.
Image credit: Lady Trieu Gin
As an extension of the Vietnam-based, award-winning small-batch Lady Trieu Gin – in 2023 they were the most awarded gin brand in Asia – both brands draw inspiration from the legendary Vietnamese warrior Lady Trieu, a 3rd-century figure known for her leadership and strength in repelling the Chinese invasion.
Dương Nguyên, Bar Manager at The Trieu Institute. Image credit: The Triệu Institute
Rooted in a desire to reflect the passion, independence, pride, and excellence of modern Vietnamese culture, and the rich heritage of Vietnam, the team “kept coming back to Lady Trieu (or Ba Trieu to those in Vietnam) as she embodied the ideals of pride, independence, and the quest for excellence,” shared Adam Westbrook, master distiller and head of operations for Lady Trieu Gin.
Woman First
The Lady Trieu Gin Distilling Team. Image credit: Lady Trieu Gin
A distinguishing feature of Lady Trieu Gin and The Trieu Institute is their focus on female leadership, a rarity in the typically male-dominated bar industry. With Bao Chau as the distillery’s Head of Operations, Dương Nguyên as the Bar Manager at The Trieu Institute, and Sam Tran as Lady Trieu’s Brand Ambassador, plus a team comprising 65% women at their rural Cu Chi distillery, they’re setting a new standard. “Lady Trieu’s ideals of progressiveness, inclusivity, and feminism became key pillars of our identity early in our journey,” shared Adam.
The brand’s social media and programming heavily feature female talent. Anchor initiatives like the “Female Icons Series“ aim to bring world-renowned female talents from the culinary and hospitality industries to share knowledge and experiences, inspiring the next generation of female bartenders. Special guests have included Kata Simon from the Ministry of Men (Hanoi), Angel Ji from Triptyk (Kuala Lumpur), Julie Nguyễn from The Opium Bar (Bangkok), chef Tue Nguyen of Di Di (Los Angeles), and more. “We hope these international luminaries not only share their experiences with our community but also spread our message globally,” said Adam.
Women At The Top
Image credit: The Triệu Institute
To celebrate International Women’s Week, the brand organised the ‘One in a Million’ event, featuring a roster of international female bartending talents across several hotel properties in Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailand, showcasing Lady Trieu’s gins. “A major challenge we’ve faced is the misconception that being a feminist brand makes us gender-specific,” shared Adam. “We hope to move beyond such outdated notions, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of challenging this misconception.”
Looking ahead, Lady Trieu Gin and The Triệu Institute are set for expansion, continuing their aim to introduce the flavours of Vietnam to the world. “The year ahead is an exciting one for Lady Trieu Gin. In our first year, we sold only in our home country of Vietnam. We are currently available in seven countries with several more coming very, very soon.” said Adam.
Lady Trieu Gin range at The Triệu Institute. Image credit: Lady Trieu Gin
It’s clear the story of Lady Trieu Gin and The Triệu Institute transcends gin or cocktails; it’s about challenging norms, celebrating diversity, and elevating the talents and voices of women and the broader community. In a world craving change, they offer a refreshing mix of tradition and modernity, served with a dash of inclusivity and distinctly Vietnamese spirit.
Fun Fact: Every bottle of Contemporary Vietnam Gin has the coordinates of their distillery, just type it into Google Earth and you’ll find them.
Another Fun Fact: To taste a gin that embodies Vietnamese identity and pride, the limited edition Hoi An Spice Road infuses traditional Vietnamese botanicals into their gin like fragrant notes of cardamom, cassia, ginger, and pepper, balanced with zesty lime and pomelo.
Author: Charlene Fang
Charlene Fang is a US-based writer, editor and content strategist. Originally from Singapore, she writes for lifestyle and travel publications such as Condé Nast Traveler, AFAR, Forbes Travel Guide and Louis Vuitton Guides and was previously an editor at CNNGO and Time Out. View her portfolio at www.charlenefang.co
