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Charlie – Jardin de Tini, Ho Chi Minh City
THE PATH TO HAPPINESS THAT IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK
Charlie — co-creator of a place built step by step with patience and determination.
I met Charlie by accident.
I was in Saigon with my family, and like it often happens when traveling —
we couldn’t find a place to eat.
Właśnie wtedy zrozumiałem, że każdy zakątek świata odkrywa różne odcienie ludzkiego życia, a to miejsce było jednym z takich przykładów — shades of human life.
Without a plan, we turned into a small, hidden alley.
And that’s how we found it.
A tiny restaurant, tucked away from the noise of the city.
Charlie welcomed us together with her partner.
We didn’t know what to expect.
If the food would be good.
If it was just another random place.
After the first meal — everything changed.
Our taste buds… went crazy.
It wasn’t just good food.
It was an experience.
The flavors.
The presentation.
The atmosphere.
Outdoor tables surrounded by greenery, calm in the middle of chaos.
From that moment, we kept coming back almost every day.
And a thought appeared:
How is it possible that something like this exists in such a hidden place?
One day, walking back after lunch, we all agreed:
“This could easily be a 5-star kitchen.”
That’s when I first thought
I want to know the story behind this place.
And the people who created it.
A year later, I came back.
To my surprise — Charlie remembered me.
I asked her if she would like to be part of a series I’m creating.
A series about people I meet during my journey through Asia.
Not famous people.
Not people from headlines.
But ordinary people
with extraordinary stories.
That’s how
“Shades of Human Life”
was created.
Charlie agreed almost immediately.
And she wrote something that stayed with me:
“I’ve been thinking about something like this for a while.”
Sometimes timing and life… just align.
Below is Charlie’s story — exactly as I received it.
No edits.
No corrections.
Because in its raw form — it feels the most real.
CHARLIE’S STORY
“Hi Piotr,
I sincerely apologize for sending my text later than planned — I’ve just finished a week of helping at my previous workplace for Tết (Vietnamese New Year). Below is the first part of my answers to the interview questions. I’m writing in Vietnamese because it’s easier for me to express my thoughts that way.
I just ‘turned 22 for the tenth time’ (haha) last Sunday, and honestly, what matters most to me today is a sense of safety, stability, and a happy family. I want to live each day to the fullest and have no regrets (that’s my wish, although of course it’s impossible to achieve 100% — life and the universe don’t always follow our plans).
Before the age of 20, I had a very simple dream — to open a small café with cakes. However, when I moved to the most vibrant city in Vietnam and started studying at culinary school, meeting many famous chefs from Vietnam and abroad, I began to dream of becoming like them — traveling the world, working in Europe, on large ships (dreams of youth…).
But various events forced me to put those dreams aside. I returned to my hometown, where being a chef is considered ordinary and doesn’t offer many opportunities.
At the age of 21, I returned to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and started working at a French restaurant owned by one of my teachers. There, I became familiar with European cuisine and learned a great deal — not only about work, but also about life. At that time, I was very naïve and believed that everything they taught me (even shouting and harsh treatment) was for my own good. In reality, that period hurt me deeply on a psychological level.
After four years, I left that restaurant under not very good circumstances and stayed at home for three months, asking myself questions: Who am I? Where am I? What do I want? Is this really my passion? Should I change my job? These questions almost tore me apart.
Then I made a decision — I started working at a popular pizza chain where the requirements were very basic. It was an environment with clear rules; everything was organized — it seemed stressful at first, but over time I felt comfortable there.
The skills and experience I gained made me stop feeling useless. I gained recognition from my colleagues and supervisors. That place healed me mentally — I regained my confidence and stopped feeling hurt.
Then the COVID pandemic came. On a global scale it was terrible, but for me… not entirely. The lockdown allowed me to spend the most time with my mother and sister that I had in 10 years. We understood each other better, and since then the most important thing to me has been the health and happiness of my family.
I also became a cook at Madwine — a place that partly changed me. The owners gave employees the space to try different roles. I also became a well-liked person serving guests there. I worked very hard, with a passion for customer service.
That’s when I realized that maybe I’m not an outstanding chef — but I truly love making guests happy.
I met Vy (my partner in both work and life) during the pandemic — we started learning how to bake sourdough bread together. Over time, feelings developed and we entered into a relationship without big plans for the future (and now it’s been 5 years!).
We moved in together and created a small kitchen where we experimented with bread. We started selling it, and to our surprise, people loved it.
At first, everything was uncertain — a 50 m² apartment didn’t offer enough possibilities to support ourselves. I continued working at Madwine.
However, when we moved into a house at 86/6a Phan Tây Hồ, its architecture and garden made us think: ‘Why not?’ We started taking action — and that’s how
Jardin de Tini
was born.
(to be continued)
Recently, we’ve been a bit busier — since the beginning of March, private bookings appeared and we had to close the garden for almost a month. Last weekend, we did everything to reopen again (we were exhausted haha).
Our regular customers had been waiting for a whole month — as soon as we announced the reopening, they came immediately. It was an incredible feeling.
Today, we feel that our work is finally starting to pay off, and we are deeply grateful for that.
At the beginning, we had no money — after difficult life experiences, we were starting from zero, saving every coin. There were few guests, and I was constantly worried. It felt like we had no chance compared to other cafés.
There was a moment when we wanted to give up.
BUT customer feedback gave us strength. We kept telling ourselves: we move slowly, but steadily. We take care of quality and service.
We believe in word-of-mouth marketing — maybe slower, but it builds loyal customers.
Today, JDT is not just a business — it’s a place of healing and growth for both me and Vy.
After turning thirty, I realized that the chaos of youth doesn’t really matter. Happiness is simple: family, everyday life, loved ones, and working with heart.
Instead of thinking too much about the future, I compare myself with my past — and that gives me peace.
I am grateful for simple things: that I am alive, that I have my family, Vy, JDT, and people who like us.
And yes — I also dream about winning the lottery haha — then JDT would be even better!
See you someday. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to write this letter.
The agreement may be slightly delayed because I need to print it — but please continue calmly according to the plan.
With respect.”
ENDING
There are places you remember because of the food.
There are places you remember because of the people.
And then there are places like Jardin de Tini —
that stay with you because of the story.
Charlie’s story is not spectacular.
There are no big headlines.
But there is something more important:
a journey.
A journey through doubt, struggle, change…
into a place that finally feels enough.
Because maybe happiness is not somewhere far away.
Maybe it’s exactly where we stop trying so hard to find it.
Visit Jardin de Tini
If you ever find yourself in Ho Chi Minh City, make sure to visit this special place created by Charlie and Vy.
It’s not just a restaurant — it’s a space built with passion, calmness and genuine care for guests.
Address:
86/6A Phan Tây Hồ
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Instagram:
@jardindetini
If you visit this place, take a moment, feel the atmosphere, and remember the story you’ve just read.
