3 Apr 2025
The Bakery School Foundation, a global initiative of the Puratos Group, had the honor of welcoming Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians during their official visit to Vietnam. Their presence underscored the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to education, empowerment, and social equity—values deeply aligned with the Belgian Royal Family’s support for international development and Belgian social initiatives abroad.
Part of the Bakery School Foundation, the Bakery School Vietnam offered underprivileged youth a pathway to employment through high-quality training in baking, patisserie, and chocolate-making. As one of 13 schools worldwide, it fulfilled a dual mission: empowering the next generation with life-changing skills and helping meet the industry’s need for well-trained professionals.
This visit marks King Philippe's first to Vietnam as head of the royal family, following three visits as Crown Prince in 1993, 2003, and 2012. Queen Mathilde also visited in 2023. Their continued engagement underscores the strong ties between Belgium and Vietnam and the shared vision of sustainable development through education and economic opportunity, values embodied by the Bakery School Foundation.
During their visit, Their Majesties explored the extraordinary culinary creations from 39 Bakery School students, who beautifully combined the flavors of Vietnam's North, Middle, and South regions with the professional skills and techniques acquired during their training. The King and Queen engaged with the students, discussed their experiences at the school, their future aspirations, and sampled the exquisite dishes prepared by them.
Another highlight of the agenda was the Certificate Ceremony, where a cohort of 19 students was recognized for their successful completion of the program. With a 100% employment rate among graduates, this milestone reflected the school’s success in preparing students for promising careers in the bakery, patisserie, and chocolate industry.
Their Majesties’ presence underlined the enduring partnership between Belgium and Vietnam, supported by the Puratos Group through Puratos Grand-Place Indochina (PGPI) and other initiatives. This visit served as a powerful acknowledgment of these efforts, and the shared commitment to fostering opportunities, advancing sustainable development, and empowering the next generation.
The visit also reaffirmed the Bakery School Foundation’s growing global impact. With 13 schools across the world and more on the horizon, Puratos remains dedicated to building a future where every young person—regardless of background—can access quality education, meaningful careers, and the opportunity to thrive through the art of baking.
