Creating long-term educational and professional opportunities for young Hmong women in northern Vietnam.

The apprentices are not beginning without knowledge. They already bring languages, cultural understanding, practical skills and experience shaped by their families and communities.

Beginning in September 2026, two young women started a 30-month programme combining formal education, English, tourism, digital skills, practical training, cultural knowledge and workplace experience. Both apprentices will receive a safe home, personal bursary, professional support and the opportunity to build an independent future.

Five young women wearing Hmong and Red Dao clothing stand together outside the ETHOS office in Sa Pa.

2 apprentices · 30 months · 1350 hours of structured ETHOS training · 4 qualifications

Why the Programme Exists

Many young Hmong women are unable to complete school. Others attend school without a clear route into further education or professional work. Even when tuition support is available, the cost of accommodation, transport, food and daily life can make continued learning impossible.

Distance, limited professional networks and a lack of local role models can narrow the choices available to young women in mountain communities.

At the same time, the knowledge they already possess is often overlooked. The apprentices bring languages, cultural understanding, practical skills, resilience and experience shaped by their families and communities.

The ETHOS Apprenticeship Programme helps them recognise these strengths and connect them with formal education, English, tourism, digital skills, professional training and leadership opportunities.

Tourism can create meaningful opportunity when local women are trained not simply to assist visitors, but to lead, interpret, make decisions and shape the way their communities are represented.

Circular orange button with an illustration of three young women and the words “Meet the Apprentices”.

Choose where to continue

Meet Pang and Sinh, explore the full 30-month curriculum, or learn how you can help make the programme possible.

Circular orange button with an open-book and route icon and the words “Explore the Programme”.
Circular orange button showing two hands holding a heart and the words “Support the Programme”.
A funding progress infographic for the ETHOS Apprenticeship Programme showing total goals, recorded donations, amount still to fund, progress percentage, and a brief description of the program.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

  • Frank Holowich & Pam Williams (Ohio, USA)

  • Wayne & Sandi Newby (Australia)

  • Anonymous Donor

  • Nina Boydell (Australia)

  • Rafik Sarkissian (Armenia)

  • Axelle & Family (France)

  • Aran Barker & Family (Australia)

  • Hoang Long (Vietnam)

  • Heiko, Kirstin and Ben Schlouch (Germany)

  • Julie, Melanie, Guillaume & Seb (France)

  • Wan Qing (Singapore)

Every contribution moves the thirty-month journey forward - The stories are personal. The funding is shared.