What is it like to arrive in Finland, train for an entirely new profession and then open your own café after graduation? 

Originally from Vietnam, Ngo Thi Le Hang and Nguyen Ha Thu Dung graduated from the Further Vocational Qualification in Food Services programme at Tampere Adult Education Centre TAKK. Today, they welcome customers to their own café, LittleMuru, at Koskikeskus shopping centre in Tampere.

When Hang began her studies in Finland, the restaurant industry was an entirely new world to her.

– I started completely from scratch. In Vietnam, I worked in banking, she says.

Dung had some previous experience in the field, but in Finland they both began developing their expertise through Finnish vocational education and training. During their studies, they gained practical skills that café entrepreneurs need every day: cooking, baking and preparing breakfast and café products.

A Dream Born in Japan

– When I graduated, I decided to open my own café. I wanted to create a place where people could slow down for a moment, relax and enjoy good food, says Dung.

And so LittleMuru was born.

The café’s name combines English and Finnish. “Little” reflects the small, cosy space, while “Muru” adds a warm Finnish touch.

Little Muru’s selection is built around products that were previously hard to find in Tampere.

On his first trip to Japan, Hang fell in love with Japanese soufflé pancakes. These light and airy pancakes left a lasting impression on her. Now, soufflé pancakes are LittleMuru’s speciality. Other products include fresh waffles, cakes baked daily, coffee made from genuine Vietnamese coffee beans, and Japanese matcha. Everything is made using the freshest possible ingredients.

– We make everything fresh every day and use plenty of fresh fruit.

When asked what a first-time visitor should try, the answer comes quickly. The most popular item is the Strawberry Matcha Latte, with the café’s signature soufflé pancakes.

Support for Entrepreneurship Through Their Studies

Although entrepreneurship requires a great deal of initiative, Hang and Dung feel that they also received valuable support from TAKK. Their teachers encouraged them to pursue entrepreneurship and offered practical advice on setting up a business. Ultimately, however, their own motivation was the decisive factor.

– First, you need to have a dream. Then you can make it come true, Hang says.

Opening the café was naturally an exciting moment.

– This is our first café, so of course we have been nervous!

After the first few weeks, however, the atmosphere has been enthusiastic. Customers have discovered the new café quickly, and the reception has been warm.

Hang believes that Finnish customers appreciate light, fresh flavours and that Little Muru is bringing something genuinely new to Tampere.