Tiếng ViệtKhánh Vi (Kú Bơ), the first and only Vietnamese Sommelier to be recognized in the top 50 influencers in the global wine industry by the Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards, left an indelible impression on me from our first encounter at the Saigon office. Amidst the lively chatter of the office, Vi’s intense focus stood out. She remained silent, completely engrossed in her work.
“Are you usually this quiet, Vi?” I asked out of curiosity.
“It depends,” she replied curtly.
Reflecting on that brief exchange, I now find it both amusing and insightful. Vi’s silence stems from her selective engagement; if a topic doesn’t pique her interest, she remains reticent. However, if the subject is wine, she can talk from dawn till dusk.
Speaking of Vi’s passion for wine, there’s little I need to elaborate. For sommeliers, wine runs through their veins. What sets Vi apart is her rare dedication to a work philosophy centered on focus and excellence. She embodies the principle of relentless pursuit of perfection, accepting her imperfections but constantly striving to achieve outstanding results in whatever she undertakes.
Many consider her overly demanding. I must admit, Vi’s exacting nature is real—she refuses to compromise with those who don’t share her serious approach to work. Yet behind this stern exterior lies an incredibly kind colleague, friend, and mentor, always willing to lend a hand.
I recall the day Vi decided to leave the company to study in France. I was genuinely concerned about the event management sector. Though Marketing oversees it overall, the Sommelier is crucial, the soul of the events. There was no immediate replacement within the company. In the six months before her departure, Vi spent considerable time mentoring me, ensuring I could confidently handle events in her absence. Even from France, she was always available, providing guidance whenever I needed it. Once, I posted a wine dinner menu with errors on the company’s Facebook page. Vi promptly messaged me, “Phương, the menu pairing is wrong. Please take it down immediately.”
Vi didn’t just assist me; she trained numerous young sommeliers who achieved high rankings in various competitions. Behind each top-placing student was Vi, a demanding yet supportive mentor.
Some of Khánh Vi’s notable achievements:
- The only Vietnamese Sommelier in the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Wine & Spirits 2023 by Women in Wine & Spirits Award (WINWSA).
- The first Vietnamese representative in the Best Sommelier of the World Competition by ASI in Paris, 2023.
- Top 10 in the All Japan Best Sommelier Competition 2023.
- Champion of the Valpolicella Wine Contest 2022 (Southern region).
- Runner-up in the Best Sommelier in French Wine 2016.
- Graduated with honors from the Erasmus Mundus Master’s program in Wine Tourism Innovation across three European universities: Rovira i Virgili University (Spain), Bordeaux University (France), and Porto University (Portugal).
- Certified Sommelier by the CMS program, currently pursuing the WSET Diploma in Hong Kong.
- Second-highest GPA in her Bachelor’s program at Hoa Sen University, majoring in Restaurant and Catering Management.
Khánh Vi currently serves as:
- Vice President of the Saigon Sommeliers Association.
- Lecturer at Hoa Sen University’s Vatel Program.
- Brand Ambassador for Valpolicella (Italy) and Australian wines.
- Founder of Vietnam’s first Natural Wine Bar, NOB-Natural Wine Corner.
