Lifestart Foundation Workshop

Viet

Visiting the Lifestart Foundation Workshop

The not-for-profit Lifestart Foundation Workshop is the perfect place to look for fair-trade gifts when visiting Hoi An. The gift shop and workshop sells unique hand crafted products that make perfect gifts for special occasions. You can purchase exclusive and unusual souvenirs that cannot be found anywhere else in Vietnam. At the gift shop you can purchase a variety of items including original jewellery, funky reversible denim handbags, vases made from chopsticks, knitted scarves, hand painted t-shirts and the ever popular Lifestart Foundation sock creatures. You can also meet some of the individuals supported by the Lifestart Foundation Workshop and see the care that goes into making each and every product. A visit to the Lifestart Foundation gift shop and workshop is a guaranteed hassle free environment, all visitors are welcome to browse at their leisure and enjoy complimentary a  tea.

How the Workshop Began

It all started when a small group of local women living with disabilities in the Hoi An area joined together with Lifestart Foundation to form a special workshop. The workshop is now a fantastic success due to the hard work and determination of these women, as well as the dedicated team of volunteers who have supported the workshop both from home and during visits to Hoi An. The workshop began as a place for disabled women. The need for the workshop to expand and be inclusive rather than exclusive was realised. It now welcomes those with and without disabilities, young and old, male and female.

How the Workshop Works

The workshop provides an environment where members are empowered to earn a sustainable income through making handmade arts and crafts. Each item is individually made by members of the workshop and the profits from the sale of the products go directly to the workshop members to provide a sustainable income and sense of independence. A percentage of the sale price is paid back to Lifestart Foundation to cover ongoing running costs.

LongLife Natural Body Products

At the workshop you will also have the opportunity to purchase LongLife Natural Body Products which have been handmade by workshop members using high quality natural ingredients from Australia. The body products are scented with 100% pure essential oils to leave your skin feeling great and your senses revived.

All money raised from the sale of these will go towards helping people living in challenging situations in Vietnam to become self-sufficient. They are made under license from Crusoeden Body, Australia and are both gentle on your skin and the environment.

Come to Visit us at 77 Phan Chau Trinh

If you are traveling to Hoi An please be sure to pop in and visit, or if you are not able to visit Hoi An you can also purchase products from our Online Store. You can download our brochure (PDF) which includes a location map. This is also available for download in French, German, Italian , Spanish and Vietnamese.  Our location map is shown below or you can download a copy to print and take with you.