Coco Riverside Lodge is a family-owned business led by socially conscious CEO Mr. Hugh Le. Hugh established the lodge to give back to his hometown community of Trung Nghia, Vung Liem, using the skills he developed during 26 years in Saigon’s competitive tourism industry. Returning home in 2013, Hugh’s goal was to create a social enterprise that would benefit the people who raised and educated him.
A core aspect of Coco Riverside Lodge’s business model is reinvesting a portion of its profits into community projects, focusing on local development and education. Here are a few examples of how Hugh supports his community:
Food Assistance: The lodge provides essential food items like rice noodles and canned goods to local families in need, helping to combat hunger and malnutrition.
Educational Support: Scholarships are offered to local students, easing the financial burden of school fees on poor families. Additionally, funds from the lodge and donors have improved local schools by purchasing tables, chairs, and shelves.
Infrastructure Improvement: Contributions have been made to enhance local paths, benefiting both villagers and visitors who explore the area by bicycle.
Coco Riverside Lodge is committed to preserving traditional Vietnamese culture while promoting social and sustainable development. Visiting the lodge ensures that a portion of your payment supports the local community and its initiatives.
Thank you for considering Coco Riverside Lodge. We look forward to welcoming you and your family.
Sincerely
Management
OWNER
Hieu Le (Hugh Le) brings nearly 26 years of experience in the tourism industry to Coco Riverside Lodge. Born and raised in the area where the lodge now stands, Hugh moved to Vinh Long town with his family at age 11, and later settled in Saigon in 1996. After 28 years away, Hugh realized his long-time dream of returning to his roots to build the lodge on a serene piece of coconut land by the river. His goal is to offer visitors an authentic glimpse of countryside life and to create better job opportunities for local families beyond traditional farming.
Hugh’s wife, Khang, a former banker with 19 years of experience, now manages the lodge's accounting and assists with daily operations and reservations. They have two children, a 26-year-old son and a 19-year-old daughter. While their children reside in Ho Chi Minh City, Hugh and Khang stay at the lodge to ensure the best care and closely oversee its operations.
UNCLE 6 “Mr. CAP”
Everyone affectionately calls him “Uncle 6” (Chú Sáu)
Uncle 6, the youngest uncle of Hieu Le, is a key figure at Coco Riverside Lodge. Once employed in Vinh Long town, he returned home to care for his parents and inherited the family land, which now includes the lodge site.
At the lodge, Uncle 6 handles luggage, guides cycling tours, and captains boat trips. He stays nearby in the evenings to assist guests if needed.
He loves his role, enjoying guests' travel stories and their friendly interactions. Outside work, he spends his days mowing grass, farming, and gardening, often seen in work clothes after tours.
HIẾU & ÚT
Hiếu and Út, a dedicated husband and wife team, balance their roles at the Lodge with their family life. Parent of two, they live nearby, which helps them maintain a strong connection between work and home, enriching the Lodge's warm atmosphere.
Hiếu is deeply passionate about gardening, meticulously caring for the Lodge’s greenery and ensuring that the grounds are always pristine.
Út, the Lodge’s Chef, is the culinary heart of the operation. She excels in creating flavorful Vietnamese dishes and managing house-keeping tasks. Though she also has some gardening skills, her primary focus is on crafting authentic Vietnamese cuisine, delighting even the most discerning guests.
Together, Hiếu and Út significantly enhance the Lodge’s atmosphere, contributing to both the guest experience and the seamless operation of the property.
THÔNG & NHÂN
Thông, Hiếu's cousin, lives about a 5-minute ride from the Lodge with his wife, Nhân.
Nhân, who has worked at the Lodge for 9 years, handles reception duties, welcoming guests, managing check-ins and check-outs, and processing bill payments. Nhân is also an excellent Chef, known for her outstanding cooking.
Thông is skilled in electrical and water systems, providing maintenance and repairs as needed. He also helps with house-keeping, cooking, and operates a motorboat for groups. Additionally, he ensures all bicycles are tour-ready.
Both Thông and Nhân are honest, friendly, and always available to assist during your stay.
KHUYÊN & CHIẾN
Khuyên, affectionately known as Queen, has been with the Lodge since its opening 9 years ago. She lives nearby and warmly welcomes guests, offering them a taste of Vietnamese hospitality. Khuyên excels in cooking Vietnamese cuisine, cleaning and preparing rooms before guest arrivals, and ensuring everything is in order. She also loves gardening, caring for plants and grass. Additionally, she manages contact with drivers and guides, leading guests to the Lodge for check-in.
Chiến, Queen's husband, focuses on gardening, including the upkeep of coconut trees around the bungalows and their surroundings. He takes daily care of the vegetable garden, ensuring a steady supply of fresh vegetables for meals and cooking classes.
BA CHINH & BÉ NĂM
Ba Chinh and Bé Năm are a friendly couple living next door to Coco Riverside Lodge.
They assist with keeping rooms and areas clean and tidy, and help with cooking and setting up meals daily.
Always available for any request, they are happy to assist with any needs you may have during your stay.