Timothée Rousselin, the dynamic manager of RuNam, boasts over 15 years of expertise in the food and beverage industry. Hailing from Paris, he embarked on an adventurous journey to Vietnam, driven by a desire for new opportunities and a deeper cultural connection. Timothee’s passion for storytelling and his commitment to understanding local traditions have crafted a distinctive dining experience that beautifully celebrates the richness of Vietnamese heritage.
Can you share your journey of how you became the manager of RuNam and what motivated you to take on this role?
After spending 15 years in the food and beverage industry in Paris, I found myself seeking new challenges, and new horizons. Like many people, I wanted to broaden my horizons by pursuing a profession that could be practiced anywhere in the world. There was a realization that the world was full of opportunities, patiently waiting to be explored. The food and beverage market is in a constant need for passionate individuals, regardless of geography. I had heard from various customers that Asia was the place to be, particularly Southeast Asia, with Vietnam at the forefront. I thought it would be wise to arrive in a country experiencing rapid development; and as the country grew, so too could my career. I arrived in December 2018, posted my resume on several websites, and had my first interview with Runam d’Or in February 2019. My first day at the new job was February 13th, just a day before my birthday. Fast forward to today, I have now been working at this beautiful 19th-century French colonial house for over five and a half years.
You talked about learning to communicate with the locals in Vietnamese. How has this influenced your relationship with the Saigonese community?
Learning to speak Vietnamese has allowed me to connect and empathize with our guests on a deeper level. Building relationships with customers is fundamental in this industry. During my time in art school, I learned how to create and explain concepts; and now I have found ways to apply that knowledge to a restaurant setting, conveying compelling stories about our the concept and products that we offer. Effective storytelling requires understanding your audience. The Vietnamese are exceptionally friendly and supportive, especially when they see someone with genuine interest and passion in their culture. I recall reading that “Tiếng Việt là trái tim của văn hóa Việt Nam” (“Vietnamese is the heart of Vietnamese culture”). When you’re embraced by the community, you feel like you belong, as a part of a family; and within that family, there is stability — an essential component for any business.
How important do you think social media is for modern restaurants, and what strategies do you use to engage with your audience online?
As we say in France, “Il faut vivre avec son temps” — you must live in the moment. Today, the Internet enables us to forge connections even from a distance. Personally, I believe that humanity has an innate desire for narratives, as explored in Yuval Noah Harari’s remarkable book “Sapiens.” Social media provides us with the tools to maintain true, deep connections with our guests— something I came to fully understand during the COVID pandemic. These platforms allow us to weave longer and lingering stories with our audience. They all have their unique standards: TikTok is casual, fun, and offers engaging content aimed at younger people; Facebook caters to families and formal information; while Instagram is perfect for middle-aged audiences and more professional posts.
Can you describe the storytelling aspect of RuNam and how it connects to Vietnamese heritage?
The name RuNam is an amalgam of the phrase “Lời ru nước Nam”, the lullaby of Vietnam.” Our menu beautifully reflects the specialties from different regions of Vietnam—North, Central, and South. We also collaborate with top-tier local artisans like Minh Long and Đông Gia. The entirety of our products are presented in a familiar culinary and visual language, blending modernity with tradition.
You mentioned the gift department’s products for Tet and the Mid-Autumn Festival. What makes these items special, and how do they reflect Vietnamese culture?
These products turn into major events for everyone involved! They embody a harmony between long-lived traditional Vietnamese tales, culture and newer, modern perspectives. Each design tells a story— reflecting aesthetics and the products within, such as mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Each season introduces a new theme, a new story to be told; and for the past 5 years since my very first day, I can confidently say that the quality improves year after year, with an emphasis on its level of visual storytelling! It reminds me of Paris Fashion Week, with everyone at the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating new releases; and RuNam’s gift department does the same: creating suspense, all the way to its climax: the final reveal. These are not merely objects; they are true works of art.