Italian man's career blossoms in Vietnam
Through a youthful interest in Asian culture, Gargiulo Ciro came to Vietnam to pursue a variety of interests and wound up having a great deal of success along the way.
Years ago Italian Gargiulo Ciro came to Vietnam from Naples to study acupuncture and Tai Chi.
He only expected to improve in the fields of martial arts and holistic medicine that he'd studied in Europe.
Today, however, Gargiulo has vastly exceeded those expectations.
He lives in Ho Chi Minh City and is a practicing acupuncturist, Tai Chi instructor, and cloning researcher, not to mention part-owner of a number of Italian restaurants in Vietnam and China.
When it was time for Gargiulo to enter university, he decided to study acupuncture at Ecolife School in Milan, Italy.
While learning about this branch of medicine he became interested in Asian culture.
As Gargiulo continued his study of acupuncture in France, he began learning Tai Chi with a Vietnamese instructor.
Speak of his study of acupuncture and Tai Chi, Gargiulo comments, “Both share a common basis in Asian philosophy. They share the duality of yin and yang in the body, spiritually and physically. Both are helpful for people suffering from stress because of the fast pace of modern life.”
The more Gargiulo learned about Asian culture the more he immersed himself in it.
He came to Vietnam to do his doctoral thesis in Asian philosophy through the University of Milano Italia.
After he completed his thesis he returned to Italy.
Gargiulo couldn't stay away from Asia for too long though, and shortly thereafter he came back to Vietnam to continue studying acupuncture.
He spent the next five years studying at the Traditional Medicine Institute located at number 235 Nguyen Van Troi Street in HCMC's Phu Nhuan District.
There he received his Master's degree in Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture.
Wanting to stay in Vietnam and apply his skills, Gargiulo began practicing acupuncture from his home.
Quickly he acquired a regular list of foreign and Vietnamese clients.
As his reputation grew he was asked to work at the International Family Medical Practice located at 34 Le Duan Boulevard in District 1.
Gargiulo comments, “It's quite busy, but I am happy to have a chance to help people recover from their illnesses.”
Despite his busy schedule at the clinic, Gargiulo had time to open the Italian restaurant Good Morning Vietnam on Pham Ngu Lao Street as part of an Italian investment group.
It was while working to establish the restaurant that Gargiulo met his wife, and now the mother of his two children.
After the restaurant became a success, Gargiulo and his partners franchised the ‘Good Morning Vietnam' Italian restaurant concept, opening branches in Nha Trang and Hoi An.
Gargiulo parlayed his success by opening La Hostaria in downtown HCMC earlier this year, while at the same time opening two Italian restaurants called Boungirono in China.
Gargiulo said that in the near future he and his partners plan on expanding their ‘Good Morning Vietnam' franchises to Vung Tau, Mui Ne, and additional locations in HCMC.
On the surface, it would appear that Gargiulo's work in acupuncture and the restaurant business are disconnected, however, he would disagree.
As he explains it, “A good meal helps people maintain and improve good health, and so does acupuncture. Treating the sick and serving good food provide the same purpose of promoting good health.”
It is for the goal of promoting good health that keeps Gargiulo working so diligently.
When he isn't treating the sick or managing his restaurant investments he keeps plenty busy.
He teaches Tai Chi. He spends time with his family. He even found time to get a second Master's degree, this time in Immunology Genetics.
He is currently studying cloning at the University Training Center for Healthcare Professionals in HCMC.
Gargiulo is not just a man of many ambitions, he is a man of many accomplishments.
His friends worry that he is going to get worn down if he continues at this pace, but Gargiulo only worries about having nothing to do if he is forced to slow down.
By That Son - Thanh Nien - November 2, 2007.
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