HA NOI – The Swiss Executive Hospitality Training (Swiss EHT) program was officially introduced on 10thSeptember 2024 in Hanoi.
This initiative is part of the Swiss Tourism for Sustainable Development in Vietnam (ST4SD) project funded by the Swiss Government to enhance the quality of local human resources and contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tourism sector.
The ST4SD project plays an important role in fostering collaboration between the École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), the world’s leading Swiss hospitality management school, with Vietnamese training institutes to develop this program.
The Swiss EHT program is designed for mid- and high-level management staff as well as experienced professionals aiming to advance into managerial positions. The leaders, who participate in the program, will integrate sustainable tourism practices into their business operations and train entry-level employees on sustainability standards.
For 130 years, EHL has been a leading force in shaping the hospitality industry, nurturing generations of visionary leaders with unparalleled hospitality competencies. EHL’s unique approach, rooted in experiential learning, mirrors the renowned Swiss dual approach, seamlessly blending theory and practice with the development of both soft and hard skills,” Mr. Jean-Baptiste Berguerand, EHL’s Senior Consultant, said. “This human-centric philosophy underpins the Swiss EHT program, laying a solid foundation for building a robust talent pipeline for Vietnam’s thriving hospitality and tourism industry.”
During the pilot period, four local institutes representing a range of educational offerings, have been selected: National Economics University in Hanoi, IBH Academy in Da Nang city, Van Lang University, and Saigon Tourism College in Ho Chi Minh city.
So far, 17 lecturers have taken part in training sessions to practice standardized skills under the instruction of Swiss experts. They received EHL’s certificates and became master instructors of the Swiss EHT program in Vietnam. The first cohort of students, with an expected intake of 15 to 20 per institution, is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024.
At the event, leaders of Helvetas Vietnam and the Center for Rural Economy Development (CRED) signed a memorandum of understanding with representatives of four training institutes.
Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass added: “Our aim is to share Switzerland’s deep-rooted experience and expertise in hospitality training, supporting the tourism sector in Vietnam to continue thriving in a sustainable and high-quality manner. The Swiss EHT program will provide Vietnam’s future hospitality leaders and managers with the tools to deliver exceptional service while maintaining a commitment to sustainability.”
The ST4SD project is funded by Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and co-implemented by Helvetas Viet Nam and CRED in the 2023-2027 period. The project aims to develop Vietnam’s tourism industry more sustainable and inclusive.