Ho Chi Minh City, May 26, 2025 – The Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Department, in collaboration with the Swiss Tourism for Sustainable Development in Vietnam (ST4SD) project, officially announced the Swiss Executive Hospitality Training (Swiss EHT) Program for 2025–2027 in the city.
The event was attended by leaders and staff of the Tourism Department, ST4SD representatives, tourism accommodation representatives, and media. During the ceremony, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department, Ms. Bùi Thị Ngọc Hiếu, and the ST4SD Project Leader signed a joint plan, affirming their commitment to advancing tourism development in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam.
The Swiss EHT program, funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and led by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), implemented by HELVETAS Vietnam and CRED, addresses the urgent need for high-quality human resources in the tourism and hospitality sector in Ho Chi Minh City, especially in post-pandemic recovery.
In 2024, the city’s tourism sector achieved remarkable results, with over 6 million international visitors (up 20% from 2023), 38 million domestic tourists (up 8.6%), and total tourism revenue of VND 190 trillion (up 18.8%). For 2025, the city aims to welcome 45 million domestic tourists, 8.5 million international visitors, and achieve tourism revenue of VND 260 trillion. However, the sector faces challenges, including a shortage of high-quality human resources.
To bridge this gap, ST4SD partnered with EHL Hospitality Business School, a leading Swiss hospitality management school, to develop a tailored training program for Vietnam. The program is divided into three levels:
- Foundations Level: Covers communication, hygiene, sustainable operations, and customer service skills.
- Intermediate Level: Focuses on departmental management, hotel etiquette, and cross-cultural communication.
- Advanced Level: Targets senior managers, developing sustainable leadership, HR management, and advanced customer service skills.
Each course lasts one month, combining online learning on EHL’s digital platform with four days of in-person training at 3–5-star hotels or suitable facilities. The program plans to train 400–500 participants through 20–25 classes over three years, with the first classes starting in July 2025.
Funded through social contributions, the program ensures effective implementation. The Tourism Department will manage registrations from accommodation facilities, coordinating with ST4SD to select and assign participants. For 2025’s pioneering classes, selected participants will receive scholarships from ST4SD.
Program Details:
- Participants:
- Tourism officials in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Employees at accommodation facilities, nominated by their employers, with labor contracts and payroll records.
- Course Duration and Schedule:
- Start: July 2025
- Format: 1-month courses, combining online and in-person training.
- Training Content:
- Module 1: Overview of sustainable tourism and hospitality operations.
- Module 2: Verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Module 3: Customer service overview.
- Module 4: Hygiene, health safety, and sustainable practices.
- Scholarship Eligibility (100% tuition coverage) for 2025:
- College degree or higher.
- At least 2 years of supervisory or management experience in tourism services.
- English proficiency at B1 level or above.
- Employed at businesses committed to improving service quality and sustainable development.
- Commitment to applying learned knowledge in practice.
- Registration:
- Online registration by June 10, 2025, via the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Department website or the official enrollment link (in Vietnamese).
- Certification Requirements:
- Minimum 70% score on online assessments.
- Completion of in-person assessments, including tests, group, and individual assignments.
At the event, Mr. Olivier Messmer, ST4SD Project Leader, stated:
“The Swiss EHT program is a key initiative by the Swiss Government, reflecting our long-term commitment to sustainable tourism development in Vietnam. We expect it to deliver high-quality professionals, elevating Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism on the global stage.”
Ms. Bùi Thị Ngọc Hiếu, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department, added:
“High-quality human resources are the foundation for sustainable tourism. I believe the Swiss EHT program will create a generation of internationally qualified tourism professionals, significantly contributing to the city’s tourism growth.”
Contact for Registration and Inquiries:
Mr. Lý Nhật Lâm
Officer, Accommodation Management Division
Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Department
Phone: 0936617771
Website: http://sodulich.hochiminhcity.gov.vn/