Today, the Swiss Tourism for Sustainable Development Project (ST4SD) officially signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with two Central Vietnam’s leading training institutions: the School of Hospitality and Tourism – Hue University and Hue Tourism College. This partnership marks a pivotal step in internationalizing Vietnam’s tourism workforce. Both institutions are now official training partners for the Swiss Executive Hospitality Training (Swiss EHT) program.
As Vietnam pursues its 2030 Tourism Development Strategy—aiming to welcome 50 million international visitors—the industry faces a critical shortage of personnel trained to global executive standards. The Swiss EHT program acts as a strategic lever, transferring the renowned “Swiss touch” in hospitality excellence to Vietnam.
The program employs a sophisticated “blended learning” model specifically tailored for the schedules of working professionals. Participants will complete 80% of their coursework online through the learning management platform of the EHL Hospitality Business School, the world’s leading institution for hospitality management, while the remaining 20% consists of intensive, in-person instruction focused on practical application within a local context. At its core, the Swiss EHT curriculum distinguishes itself by embedding sustainability into every module. From operational management to strategic leadership, the program moves beyond traditional training to teach executive managers how to effectively balance economic profitability with environmental protection and community responsibility.
H.E. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Standing Vice Chairman of Hue People’s Committee, remarked: “Launching the Swiss EHT program in Hue marks a strategic milestone in aligning our tourism human resources with global standards. We are confident that this collaboration will elevate the competitive edge of Central Vietnam’s tourism industry while paving the way for the province’s long-term vision of green and sustainable growth.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Andri Meier, Deputy Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Switzerland in Vietnam, emphasized: “Through the ST4SD project, the Swiss Government is committed to supporting Vietnam in achieving its strategic tourism ambitions sustainably. The launch of the Swiss EHT program in Hue represents more than a transfer of knowledge, it will facilitate the growth of Hue’s training institutions into high-quality human resource provision hubs, helping Central Vietnam’s tourism improve its competitiveness on the global map, attracting investments and creating jobs.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Huu Tuan, Rector of the Tourism College, Hue University, added: “Partnering with the ST4SD project is an opportunity to improve the sustainability of the tourism industry with leading professional standards from Switzerland. Becoming a partner of the Swiss EHT program allows us to bridge the gap between academic theory and high-end industry practice. Our future managers will graduate with the international leadership mindset required to adapt to a rapidly evolving global market.”
Mr. Pham Ba Hung, Rector of the Hue Tourism College shared: “While a university education provides a solid academic foundation, Hue Tourism College focuses on translating international standards into practical management skills and direct operational excellence within the industry. The Swiss EHT program is a ‘gold standard’ solution that empowers management-level personnel in Central Vietnam to globalize their expertise while remaining on the job. We are committed to developing managers who are not only technically proficient but also highly adaptable to high hospitality standards, ultimately driving a breakthrough in operational quality for the region’s tourism sector.”
Continuing this momentum, the ST4SD and the EHL Hospitality Business School are currently conducting a Master Instructor training course in Hue this week. Thirty-three elite experts and lecturers from top hotels and universities have been selected to master Swiss training methodologies on hospitality management. This follows a successful inaugural session in Ho Chi Minh City in April 2025, ensuring a sustainable effect of expertise throughout the country.
The ST4SD project is funded by the Swiss Government and overseen by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), with joint implementation by Helvetas Vietnam and CRED Tourism & Agriculture Solution Consulting Company Limited.