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Good news for Vietnam′s returning hospitality graduates

Hospitality graduates rejoice, for Vietnam’s luxury hotel industry is in the midst of a boom.

That is, according to official statistics from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, which found that the first half of 2016 saw a substantial increase in both foreign and domestic tourist revenue.

Tourism is a huge industry in Vietnam. From the stunning highlands of Sa Pa, to the indescribable Ha Long Bay and the beating heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam continues to enthrall and delight visitors from around the world. In fact, this year Vietnam has welcomed some 4 million international guests, a 21.3% year-on-year increase. The Vietnamese themselves also travelled widely within the country, with 32.4 million domestic tourists, an increase of 22.1%.

In July, consulting firm Grant Thornton Vietnam reported that occupancy rates in Vietnam’s four and five-star hotels had also increased slightly to 81.9%. This is encouraging, since 2015 saw a slight decrease to 81%.

For Trinh Minh Giang, CEO of VietManagement and organiser of Top Hotels Premier Day 2016 which was held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, it is positive news. “In the past, upscale hotels and resorts were predominantly occupied by foreign travelers,” he said. “These days, we’re seeing more Vietnamese tourists, who may travel as couples, in big groups of friends or families. This means the industry needs to adapt its offerings of four and five-star accommodation.”  

For the Banyan Tree Lang Co’s sales manager, Nguyen Ngan Giang, Vietnam could be the next Thailand as overseas travellers continue to yearn for the “exotic and less travelled” destinations in ASEAN. Many visitors to Thailand already yearn for a more authentic experience, far from Koh Samui’s crowded beaches and the tourist hotspots of Bangkok’s Khoa San Road. For these travellers, Vietnam should provide the perfect launch pad.

As tourism in the country increases, so do the number of tailored trips and specialised services. Travel needs to diversify in order to satisfy the growing consumer demand.

Tran Minh Ngoc, sales area director of Mia resort Nha Trang, commented that Vietnamese tourists often travel in the summer, while foreign guests normally go on holiday during the summer and Christmas periods. Moreover, the growing market for domestic guests requires the industry to adapt its travel models to suit more than just Western backpackers.

“Vietnamese guests also tend to travel in bigger groups compared to overseas tourists, thus Mia Nha Trang Resort recently launched a five-bedroom villa to accommodate groups of more than ten tourists,” said Ngoc.

Carmen Marienberg, general manager of Almas Oasis Long Hai, stated that its new Santorini-style resort will introduce a range of new services in 2017 to better suit the new demographic of guests.

Marienberg said: “Our new offers range from weddings, anniversaries, private BBQ parties and photoshoot packages to kids programmes, exploration tours, meetings packages and spa packages. We want to have something for everyone to enjoy.”

This is excellent news for travellers, but also for graduates who can now expect a bounty of opportunities upon their return. The long-term effect of the boom will also create roles in marketing, PR, construction… the list is endless. To find out what roles are already out there in Vietnam, check out our job board today.