Ho Chi Minh City, March 24, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), the International Conference “Modern Housekeeping Management” was successfully held, attracting significant attention from the domestic and international hospitality management community.

The program was organized by the Vietnam Executive Housekeepers Association (VEHA), under the Vietnam Hotel Association, in collaboration with Food & Hospitality Vietnam (FHV).

 

The event was honored to welcome Ms. Nguyen Thanh Binh – Deputy Head of Accommodation Management Division, Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Ms. Cao Ngoc Lan – Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Tourism Association; Ms. Do Hong Xoan – Chairwoman of the Vietnam Hotel Association; representatives from Housekeeping Associations of Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines; along with more than 250 delegates including General Managers, hotel managers, and VEHA members from across the country.

 

 

Delegates posing for a commemorative photo 

 

In her opening remarks, Ms. Do Hong Xoan emphasized: “The future of the hospitality industry lies not only in technology or investment, but in the quality of people and the mindset of managers. Today’s conference serves as a platform to update industry trends, connect knowledge, and most importantly, to trigger change—an indispensable factor in modern hotel operations amid increasingly intense competition.”

 

 

Ms. Do Hong Xoan delivering the opening speech

 

Macro Perspective and Net Zero Strategy

 

Entering Session I with the theme “Hospitality Industry Trends in Vietnam and Worldwide,” the conference quickly shifted into an in-depth academic discussion with strategic insights. The session opened with a presentation by Ms. Nguyen Thanh Binh – Deputy Head of Accommodation Management Division, Vietnam National Authority of Tourism. From growth figures and market expansion to challenges in quality management and service standardization, her presentation not only outlined the current landscape but also delved into the industry’s core issues, particularly the inevitable trend of Green Growth aligned with the Government’s Net Zero targets. This positions the hospitality industry in a new role—not merely as a service sector, but as a critical component in the national sustainable development strategy.

 

 

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Binh sharing at the conference

 

The message was clear: accommodation establishments must transform from optimizing energy consumption and waste management to adopting environmentally friendly operational models. This is no longer optional but has become a mandatory standard for survival and competitiveness in the future.

 

Market Forecast and Transformation Mindset

 

Continuing the macro narrative, the conference moved into market data analysis with a presentation by Ms. Oxy Ong – Sales, South & Southeast Asia STR, Costar Group. Leveraging access to global data, she delivered a comprehensive overview of Vietnam’s hotel performance in 2025, including occupancy rates, average daily rate (ADR), and key revenue metrics.

 

 

Ms. Oxy Ong – STR, CoStar Group presenting at the conference

 

Where Vietnam’s hospitality industry stands within the region, what drives its strong growth, and what opportunities lie ahead were addressed by Ms. Oxy Ong, alongside strategic forecasts for the 2026–2030 period, providing valuable insights for attendees.

 

Sharing a best practice case study, Mr. Truong Dinh Dong – General Manager of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Resort – delivered an impressive presentation on “transformational thinking in modern hotel operations,” highlighting highly effective and practical outcomes.

 

 

Mr. Truong Dinh Dong – General Manager of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Resort

 

Technological Innovation and Process Automation

 

One of the highlights of Session II was the showcase of new products and technologies bringing together advanced solutions from reputable brands such as Karcher Vietnam, Vietsolutions Group, A&J Textile Vietnam, Smart Scent Vietnam, Starvian, and IDSV – Pest Control. These innovations not only enhance labor productivity and service quality but also deliver outstanding guest experiences.

 

 

Mr. Le Phi Long - Product Supervisor cum Sales & Product Trainer at Karcher Vietnam introducing new products and technologies

 

 

Mr. Luong Thanh Nam – CEO of Vietsolutions Group presenting new solutions

 

 

Ms. Nguyen Thu Ha – CEO of A&J Textile Vietnam sharing at the conference

 

 

Ms. Quynh Anh – Founder of Eco-life Smart Scent presenting scent technology solutions

 

 

Mr. Tran Tien Manh – Operations Director of IDSV Vietnam sharing insights

 

Technology Driving the Future of Housekeeping

 

In Session III, themed “Modern Housekeeping Management,” the atmosphere intensified as discussions focused on digital transformation. The session opened with a keynote by Mr. Nguyen Tuan Ngoc – Head of Housekeeping Department at Saigon Tourism College, who provided a comprehensive and practical perspective on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in hotel operations management.

 

 

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Ngoc – Head of Housekeeping Department, Saigon Tourism College

 

The key message emphasized that in the digital era, competitive advantage no longer lies in scale or resources, but in the ability to apply technology flexibly and effectively. Housekeeping—once a silent operational department—is now becoming central to this transformation.

 

Human Resource Solutions and Future Trends

 

Expanding on the themes of technology and transformation, the conference addressed one of the most pressing challenges in the hospitality industry today: human resources. Bringing a regionally grounded perspective, Ms. Niyom Jueajan from the Thailand Housekeeping Association shared valuable international experience on technology adoption, robotics integration, and multi-skilled workforce development strategies.

 

 

Ms. Niyom Jueajan – Thailand Housekeeping Association sharing at the conference

 

Beyond introducing advanced operational models, her presentation directly tackled critical bottlenecks faced by many hotels: labor shortages, rising personnel costs, and increasing service quality expectations. She emphasized that the solution does not lie in increasing headcount, but in restructuring workforce capabilities developing multi-skilled employees who can adapt flexibly to new technologies and processes.

 

Notably, the integration of human resources and technology from housekeeping robots and smart management systems to automation tools is considered the key to enhancing operational efficiency while maintaining service standards. These insights provide not only references but also actionable directions for Vietnamese hospitality businesses in restructuring their workforce.

 

Panel Discussion: When Five-Star Operations Meet Future Trends

 

The highlight of the program was the panel discussion titled “5-Star Housekeeping – Operational Reality and Future Trends,” which energized the conference with active engagement from all participants.

 

Moderated by Mr. Nguyen Hoang Anh Phi – Deputy General Manager of Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel, the panel featured distinguished speakers including Ms. Niyom Jueajan, Mr. Nyoman Sugiarta (President of the Indonesia Housekeeping Association), Ms. Le Thuy Lien (Executive Housekeeper – RIXOS Phu Quoc Resort), and Ms. Laarni Dela Merced Caralian (Philippines Housekeeping Association), offering a multidimensional perspective that combined practical operations with regional strategic insights.

 

 

The discussion addressed highly relevant issues: how to maintain five-star standards amid labor shortages, the extent to which technology can replace housekeeping processes, and the balance between automation and the human touch an essential element of hospitality service.

 

Speakers candidly shared real-world challenges, from peak season operational pressures and workforce training to balancing costs and service quality. Future trends were also highlighted: housekeeping will increasingly be data-driven, operate under lean models, and shift from “cleaning” to “experience creation.” The session concluded with a shared understanding that housekeeping will no longer remain behind the scenes but will become a core factor defining a hotel’s standard and identity.

 

Concluding the conference, Mr. Nguyen Quang – Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Hotel Association – delivered the closing remarks on behalf of the Organizing Committee, acknowledging the valuable contributions of speakers and experts while emphasizing the conference’s role as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and timely updates on industry trends.

 

 

Mr. Nguyen Quang - Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Hotel Association delivering closing remarks

 

The conference can be seen as a “golden opportunity” for hospitality leaders to reassess operational practices and explore highly applicable solutions to enhance housekeeping efficiency an increasingly strategic department in shaping guest experience. From a broader perspective, the event also contributed to redefining industry thinking: future hotel operations must go beyond process optimization, embracing a harmonious integration of technology, people, and sustainability. This underscores that the value of the conference extends beyond the event itself, serving as a catalyst for innovation and enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnam’s hospitality industry in its long-term integration and development journey.

 

 

Conference overview

 

Going beyond the scope of a thematic conference, “Modern Housekeeping Management” has vividly portrayed the dynamic transformation of Vietnam’s hospitality industry in a new era. Housekeeping is no longer a backstage function but is steadily moving to the forefront playing a pivotal role in shaping guest experience and service standards, where technology, people, and core service values converge to create lasting hotel brand value in the new era.

 

Below is the link to the event photo gallery: EVENT PHOTOS 24.03