Tourism sector prepares human resources for ASEAN integration

International tourists visit the one-pillar pagoda in Hanoi. (Source: VNA)

Vietnam’s tourism sector has been preparing its human resources in the event of the formation of the ASEAN Community that allows the free flow of labourers in the hospitality industry.

Speaking at a news conference in Hanoi on October 22, Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the ASEAN countries signed eight Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), including the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals (MRA-TP).

Sieu said the VNAT has disseminated information and documents relating to the MRA-TP at workshops in the north, central and south regions, on the VNAT’s information portal and via local tourism managerial agencies, travel firms, training establishments, central and local relevant agencies, as well as labourers.

Vietnam has sent suitable personnel to take part in training programmes organised by ASEAN to develop a pool of ASEAN Trainers and ASEAN Assessors for housekeepers, chefs, receptionists, and restaurant waiters.

The country has also involved in building and distributing guidelines on training and assessing tourism labourers and the curriculum for joint ASEAN tourism training courses.

The tourism sector has been developing a set of Vietnam Tourism Occupational Standards (VTOS).

Sieu said the MRA-TP opened up many opportunities but also posed challenges, requiring Vietnam’s tourism sector to be well prepared.

More information on the VTOS, the joint ASEAN tourism training course curriculum, and the guideline book on MRA-TP can be found at http://vietnamtourism.gov.vn .-VNA