Ho Chi Minh City – On the morning of March 25, 2026, within the framework of the 13th Food & Hospitality Vietnam Exhibition, the heat at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) came not only from the exhibition booths but also surged at the venue hosting the Final Round of the Vietnam Professional Housekeeping Championship 2026. The event brought together the finest hands in the accommodation sector, marking a significant transformation in standardizing and elevating Vietnam’s hospitality service quality.
Expanding Scale and ASEAN Aspirations
Held under the auspices of the Vietnam Tourism Association, organized by the Vietnam Hotel Association directly implemented by the Vietnam Executive Housekeepers Association (VEHA) in collaboration with SES Vietnam Exhibition Services Company, this year’s event carried a completely new level of scale and significance.
Participating in the Final Round, held from March 25–26, were the top 24 teams from 11 provinces and cities, who had outperformed more than 200 strong contenders in the preliminary rounds. They represent the elite, carrying the pride of over 1,000 hotels and resorts in the 3- to 5-star segments nationwide. The presence of leading hospitality brands such as JW Marriott, Sofitel, Novotel, Saigontourist, Vinpearl, and Muong Thanh serves as the clearest testament to the prestige and appeal of this year’s competition.
List of 24 finalist teams
In her opening speech, Ms. Do Hong Xoan – Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Hotel Association, and Head of the Organizing Committee – stated: “The Vietnam Professional Housekeeping Championship 2026 is a platform to honor the ‘silent heroes.’ This year’s theme, ‘Faster – Cleaner – More Professional,’ is not merely a slogan. We expect it to help shape new benchmarks and standards for accommodation service quality in Vietnam in the near future.”
Ms. Do Hong Xoan delivering the opening speech
On behalf of the Jury Panel, Mr. Nguyen Quang – Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Hotel Association and Chairman of VEHA, Head Judge – also shared words of encouragement with the contestants: “Stay calm – Be confident – Follow the rules – And demonstrate finesse in every detail. This competition is an opportunity for you to showcase your skills and professionalism. More importantly, see this not only as a competition, but as a journey of learning, networking, and self-development to a higher level.”
Mr. Nguyen Quang delivering remarks as Head Judge
To ensure rigorous professionalism and absolute fairness for a national-level competition, the Organizing Committee entrusted a distinguished Jury Panel composed of leading industry experts, including:
- Mr. Nguyen Quang – Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Hotel Association, Chairman of VEHA.
- Ms. Nguyen Thanh Binh – Deputy Head of Accommodation Management Division, Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
- Ms. Vo Ngoc Diep – Head of Accommodation Management Division, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism.
- Mr. Nguyen Hoang Anh Phi – Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Association.
- Mr. Do Ba Cong – Vice Chairman of VEHA.
The presence of representatives from state management agencies alongside top industry practitioners stands as a solid guarantee of the competition’s quality and credibility.
A Powerful Start
As soon as the applause from the Opening Ceremony faded, the competition arena became intensely focused. The atmosphere quickly escalated with a demanding competition schedule that left no room for compromise. With teams consisting of only two members, contestants were required not only to demonstrate speed but also perfect coordination.
At exactly 9:30 AM, the starting signal marked the beginning of Round I: Speed & Professional Skills Challenge. The Organizing Committee designed a highly strategic competition format, transforming daily housekeeping tasks into a multi-stage obstacle course, requiring contestants to push beyond their limits through five challenge stations:
Warm-up – “Cleaning Speed”: The audience was highly excited, cheering enthusiastically as contestants showcased impressive vacuuming skills—fast, precise, and without unnecessary movements.
Obstacle 1 – “Housekeeping Knowledge Challenge”: Immediately after the fast-paced start, teams had to switch to analytical thinking. This station tested contestants’ professional knowledge of the housekeeping field.
Obstacle 2 – “Pest Control Warrior”: Contestants demonstrated dexterity and skill to complete this challenge.
Acceleration – “Operational Coordination”: Teamwork is a decisive factor in both individual and collective success. Effective task allocation and coordination between the two members were key to overcoming this stage.
Final Stage – “Reaching New Heights Together”: The final checkpoint required precision and finesse to deliver a well-presented and impressive final product.
In the afternoon, the atmosphere shifted dramatically from intense and fast-paced to calm and meticulous with Round II: Bed Making & Bed Decoration. The competition arena transformed into a true artistic workshop.
With the skillful hands of housekeeping “artisans,” ordinary hotel beds were transformed into remarkable works of art. Perfectly stretched linens, crisp corners, neatly arranged pillows, creatively styled towel swans, and thoughtfully arranged rose petals all showcased refined aesthetics and the standards of five-star service.
The first competition day concluded, leaving behind a wide range of emotions. Sweat-soaked uniforms, tight embraces of relief and joy, and proud smiles of these “silent warriors” painted a powerful picture. The Final Round would continue into the second day (March 26) with equally thrilling categories.
Regardless of which team ultimately claims the championship trophy, the high-level, professional, and passionate competition itself stands as a powerful testament and a resounding victory for the aspiration of Vietnam’s accommodation industry to rise to new heights.
Below is the link to the Day 1 photo gallery: COMPETITION PHOTOS 25.03