Ho Chi Minh City – On the afternoon of March 26, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), the Vietnam Professional Housekeeping Championship 2026, organized under the direction of the Vietnam Tourism Association by the Vietnam Hotel Association directly implemented by the Vietnam Executive Housekeepers Association (VEHA) in collaboration with SES Vietnam Exhibition Services Company within the framework of the 13th Food & Hospitality Vietnam Exhibition, officially concluded with an emotional closing and award ceremony.
Refined Elegance – Creativity Leading the Way in Floral Arrangement & Table Setup
If the first day of competition was a rigorous “race” of speed, alongside the bed-making and themed bed decoration challenges showcasing creativity and technical mastery, the second day introduced a completely different dimension through the floral arrangement and table setup competition more refined, more emotional, and deeply artistic.
Here, Housekeeping transcended technical execution to become a language of aesthetics and guest experience. Every detail was meticulously crafted, every composition thoughtfully designed, reflecting each team’s unique story, cultural identity, and creative signature. Each table setting became a “living work of art,” where emotion, sophistication, and service mindset blended seamlessly to deliver a holistic experience contributing to elevating modern hospitality standards.
No longer confined to conventional frameworks, teams maximized their creative space, expressing individuality through every detail.
From flower selection, color coordination, and material handling to lighting design and focal point creation every element was carefully calculated to form a harmonious, refined, yet impactful overall composition.
Some table settings embodied the elegance and formality of international diplomatic banquets, while others reflected an Asian-inspired aesthetic—soft, profound, and rich in cultural identity.
This diversity in creative thinking transformed the competition area into a vibrant “live exhibition,” where aesthetics, artistry, and innovation in hospitality converged.
With remarkable creativity, meticulous attention to detail, and significant investment in preparation, the teams contributed greatly to elevating the quality of what is considered the largest and most impressive housekeeping competition in Vietnam. More than just a competition category, this segment became the artistic highlight of the entire event, redefining the image of housekeeping professionals not as behind-the-scenes staff, but as “silent artists” who craft premium guest experiences.
From the Head Judge’s Perspective: Contestant Quality Exceeds Expectations
Evaluating the overall professional quality of this year’s competition, Mr. Nguyen Quang – Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Hotel Association, Chairman of VEHA, and Head Judge – shared: “Looking back at the entire journey of the Vietnam Professional Housekeeping Championship 2026, what remains is not merely numbers or results, but the spirit of dedication, professionalism, and the desire to prove oneself from 23 teams across the country. From high-pressure speed and technical challenges to tasks requiring critical thinking, coordination, and resilience, each team demonstrated a clear picture: Vietnam’s housekeeping sector is evolving—faster, more professional, and more resilient. Particularly in artistic segments such as bed-making, bed decoration, floral arrangement, and table setup, contestants did not simply complete tasks—they created service products of international standards.”
According to him, the consistency in quality among teams made the judging process more challenging than ever, as the margins between teams were extremely narrow. This is also a positive signal, reflecting the serious investment by hospitality businesses in training and developing housekeeping teams.
Closing & Award Ceremony: Honoring the Most Outstanding Teams
On the same afternoon, the closing and award ceremony took place in a formal, emotional, and proud atmosphere. After two days of intense competition, the perseverance, professionalism, and aspiration for excellence of all teams were rightfully recognized. The moment the winners were announced was not only a personal honor for each team but also a milestone for the development of Vietnam’s housekeeping sector.
First Prize
Team: Renaissance Riverside Saigon
The highest honor of this year’s competition was awarded to a truly outstanding team that demonstrated consistent excellence across all competition categories. Beyond technical proficiency, the team impressed the Jury Panel with modern service thinking, flexible problem-solving abilities, and meticulous attention to detail. They are considered a model representation of a new generation of professional, resilient, and globally ready housekeeping talent.
Mr. Vu The Binh – Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association presenting the Certificate of Merit to the First Prize winner
Second Prize (03 Teams)
Teams: Hoiana Resort & Golf; Rex Hotel Saigon; Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An
The three runner-up teams delivered a closely contested performance, demonstrating strong capabilities and competitive spirit. Each team showcased distinct strengths from solid technical skills and consistent speed to outstanding creativity in decoration segments. Their precision and professionalism left a strong impression on the judging panel.
Ms. Do Hong Xoan – Chairwoman of the Vietnam Hotel Association presenting Certificates of Merit to the Second Prize winners
Third Prize (06 Teams)
Teams: Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang; The Yacht Hotel by DC – Ha Long; Caravelle Saigon Hotel; Pullman Danang Beach Resort; Song Lam Waterfront Hotel Ha Tinh; Dream Dragon Resort Hai Phong
The six third-prize-winning teams made a strong impression with creative, flexible, and promising performances. Although they did not reach higher rankings, they demonstrated solid professional capabilities and a clear spirit of continuous improvement. These teams represent a promising talent pool for the future of the industry.
Encouragement Awards
Teams: Loi Lai International Hotel; Paddington Hotel Ha Long Bay View; Sofitel Saigon Plaza; Danang Marriott Resort and Spa; The Reverie Saigon; Novotel Saigon Centre; Nalod Da Nang Hotel; Muong Thanh Luxury Da Nang Hotel; The Five Resort & Golf Hoang Gia Ninh Binh; JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon; Wyndham Danang Golden Bay; Alba Hotels Hue; Dusit Princess Moonrise Beach Resort Phu Quoc
Although not ranked among the top winners, the teams receiving Encouragement Awards delivered commendable performances. Their dedication, eagerness to learn, and passion for the profession left a meaningful impression, spreading positive values and reinforcing the importance of professional pride an essential foundation for the sustainable development of the housekeeping sector.
The award ceremony concluded with resounding applause, marking not only the end of the competition but also the beginning of a new journey where lessons, experiences, and inspiration will continue to be shared, nurtured, and developed across hotels and teams nationwide.
Closing One Season – Opening Greater Expectations for the Future
As the Vietnam Professional Housekeeping Championship 2026 concludes, what remains is not only the recognition of outstanding achievements but also a comprehensive picture of the transformation within Vietnam’s housekeeping sector. The competition has gone beyond a professional playground to become a true industry forum, where capabilities, mindset, and service standards are rigorously and inspiringly evaluated.
The success of this year’s competition also reflects a positive reality: Vietnam’s hospitality workforce is undergoing structured investment and significant transformation in both skills and mindset. The consistency in contestant quality, professional competition spirit, and ability to approach international standards signal the emergence of a new generation—confident, adaptable, and ready for global integration.
In this context, the competition is not only about honoring excellence but is also expected to become a “strategic launchpad” for the industry. With its expanding scale, strong support from professional organizations and leading enterprises, and orientation toward regional integration such as ASEAN platforms, the Vietnam Professional Housekeeping Championship is set to play a vital role in standardizing skills, enhancing competitiveness, and elevating Vietnam’s hospitality image on the global stage.
A season has come to an end, but its impact extends far beyond the award stage. It is the spread of professional spirit, a catalyst for innovation, and a reaffirmation of a long journey ahead one that aims to elevate Vietnam’s hospitality service standards toward professionalism, sustainability, and cultural identity. Along this journey, the “silent heroes” of housekeeping will continue to lead—quietly yet proudly—driving Vietnam’s hospitality industry further on the regional and global tourism map.
Partnerships Behind the Success
The Organizing Committee sincerely acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Vietnam Tourism Association, the Vietnam Hotel Association, local tourism associations, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, and Departments of Tourism across provinces and cities for their collaboration in delivering the program.
Special recognition goes to the active participation of hotels and resorts nationwide, and the contestants those who pushed beyond their limits to deliver professional and inspiring performances.
The event also received strong support and coordination from Food & Hospitality Vietnam (FHV), along with sponsors such as Kärcher Vietnam, Vietsolutions Group, A&J Textile Vietnam, Hanvico, IDSV Pest Control Japan, Eco Life – Smart Scent Vietnam, Maite Tea, Hoan My, Crystal Place Hotel HCMC, among others whose contributions were instrumental to the success of the program.
Below is the link to the Day 2 photo gallery: COMPETITION PHOTOS 26.03