Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 70% of the staff working at Menrva hotel in Hai Phong were laid off. Some of them had to find a new job. When the pandemic eased and tourism activities resumed, only 30% of the workers returned to work for the hotel.

Training for tourism workers

Nguyen Thi Thuy Chi, who is in charge of human resource at the hotel, said: "The tourism sector recovered dramatically during the May Day holiday and last month but human resources for the tourism sector have been in a serious shortage. We have implemented several incentives to recruit workers but income is their main concern. Offering high salary is difficult for businesses which have resumed their operation. We hope that we can find workers who understand and share with difficulties in post-COVID."

Many companies have had to recruit new workers who do not have much experience and skills and then provide them with in-house training. Tran Van Ngoc, Deputy Director of Hai Phong’s Department of Tourism, said the Department has worked closely with the Vietnam Administration of Tourism and training establishments to organize training courses for hotel staff and tourism workers.

Ngoc said: "We have organized 3 training courses for hotel staff to provide them with knowledge and skills. We are working with travel companies to help them recruit more staff and increase competitiveness. We have also cooperated with training schools in other provinces like Lao Cai, Lang Son, Son La and Hoa Binh province to recruit more workers for our services."

A boat tour of Hon Dau, Hai Phong

Ms. Tran Nu Ngoc Anh, Director General of the Dong A Hotel Group and expert in hospitality training, says her group has worked with Quang Ninh, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, and Thai Nguyen to organize training courses on tourism staff standardization.

"After the COVID-19 pandemic, many professional tourism workers have quit and found new jobs while the newly-recruited ones do not have much experience. Training staff working in hotel and tourism services is of great importance.' said Ngoc Anh.

The strong recovery of the tourism industry requires the improvement of service quality. Training and re-training for hotel staff and tourism workers, finding new way to approach the market, and renewing tourist products are expected to help the tourism recover sustainably.