During Marriott International’s Global Customer Appreciation Week in early November 2025, the University of Economics and Finance (UEF) strengthened its strategic partnership with one of the world’s leading hospitality giants. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in bridging academic excellence with industry expertise, creating pathways for Vietnamese students to access international-standard training and career opportunities in the service sector.
UEF Expands Strategic Partnership with Marriott International Vietnam Hotels
On November 3, 2025, UEF hosted a comprehensive working session with senior leadership and management representatives from Marriott International’s hotel chain network across Vietnam. The meeting took place within the framework of Marriott International Vietnam Hotels’ Global Customer Appreciation Week, spanning from November 3-7, 2025.
This gathering served as a crucial bridge between academic institutions and industry leaders, simultaneously opening new avenues for collaboration in training, internships, and developing high-quality human resources for the service sector.
High-Level Industry Representation Demonstrates Commitment
The Marriott International delegation featured an impressive roster of senior executives from across Vietnam’s hospitality landscape. Notably, the group included Mr. Hai Huynh (Jason), Director of Sales at Four Points By Sheraton Danang, and Mr. Hung Tran, Sales Manager at Danang Marriott Resort & Spa, Non Nuoc Beach Villas. Moreover, the delegation comprised Ms. Huyen Mai from JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon, Ms. Uyen Tran from Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, Ms. Van Than from Nha Trang Marriott Resort & Spa on Hon Tre Island, and Ms. Tuyen Nguyen from Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collections.
Representing UEF were Professor Dr. Eric Jose Olmedo Panal, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, and Master Nguyen Thi Lan Chi, Head of Hotel Management Department.
Real-Time Market Intelligence Shapes Academic Programs
During the open working session, Marriott partners provided comprehensive updates about their hotel and resort system operations throughout Vietnam. Furthermore, they engaged in detailed discussions regarding current recruitment needs and ongoing training programs, internship opportunities, and young management development initiatives.
This foundation proves essential for UEF to understand market realities, enabling the university to adjust and develop training programs aligned with business needs, helping students gain practical learning opportunities and experience international working environments.
The collaboration ensures students can access potential career positions while still attending lectures, creating a seamless transition from academic learning to professional practice.
Formalizing Future Partnerships Through Strategic MOUs
One of the session’s central focus areas involved discussing the formal signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between UEF and new hotel units under Marriott International. This aspect represents a crucial element in strengthening bilateral cooperation relationships while opening pathways for implementing specialized field study programs, intensive internships, and inviting business experts to teach directly at the university.
Marriott representatives expressed high appreciation for UEF’s collaboration potential, particularly in coordinating high-quality human resource training within the Tourism-Restaurant-Hotel sector. Additionally, the working session helped UEF gather updated information about Marriott’s operational network and new development strategies in Vietnam, thereby shaping effective collaboration plans aligned with international service industry development realities.
Building on Years of Successful Collaboration
Over recent years, UEF has successfully implemented numerous collaborative programs with hotel and resort units under the Marriott group in Vietnam. These initiatives have provided students with professional internship environments, earning high evaluations from businesses regarding their skills, work ethic, and professional competency.
This latest meeting clearly demonstrates UEF’s strategy of connecting training with business enterprises, pursuing practical, international, and sustainable educational models. Unlike traditional academic approaches, this partnership emphasizes real-world application and industry-standard preparation.
Global Standards Meet Local Excellence
With long-term development orientation, UEF anticipates that its partnership with Marriott International will not only bring practical benefits to students but also contribute to improving training quality for Vietnam’s service sector human resources. This collaboration aims to meet global standards in the era of international integration, positioning Vietnamese hospitality professionals competitively in the global marketplace.
The strategic alliance between UEF and Marriott International Vietnam Hotels exemplifies how academic institutions can successfully align with industry leaders to create meaningful opportunities for students. Through formal MOUs, specialized training programs, and direct industry expert involvement in curriculum delivery, this partnership promises to elevate Vietnam’s hospitality education standards while providing students with invaluable international exposure and career pathways. As both organizations continue expanding their collaboration, the initiative serves as a model for sustainable, practical education that meets the evolving demands of the global service industry.
