The SHTM has been invited by the Simon Charitable Foundation and the Robert Burns Hotel Group to support a social responsibility project involving the Hospitality School of Ho Chi Minh City (HSH), which is a not-for-profit project of the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs in Vietnam. The SHTM is helping the HSH enhance its training and education capability with the introduction of a new Housekeeping Training Programme.

The HSH is a vocational school for disadvantaged youth and street children from Ho Chi Minh City. All students are referred to it by local government authorities and other partner organisations. The school provides certified training leading to employment within the hospitality and catering business, and it currently conducts training for pastry chefs, Western chefs and table service. The HSH had 120 students in 2009 but can accommodate up to 200 students.

Professor Kaye Chon, SHTM Director, Dr David Jones, Associate Professor, and Dr Tony Tse, Assistant Professor and Director (Industry Partnerships) were in Ho Chi Minh City from 8 to 10 June to familiarise themselves with the HSH and its programmes. They met the HSH's Director, Mr Ta Vang Duc, and the teachers, and inspected the school facilities. The SHTM will support the HSH by giving advice on the design of model hotel guest rooms and curriculum development, and will also provide training for HSH teachers.

The SHTM's selection for this project is a testament to its internationally recognised programmes with quality staff. The School looks forward to working with the HSH in cultivating young talents for the hospitality industry and is hopeful that the project will benefit the industry in general and help raise the overall industry standard in Ho Chi Minh City.