Diageo Vietnam Marks a Two-year Journey of Supporting Hospitality through the “Learning for Life” Program

Recently, Diageo Vietnam, in partnership with the Danang Vocational Tourism College and Hanoi Tourism College, Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Kenan Foundation Asia, proudly announces the successful completion of its two-year “Learning for Life” (L4L) training program in Da Nang and Hanoi.

During 2024 and 2025, this initiative has empowered hundreds of hospitality students with vital soft skills and practical industry knowledge, underscoring Diageo’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive, skilled workforce within Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

The program conducted in Vietnam reflects Diageo’s global effort to drive sustainable growth and inclusiveness through education. The company’s ambition is to provide hospitality and business skills to 200,000 individuals in 2030. To date, Diageo has supported 98,000 people worldwide. The program “Learning for Life” reached over 36,000 individuals across 36 countries and territories in fiscal 2024, with women making up more than 50% of participants. In Vietnam, in 2025, the program trained 25 lecturers and more than 420 students, with more than 60% being female. A follow-up survey shows that most students found the training content engaging and creative, 95% found the course useful and helped them feel more confident in finding job opportunities.

The training programs and curriculum for both teachers and students were developed by industry and educational experts to focus on practical competencies such as bartending fundamentals, service and recommendation techniques, effective communication, teamwork, time management, and personal branding.

Associate Professor Dr. Le Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Department of Science, Technology, Training and Environment, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, remarked: “We highly value the efforts and contributions of the “Learning for Life” program in reforming training methods and strengthening vocational skills in the tourism and hospitality sector. The close collaboration between academia, international organizations, and businesses has led to an effective and practical training model. The Ministry commits to supporting the continued replication of this model nationwide.”

Mr. Nguyen Anh Thi, General Manager of Diageo Vietnam, emphasized: “Through ‘Learning for Life’ program, we are honored to work alongside the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, young talents, opportunity seekers, and educational institutions to provide essential knowledge and nurture career-ready skills. This collaboration not only helps strengthen the local workforce but also contributes to broader socioeconomic development. The program’s official adoption by the college stands as a strong testament to its practical value and long-term impact."

The program’s success has prompted Danang Vocational Tourism College to officially integrate the ‘Learning for Life’ program into its official education curriculum, ensuring that future generations of students will continue to benefit from the training structure and soft skills originally introduced through the Diageo-led initiative.

Mr. Richard Bernard, Executive Director and Country Representative of Kenan Foundation Asia Vietnam, stated: “Kenan has successfully implemented the 'Learning for Life' initiative for many years in Thailand. When bringing it to Vietnam, we embraced it as a journey of learning and adaptation to the local vocational education landscape. After two years of implementing with Diageo Vietnam and strong support from the Ministry and colleges, we are proud that the program has demonstrated its viability and sustainability. Kenan remains committed to scaling this model across the country.”

Mr. Nguyen Duy Quang, Principal of Danang Vocational Tourism College, emphasized: “The project has equipped students with four essential skill sets: Digital Skills, 21st Century Skills, Job Readiness Skills, and Bartending Skills, empowering them with the confidence to integrate into the workforce. Notably, our faculty members have not only delivered training but also evolved into core trainers, adopting modern teaching methodologies. As the implementing institution, we take great pride in witnessing the remarkable transformation of both students and lecturers. This initiative not only fosters contemporary skill development but also bridges the gap between education and the practical needs of the tourism and hospitality sector. It marks a significant step for our college in aligning theoretical learning with industry practice, positioning us as a high-quality training hub capable of meeting global integration demands. We remain committed to supporting this effort and to promoting the spirit of lifelong learning throughout our community.”

“Learning for Life” is a global initiative by Diageo designed to remove barriers to employment by providing business and hospitality training to underrepresented groups. In Vietnam, it represents a key step in delivering on Diageo’s Spirit of Progress 2030 agenda, which aims to promote positive drinking, champion inclusion and diversity, and pioneer grain-to-glass sustainability.

Following the success of the program in Da Nang, Diageo Vietnam remains committed to strengthening its efforts to nurture local talent and contribute to the long-term development of Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality industries.

Vietnam’s tourism sector requires nearly 40,000 new workers annually, yet the current labor market can only supply between 15,000 and 20,000. Among the existing workforce, just 9.7% hold a university degree or higher, while the majority possess only intermediate or vocational-level qualifications. Moreover, only 43% of workers have received formal training in tourism services—underscoring the urgent need for programs that help build professional capacity and elevate service standards across the industry.

Source: Vietnam Business Forum