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“First impression, gold impression” is the motto of Jolie Siam, a reception service organizer founded by 25-year-old Le Thanh Tu, who aims to raise the bar for the reception industry in Vietnam.
The country’s first impressions of Jolie Siam have been rather golden after the company provided its services for the Miss Universe signing ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City last November. The group has since been contracted to host various receptions at the actual beauty pageant on the beaches of Nha Trang this July. The contest is a landmark event for Vietnam as the country seeks to establish its image and reputation on the international stage. The Miss Universe Contest is owned by Donald Trump, who will be invited to the show. If he attends, all services will have to be immaculate to please the persnickety billionaire in hopes of avoiding his famous catch phrase, “You’re fired.” Tu received an MBA in Lyon France in 2006.
Inspired by what she learned, she established Jolie Siam as a French-style reception service aiming to bring Western style service together with the smiles and traditional hospitality of Vietnamese people. “We began without a clear road ahead of us,” says Tu. “Now we build that road every step of the way. We move forward with a strong belief in the huge potential of reception services here.” It’s been somewhat difficult for Tu to convince people that her operation is useful and necessary. Receptions are often thought of as simple and not demanding in Vietnam, but Tu wants to up the ante. Tu began confidently after her experience in France. She was enthusiastic, but knew she would have to adjust herself to the Vietnamese working environment. Still, she was not immune from disappointment along the way. “Heavens!” she says, reminiscing about some early moments of self doubt. “Do I really have the ability? Do I have the skills? Is this idea workable here in Vietnam?” But with the encouragement of friends, Tu pushed on and held a very successful signing ceremony for Miss Universe. On Tu’s laptop is an orange and red sticker that reads “Jolie Siam’s goals for 2008: training reception operations experts, establishing online resources to introduce the reception service career, standardizing reception services and opening a school to teach the career.” Two of the four aforementioned goals will likely be reached this spring. Jolie Siam’s website is beginning to post information on reception service careers and the company will open its new school in March. The school will be the first such reception services training provider in Vietnam. /thanhniennews.com/features/?catid=10&newsid=36245
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