This is not your average love story

It was at IHTTI where Daniel Chanteloup and Gia Tran met and became close friends. Even though Daniel and Gia worked in different countries after they graduated, they continued their friendship. Both Daniel and Gia were working in Vietnam for three years in different organisations when an opportunity came up for Gia to work at the same organisation as Daniel. They have now been married for around two and a half years and have a 2-year-old son.

Where are you working now and what are your roles?

Daniel: I am now the Assistant Villas Manager at the Furama Resort Danang, managing all aspects of 110 three- to four-bedroom villas, including guest relations, maintenance, housekeeping, landscaping and transportation to name a few.

Gia: I’m the Manager of the Ariyana Convention Centre (which is managed by Furama Resort Danang), in charge of the overall operations, facilities and sales.

What is it like to work in the same organisation as your spouse?

Daniel: In this industry it is not uncommon to be doing long hours for several days in a row so it’s nice that we have a chance to see each other at work. It does however require certain personalities to be able to do so and I don’t think that everyone should be working with their spouses.

Gia: It is certainly interesting and fulfilling. What was interesting is that some colleagues did not even know we were spouses so sometimes it was like “surprise!” Companies like ours actually encourage spouses to work together; especially when it comes to long working hours.

“

It is really reassuring when your spouse shares the understanding and at same time can give you professional and personal advice.”

”

What advice would you give other industry practitioners who work with their spouses?

Daniel: Keep your lives separate. What I mean is that discuss only work related subjects at work and other subjects at home.

Gia: I think it is essential to work in a different department or section from your spouse.

How do you balance family life and work life?

Daniel: We just do our best.

“

The company certainly is very supportive of this and we can normally always balance our hours so that, for example if Gia has a very time consuming event, I will be able to leave work for the evening and vice versa.

”

Why did you choose a career in hospitality?

Daniel: My dad worked in the hospitality industry for a long time and eventually dragged me into it when I was 15 years old to work at a catering company. So, when I was approached by the IHTTI representative in Finland at an education fair during my last year in high school, it was an easy decision to make.

Gia: Between the second and final year of my Bachelor’s Degree, I spent a year in Singapore working for NEC Asia in Sales and Marketing department. The job provided me with the exposure of organising events at hotels.

“

I became very fond of the dynamic nature and the service culture of the industry, so I decided to pursue a career in the hospitality

”

What would you say are the key traits a person should have to excel in the hospitality industry?

Daniel: Passion, common sense and a never-ending interest in learning will get you far.

Gia: Devotion, integrity and the sincere dedication to be of service for guests.

What do you enjoy most about your jobs?

Daniel: Leading people and seeing them achieve and exceed the goals you have set for them through training and guidance.

Gia: I love the diversity of the workforce, the market and helping clients realise their dreams.

---

Daniel graduated from IHTTI School of Hotel & Design Management in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Hospitality & Tourism Management.
Gia graduated from IHTTI School of Hotel & Design Management in 2011 with a Postgraduate Diploma in International Hospitality & Tourism Management.
Program Details		Dates & Deadlines		Entry Requirements
Application Procedure   Fees