Cover After becoming a mother—a time when women often face fewer promotion opportunities and must choose between career and family—Trinh Tran was appointed Deputy General Manager of Mia Saigon hotel.
After becoming a mother—a time when women often face fewer promotion opportunities and must choose between career and family—Trinh Tran was appointed Deputy General Manager of Mia Saigon hotel.
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Can a new mother advance in her career? A top female leader at Vietnam’s luxurious Mia Saigon hotel shares her insights.
Within Vietnam’s premium hospitality sector, where women in executive roles remain underrepresented, Trinh Tran’s journey to becoming General Manager of Mia Saigon Luxury Hotel is a compelling source of inspiration. Following a period of time living abroad, Tran returned to her homeland determined to pursue her professional aspirations, ultimately finding Mia Saigon Luxury Hotel to be the perfect alignment of her passion and opportunity.
With a sharp intellect and willingness to embrace risk, Tran has adeptly overcome challenges at her workplace, established a distinctive presence, and progressed along her career path. She was appointed General Manager in 2023, shortly after becoming a mother—a period when women often face limited advancement opportunities and difficult career-family tradeoffs. Trinh Tran’s path convincingly demonstrates that women who cultivate ambitious vision and persistent determination can still reach leadership positions in this competitive field. Beyond personal success, her story serves as a powerful testament to dismantling stereotypes and barriers, showcasing the distinctive strengths of women—resilience, fortitude, and the ability to recognise and seize opportunities.
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Trinh Tran, it’s wonderful to speak with you today. Within just a year, you’ve transitioned from Deputy General Manager to assume the role of General Manager—the top position at one of the city’s most distinguished five-star properties. How would you describe this professional evolution?
When I stepped into the General Manager role at Mia Saigon Luxury Hotel, my first concern was how to balance love for my professional life with family commitments, particularly as a new mother. Though all new beginnings present their challenges, I chose to view mine as an opportunity rather than a limitation. Being detail-oriented by nature, I found the initial months to be demanding, but this period prompted meaningful shifts in both my perspective and leadership approach.
I came to recognise that the human factor is the most important determinant of an organisation’s success. In taking on this new role, my focus has been consistently trained on my colleagues’ professional paths. Beyond their current performance, I’m deeply invested in their long-term growth. At Mia Saigon Luxury Hotel, where Vietnamese cultural influences are woven throughout our identity and our team is predominantly Vietnamese, we prioritise internal advancement—creating learning opportunities and promoting from within, even when candidates may still be developing certain skills. This philosophy not only fosters professional growth but cultivates lasting organisational loyalty.
My own experience is a good example of this approach. Vietnamese professionals are typically perceptive, intellectually curious, and adaptable. When provided meaningful opportunities in an environment they’re passionate about, they show a profound commitment and frequently exceed performance expectations. I’m dedicated to ensuring Mia Saigon not only offers initial opportunities, but creates an ecosystem where individuals feel inspired to develop their talents and build enduring careers with us.
Vietnamese people have a strong eagerness to learn, sharp adaptability, and a willingness to embrace new ideas. Given the opportunity, they demonstrate high commitment and achieve results beyond expectations.
Having accumulated years of experience in the hospitality sector, what management philosophy resonates most deeply with you?
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate that my supervisors have consistently prioritised both my professional development and personal wellbeing. This approach has profoundly influenced my leadership philosophy. I strive to extend the same comprehensive support to those on my team. My core belief is that when employees experience genuine care, they naturally develop deeper commitment and contribute to our collective growth.
I’ve discovered that my greatest challenges aren’t so much to do with life or management, but rather with how to thoughtfully navigate the specific complexities of the hospitality industry. My main focus lies in creating sustainable employment for our entire staff while fostering an environment that inspires continuous self-improvement.
One particularly innovative example at Mia Saigon is our establishment of the Culture Manager position. We deliberately design opportunities for staff to rotate through various departments, enabling them to discover new strengths, develop versatility, and build cross-functional expertise. This approach not only enhances individual capabilities but cultivates an atmosphere where learning is both motivating and professionally fulfilling. Most significantly, when team members recognise how the organisation’s success is linked with effective collaboration and mutual support, they will feel more secure in their own working environment.
I consider mental health to be paramount, and consistently work to cultivate an environment where everyone feels both emotionally secure and professionally empowered—which is particularly crucial during periods of economic uncertainty like those we currently face.
Above Mia Saigon
Above Mia Saigon
Mia Saigon
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Above Mia Saigon
Above Mia Saigon
Mia Saigon
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Given the current economic climate, what specific challenges do you see facing the hospitality industry? What distinctive strategies have you implemented at Mia Saigon Luxury Hotel to maintain market leadership in your segment?
The economic instabilities we face today have significantly reshaped income patterns, budget allocations, and consumer spending behaviours worldwide. When formulating our approach, I begin with a thoughtful analysis of our direct competitors—not to replicate their models, but to identify opportunities for meaningful differentiation in the guest experience.
How has your immersion in the luxury hospitality ethos affected you personally?
Working within the luxury sector has instilled in me a deep appreciation for distinctiveness and creative expression. Since joining Mia Saigon, I’ve found myself profoundly influenced by its sophisticated, feminine Indochine-inspired ambience, which has gradually affected my personal style and worldview. It has inspired my fashion sense and my thinking. The hotel’s philosophy—which balances strength with sophistication—has reflected on me personally. While I’ve always been decisive, I’ve now taken on a more nuanced grace and composure.
Whether an unexpected problem is about to happen or has happened already, I am always mentally prepared to face it. I try to analyse scenarios comprehensively, assessing risks and preparing solutions to minimise the impact on customers and products, preserving exceptional guest experiences.
I’ve also learnt to cultivate resilience and self-motivation. Professional life inevitably presents obstacles that demand decisive action; I’ve learnt that whenever my decisions don’t turn out as expected, there’s little use in dwelling on my mistakes. Life is always unpredictable, but our response ultimately defines both outcomes and personal growth.
Above Trinh Tran
Trinh Tran
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You’ve highlighted the concept of “luxury”—how do you define this, and what significance do you attribute to personalised service within the hospitality context?
In my perspective, authentic luxury transcends superficial glamour. It manifests through comprehensive care addressing both physical and emotional wellbeing, where every nuance is thoughtfully considered and refined. Personalised service forms the base foundation of truly luxurious experiences, creating environments where guests feel genuinely heard, valued, and satisfied that their investment has proved sound in terms of the service they receive.
We recognise that each guest arrives with their own unique stories. Our commitment lies in understanding these individual stories and crafting experiences that resonate on a personal level. To achieve this, we place the highest importance on the human factor. I firmly believe that the most critical qualification for hospitality professionals is that they be people of good character.
Challenges sometimes hide opportunities—it is up to us to seize them. After all, opportunities do not come often in life.
In your opinion, has the hospitality industry opened up more opportunities for female leaders to develop and affirm their roles?
I believe that across all industries, the influence of female leaders is becoming increasingly prominent, and the hospitality sector is no exception. At Mia Saigon, we are fortunate to have many talented women in leadership roles across our departments. Most of them have been with the hotel since its early days, growing within the organisation and advancing through dedication and hard work. As we celebrate Mia Saigon’s 5th anniversary on December 6th, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude when reflecting on this journey alongside my colleagues.
Vietnamese women possess both a deep sensitivity and an indomitable spirit. Today, they are independent, innovative, and proactive in shaping their own paths. From my own experience, I believe that what we need most is courage—the willingness to embrace challenges and the confidence to stand by our decisions. Within every challenge lies a hidden opportunity, and our responsibility is to recognise it, cultivate the qualities necessary to succeed, and take bold steps forward. After all, opportunities do not come often.
Article published from the original article in the print publication Tatler Vietnam, December 2024 issue
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Credits
Photography: Thạc Trường Giang
Location: Mia Saigon Luxury Hotel
