Vietnamese work culture insights 2025
A rapidly growing economy and a dynamic, diverse work culture are factors that help Vietnam attract foreign workers.
Meanwhile, for expats, understanding the work culture is the first step to help them build good relationships with colleagues and achieve career success in Vietnam.
In this article, S4B Vietnam will introduce to readers the outstanding features of work culture in Vietnam, the challenges that expats may encounter and some useful advice to help them integrate quickly and effectively into the Vietnamese office environment. Let’s follow along!
1- Vietnamese work culture insights
1.1- Respect for superiors and elders
Vietnam, respect for superiors and elders is a very important part of office culture. You can recognize Vietnamese work culture insights through the way employees greet, address each other and their working attitude in companies. As an expat, you should maintain a polite attitude, pay attention to the opinions of experienced people and show respect in work communication situations.
Vietnamese Work Culture – What’s it Like to Work in Vietnam?
1.2- Teamwork spirit
Vietnamese people highly value community and cooperation in the office environment. At work, teamwork is not only a requirement but also an opportunity to build good relationships with colleagues.
To facilitate the working process, expats should focus on listening, sharing ideas and supporting colleagues to create an effective working environment.
1.3- Communication style
Communication culture in Vietnam emphasizes politeness and the use of honorifics. In meetings or work discussions, listening carefully and observing the responses of the other person is very important. Therefore, expats need to adjust their communication style to suit each context and audience.
2- Challenges that expats may encounter when working in Vietnam
Vietnamese work culture insights can cause expats to encounter the following typical challenges:
2.1- Language and communication barriers
Although English is widely used in international businesses, most daily communications in Vietnam still mainly use Vietnamese. This makes it difficult for expats to convey ideas or understand job requirements if they are not proficient in the local language. In addition, differences in word usage and expression can also cause unwanted misunderstandings during communication.
2.2- Differences in working style
Vietnam talent acquisition strategies are highly flexible but also value compliance and consensus within the group. This is very different from the autonomous or hands-on working style in some other countries and expats will have to adjust to adapt to the new environment as well as ensure work performance.
2.3- Labor regulations and laws
Labor regulations and laws in Vietnam are quite complicated and difficult to understand for expats, especially those related to visas, work permits and work benefits.
If expats do not understand these, they may get into legal trouble or miss out on the opportunity to work under the best conditions.
3- Tips to help expats quickly integrate into the working culture in Vietnam
To quickly integrate into the Vietnamese work culture insights, expats can refer to some of the following tips from Uptalent:
3.1- Building a network of relationships
Expats can join social media groups such as “Expats in Vietnam” or networking seminars in their industry to connect with colleagues and the community. In addition, participating in activities or conversations outside of work hours is also a way to increase trust and connection with people.
Understanding Business Etiquette And Work Culture In Vietnam
3.2- Learn basic Vietnamese
Learning Vietnamese is an effective solution to help expats improve their communication skills as well as show respect for local culture.
You can start by communicating with basic sentences such as “Hello”, “Thank you”, or “How much money?”, … In addition, you can also improve your language skills through Vietnamese courses specifically for foreigners at centers.
3.3- Participate in extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities such as short trips or sports and art activities are a great way for expats to relax as well as integrate faster into the working culture in Vietnam. Many companies in Vietnam will organize training sessions on Vietnam talent acquisition strategies or internal procedures for employees. Therefore, expats should take advantage of this opportunity to better understand the working style and orientation of the organization.3.4- Proactively learn about colleagues
Expats should take the opportunity to communicate and ask colleagues more about work, personal life, hobbies or customs in Vietnam. This shows interest and builds close relationships with colleagues in the company.
Expats should pay attention to how to dress at the office, always maintain a polite and courteous attitude in communication, avoid behaviors or words that can be misunderstood or cause discomfort.
Understanding and integrating into the working culture in Vietnam not only helps expats develop their careers but also brings deep and meaningful experiences. Understanding the Vietnamese work culture insights and being ready to Vietnam talent acquisition strategies.
Hopefully what S4B Vietnam has just shared can help expats quickly integrate into the working culture in Vietnam and become more mature in both work and life. Wishing you all success!
S4B Vietnam
- Address: Unit 701B – 701C, Tower A, Handi Resco Towers, 521 Kim Ma Street, Giang Vo
Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam - Tel: +84 24 3974 4181
- Email: service@s4b.com.vn
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