Socialist Republic of Vietnam

1. General

Family

You can’t understand the Vietnamese until you first understand the importance of the family. If you want to make a good relationship with a business partner or win a contract from other competitors, you should know what is in the Vietnamese mind. As in many other Asian countries, family is the foundation of the Vietnamese society. Many families have 3 generations living under one roof. Today, however, more and more couples are choosing to move into their own homes. (And more can afford to do so) it is traditional for a married couple to take care for the man’s parents, subsequently, it is very important to have a son. If there is only one son, he and his wife must live with his parents. If there are no sons, one of the daughters may remain unmarried and take care for her parents.

Decision-making is a family affair. As Vietnamese friend explained. “In your country, when you turn 18, you can make decisions for yourself.” In Vietnam, when a person is 40, if his parents are still alive, he must ask them. Little wonder things change slowly there.

Vietnam people use their own language, Vietnamese. Vietnam culture is rather passive compared to American. Although verbal communication is the primary way to communication, Vietnamese also utilize a non-verbal way of communicating. For example, when a boss is upset at employees, he or she will communicate this anger with his or her facial expression.

Vietnamese attitude and outlook is somewhat optimistic. They believe that tomorrow will be a better day. Also the sense of self and place in society is not the type who wants to rule the world. Being that is quite modest in their society and if given the change to move higher, they would modestly do so.    

2. Clothing

Ao Ba Ba

Ao Ba Ba is the stereotypical black silk pajamas. Although Ao Ba Ba can be any color. Worn by both men and women in the southern countryside, particularly the Mekong Delta. Mostly women who are in business jobs also wear Ao Ba Ba in the cities.

4. Communication to Business Time Schedule

Communication to time schedules depend on individual. But in business, Vietnamese people usually come to the meeting place 10 minutes before and they also respect you to come before the time because they believe that promise to be on time schedule means you respect others.

5. While Talking and Listening

In general, Vietnamese women are very social; therefore they enjoy having people around, thus less space around them. On the other hand, Vietnamese men are non-social. They would rather mind their own business and carry on with their works.

6. The Gift to Person

Gift giving is not just reserved for special occasions; in fact the Vietnamese will find any excuse to give a gift! Gift giving is a very common practice in both social and business settings. Meet a new business partner? Give him a gift! Making a contract? Buy the boss a gift! You made a contract? Buy the boss another gift! Virtually any public holiday is an occasion to exchange gifts. Gifts need not be elaborate, a book, pen, food, tea, wine and liquor are common gifts. In business, when meeting a new client, try a bottle of Johnny Walker, or a carton of 555 cigarettes. That will works in your business.