Proper Vietnamese business etiquette is essential to gain new partners and clients in the Vietnamese business community. Your Vietnamese colleagues communicate directly and when you share their cultural behaviors it demonstrates that you are respectful and worthy of respect and that you are indeed worthy of partnership. Using proper business etiquette will demonstrate both your admiration and familiarity of Vietnamese cultural practices and your ability in the business world.

1. Foreign Staffing, Inc.

2.  Proper Vietnamese business
etiquette is essential to gain new
partners and clients in the
Vietnamese business community.
 Your Vietnamese colleagues
communicate directly and when
you share their cultural behaviors
it demonstrates that you are
respectful and worthy of respect
and that you are indeed worthy
of partnership.
 Using proper business etiquette
will demonstrate both your
admiration and familiarity of
Vietnamese cultural practices
and your ability in the business
world.

3.  In Vietnam, a country rich in cultural
heritage, personal respect is tantamount
to life itself.
 In that sense of avoiding shame and
humiliation, the Vietnamese are
dedicated to protecting a person’s status
or sense of dignity.
 Never insult or tell off a Vietnamese
colleague. If a contact should feel a
sense of lost status, lost sense of dignity, or
that proverbial “lost face” because of an
error on your part, you will certainly lose
the contact.
 When meeting with a new person, shake
hands.
 If a woman does not offer her hand, be
sure to bow your head slightly.

4.  Be aware that some Vietnamese
people shake with two hands.
 Always take your Vietnamese
colleague’s lead.
 Two-handed shakes occur with the left
hand resting on top of the right wrist
Address colleagues by Mrs. or Mr. and
then the given name.
 Vietnamese names start with the last
name, followed by the middle name
and finally the first name.

5.  Consider hiring an interpreter as many
Vietnamese will be more comfortable using
their native language rather than English.
 Even so, anytime a foreigner is willing to take
the time to learn just a few native words it is
greatly admired. Xin Chao (pronounced
“seen chow”) translates to “hello”.
 To best create the success for your business
you need to cultivate these relationships.
 Keep in mind that the first meeting is an
opportunity for your Vietnamese colleagues
to get to know you and for you to get to know
them.

6.  Because of the cultural nuances in this
ancient far east country, when a third
party can introduce you and act as a
reference it is always better.
 Your Vietnamese colleagues will be more
likely to conduct business with someone
they trust.
 Be sure to go that extra mile and impress
your Vietnamese colleagues by providing
a Vietnamese translation of all pertinent
documents.
 Present business cards in Vietnamese and
English and be sure to use both hands to
demonstrate respect when you exchange
cards.

7.  Truly and thoroughly look at your
colleague’s card before
respectfully putting it away.
 Be aware that presenting business
cards is an important ritual in the
Vietnamese business world.
 Cards are exchanged at the
beginning of a meeting.
 Remember that when you translate
your written materials into
Vietnamese you are showing high
regard for your Vietnamese
colleagues.

8.  Be punctual as your Vietnamese
colleagues will arrive on time and they
will expect you to do the same.

9.  Business is a win or loss to the Vietnamese.
 Your Vietnamese colleagues may try to get the
best deal for their interests, even if it means
slowing down the decision making process so
be patient.
 Remember to allow the most senior member of
the company to be the first to enter a room. I
 n addition, it’s the oldest member of a party
who is first to be seated at restaurants,
respecting their status of authority.
 If you are invited to a colleague’s home for
dinner, please wait to be shown where you are
to sit.

10.  Always dress conservatively.
 Suits for men and dresses or suits for
women.
 During the warmer months, it is
acceptable to leave the suit jacket at
home.
 Business attire in the southern part of
Vietnam is more casual, suit jackets are
not required.