ASEAN's 6th largest economy, Vietnam is a country in the throes of change, benefiting from strong growth that rose to 7% in 2019. Its geographical position as a crossroads at the heart of ASEAN, has enabled it to base its economy on exports and makes it a vital market for international companies.

Source : Country profile Business France

Good to know :

Language Spoken : Vietnamese
Local Currency : Vietnamese Dong
Capital : Hanoi

The conditions for undertaking a Business France V.I.E in Vietnam

Do you meet the International Young Talent Program conditions of eligibility ?
So you can try your luck for a V.I.E assignment in Vietnam! Your application will be examined.

The conditions for undertaking a Business France V.I.A in Vietnam

To go to Vietnam as a V.I.A, you must fulfil the conditions for accessing the V.I.A.
The administration that is recruiting you is responsible for your residence permit. 

The cultural work codes in Vietnam

Vietnam is a country with strong traditions that you will need to know and respect in order to integrate. So prepare your visit well!  

Although the country is changing rapidly, Vietnamese society remains steeped in codes and traditions.

Two concepts dominate both private life and business:

First of all, the notion of “face” found elsewhere in Asia, which touches on the reputation, honour and social status of the individual. Concretely, this concept means never losing or causing others to lose face, but also “giving face” to the other person, or valuing them in public. It is a culture of compromise and respect that you absolutely must honour.  

The other essential dimension is the constant search for harmony and balance in your life and in your relationships with others. In particular, it involves strict rules of politeness and a search for consensus. As a result, pay attention to errors of interpretation, particularly when it comes to saying “yes” which, for a Vietnamese person, does not always mean agreement.  

To make a good impression, take care with your presentation! Always be punctual and remember to anticipate your movements, as road networks are saturated. Always wear correct clothing because Vietnamese people are acutely aware of status. Finally, make sure you respect the hierarchy and your elders. While the decision-making process is not always very clear, Vietnam remains fundamentally a feudal society in which everyone has strict rights and duties and where ideas and decisions emanate from the top.

Things that may surprise you in Vietnam

- Vietnam is a very long country! It stretches over 1,800 km and barely 100 km separates the Vietnamese coast from the border with Laos.

- Reunified in 1975, there are still stark cultural differences between the north and south of the country. You will notice this in particular due to linguistic differences: the language is not spoken in the same way and certain words have absolutely different meanings. To talk about a “glass”, for example, we say “cốc” in the North and “ly” in the South. This leads to a lot of confusion...

- Vietnamese cuisine, due to its quality and diversity, is the equal of that of other countries: Pho soups, spring rolls, Banh Mi sandwich, gỏi cuốn spring rolls... Each region has a very specific and distinct cuisine. In short, there is plenty for you to enjoy!

- You will be surprised by the great contrast that exists between the large cities and rural regions of Vietnam! The explosion in economic growth and the dynamism of the population in urban areas accentuates this clash of cultures.

- You thought the Vietnamese were quiet and discreet? Think again! Karaoke, loud music, horns and other “fun games” with friends are essential elements of life in Vietnam.

- If you are moving to Hanoi, don’t forget to bring your coat! Although a tropical destination, a cold and wet winter reigns in northern Vietnam.

- Finally, all over the country, there are innumerable scooters. Legend has it that there are even more scooters than inhabitants!