Relationship in Business in Vietnam

- Any business relationship with Vietnamese partners becomes interpersonal shortly. In contrast to Western business relations, which remain purely professional and neutral, even after a long period of time, relations in Vietnam immediately become social.

- The first which is considered very important to build a good relationship is seniority.

Seniority is very important to the Vietnam especially if you are dealing with a State owned or government body. Instead of addressing the other party as Mr or Mrs, it is always appropriate to address by his designation for example Chairman Triet, Director Dung or Manager Hung.

When giving out business card or brochures, make sure you start with the most senior person before moving down the line. When giving out a business card or receiving one, ensure that you are stretching out the card with both hands. Remember to face the card you are giving out in a manner such that the receiving party gets it facing him correctly.

At the negotiation or meeting, it is advisable to take seats according to the rank or position.

=== Saving Face:

So Saving face is considered a very important concept to Vietnamese people. You must give the appropriate respect according to rank and seniority. Similarly, you also need to know where to sit in a meeting room or a dining table because sitting position in Vietnam is accorded accordingly to rank, importance and seniority.

On the contrary, in the United States, money is a key priority and monetary aspects tend to dominate most arguments. Financial success may be admired more than anything else, especially if it is hard earned rather than based on inheritance. Status and personal honor play a smaller role. ‘Saving face’ and many of the social formalities that can be vitally important to other cultures carry little significance here.

In the country’s business culture, the respect a person enjoys depends primarily on his or her achievements and to a lesser degree, education. Since age and rank...