If your company uses an outsourcing provider from across the globe, there could be a difference in culture and workplace etiquette. In Vietnam, the workplace culture and etiquette differ slightly to what you would expect. As a result, there could become a cultural barrier. However, there are so many benefits with outsourcing your business requirements and this should not be a reason to deter you! At Ascension 6, we know that working with different cultures may create a cultural barrier, but we want your experience with our teams to be completely seamless. It is our priority to train our staff to comply with international standards of service. In this post, we provide some insight into the workplace culture in Vietnam and how Ascension 6 bridges the cultural barrier. We ensure that none of these differences affect your outsourcing experience. Workplace etiquette and bridging the cultural barrier Punctuality Being 5 to 10 minutes late has become acceptable in Vietnamese working culture, but we at Ascension 6 ensure that our employees understand the importance of punctuality. Team building Most companies in Vietnam usually have budget for staff dinners, team building and sporting activities every few months to build trust between employees and management, in and out of the workplace. We at Ascension believe that team building should be strengthened every day. We don’t conduct extracurricular activities, but we focus on daily team working strategies, every day at the office. Nap time The nap after lunchtime is a cultural norm and is counted as part of the total working hours. It raises staff efficiency and helps employees return to work feeling refreshed and focused. We think this is such a useful tool to keep employees engaged and focused. We even have a dedicated nap room for this very purpose! Communication When writing names, you will notice that Vietnamese names start with the surname followed by the middle and then the given name. People are called by their given name, and often with the prefix Mr. or Ms. At Ascension 6, we understand that to communicate effectively we must follow the culture of our international clients. We address our customers by their first names only. Dress code The dress code in Vietnamese offices is a lot more casual than what might expect in Western workplaces because of the hot climate, especially in the South of Vietnam. People here only wear a suit and tie for important business meetings or special occasions. At Ascension 6 we allow our employees to dress in line with the culture here. Since we are working remotely it is more comfortable and allows our employees to work better. Should the occasion require more formal attire, then this will be encouraged. Annual leave and public holidays According to Vietnamese labour laws, employees must have at least 12 days of annual leave. Vietnam has 10 national public holidays. Tet holiday (Vietnamese New Year) is widely celebrated and respected in Vietnamese culture. Although the government provides for 5 official days of national holiday people usually take extra days from their annual leave during this time for an extended holiday. It is quite common for people to go to their hometowns during this period to spend time with family. We respect the Vietnamese cultures and traditions and our offices are closed over the government prescribed TET holidays. Bridging the culture barrier: What Ascension will do for you At Ascension 6 we understand that your company workplace needs consistency. We also understand that working with different cultures can lead to a cultural barrier being created. Outsourcing should not negatively affect your company’s goals. At Ascension 6 we align our workplace culture with your culture. We provide you the same service that you would get from an internal team. Therefore, we ensure that our staff are educated in international workplace etiquette. We bridge the cultural barrier that might arise from hiring staff from across the globe. You get all the benefits from outsourcing, and none of the stress.
