Differences between Vietnam and American Culture in Business.

If you are an American negotiator and want to sign the trade contract with Vietnam, you definitely have to understand about the Vietnamese people that come from the culture which is completely different with American’s.

Vietnam people don’t take risk; they make decision carefully and slowly, and they much focus on the relationship. Everything with them is step by step. To make a decision, they take much time to get information about their partners and their opportunities as much as possible. They like to meet their partners a few times before beginning any negotiation. They like to know much about the others, even each negotiator, build relationship, then. After understanding and feeling truth their partners, they will take next big step which could be a contract signed. I had an experience when I worked in Vietnam last year. ONM advertising company, American company, wanted to be our advertising agency. They sent us their letter and proposal first. After considering, we met. Even we know about them a lot, but I could not trust them completely. We met some times after that for some our projects (That company wanted to give us some ideas to build trust and relationship). We finally signed the advertising contract in few weeks later. So I can say that even if you are not the first one find them, you can not speed to end the negotiation sooner than you want.

American culture is totally different with us. In contrast to Vietnam, everything with American is fast; they take risk because opportunity is very important with them while we are so careful and much consider, and relationship is never more interesting than other achievements which can show their partner’ ability. I understand about that when I came here. Every advertisement on TV is fast and much talk about themselves while we are not and don’t. If you come to us and express much about yourself and ask us contact with you as soon as possible, you might get less truth and fail.

Different culture make people act in not the same way. Each way has both sides, good and bad. However, the people have to find down the way to make them match especially in free trade nowadays. Depending on the situation, each of them has to respect the culture of the other. For instance, if Vietnam company is the host, then American company should understand about Vietnam culture and be patent to get achievement. If opposite, Vietnam people should do the same thing, then both of them will succeed earlier and smoother.

As you can see, Vietnam culture is absolutely different with American’s. This problem is very important to be considered to make different people come to an agreement. Therefore, if you come to my country doing business, you must adjust to fit with us, and the contract will be signed soon, or we have to do the same way if opposite.