Business Meeting Etiquette in Vietnam
The Vietnam market offers many great business opportunities, but doing business there is challenging for foreigners, according to the United States Chamber of Commerce. The chamber says the Vietnamese are reluctant to trust people they do not know, and will put newcomers through a seemingly endless string of meetings and presentations before making any decisions. Knowing the right Vietnamese business meeting etiquette is vitally important.
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Introductions
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If possible, you should seek out someone in the country who can introduce you as you try to schedule meetings. The chamber says an introduction by a known business associate, acquaintance or mutual friend could help eliminate possible cultural missteps. The chamber says you should proceed even if you do not have someone to introduce you, but be prepared to explain why you are requesting a meeting and what prompted you to make the contact.
Names
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Always address your Vietnamese contacts as Mr., Mrs., Ms. or Miss followed by their last name. For example, according to the chamber, a Mr. Nguyen Anh Quang would be addressed as Mr. Chang.
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Correspondence
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Written correspondence seeking to build a relationship or gain a meeting should be pleasant but not overly detailed. The chamber recommends that you introduce yourself, your company and your objectives in the Vietnamese market. End your letter with pleasantries and an invitation to continue the dialog. Avoid blunt, direct prose because such abruptness can make Vietnamese executives uncomfortable.
Meetings
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Be prepared to make multiple trips before getting anything done. The chamber says the Vietnamese much prefer face-to-face meetings over telephone calls, letters or email. First meetings are formal and considered introductory. If you are not being introduced by a third party, seek an invitation to meet by sending your request to the top official or manager in the organization, unless you have another contact. Submit an agenda in advance, along with any marketing, promotional or technical information you plan to cover.
Protocol
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Your meeting will begin shortly after you are led into a room. Several Vietnamese, all employees of the company, may be waiting. The top official will allow you to remain in the room and make small talk with the others for some period of time. The top official will eventually come into the room and someone from the organization will formally introduce the principal and you. Once this is done, everyone will exchange business cards. The meeting will then begin as everyone takes a seat.
Attire
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Men should wear a suit and tie. Women should wear a dress or suit. During the hotter months, open collar shirts and slacks can sometimes be worn to informal meetings, according to the chamber.
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References
- Photo Credit north vietnam landscape image by John Hofboer from Fotolia.com
