Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam, the land of paradox!

Vietnam has a long history scarred with both battles against foreign invaders and welcoming foreigners as friends, not foes. It is a country in which socialist ideals co-exist with a capitalist economy; a place in which the young and old are living lives apart; and a home in which its proud people, while still adhering to their ancient ways of thinking, eagerly absorb new ideas from the West on a daily basis.

To understand the complex psyche and the pragmatic approach of the people of Vietnam is to understand their culture.

Let Cultural Detective Vietnam guide you to a deeper understanding of the Vietnamese people.

Cultural Detective Vietnam contains the following stories and critical incidents:

• Negotiation:

  An English team’s strategy for negotiating with a Vietnamese company doesn’t seem to work out.

• Reorganization:

  Mr. Phong smiles, but he doesn’t want the new position.

• Sponsorship, A:

  Some well-intentioned words and actions cause problems for a French company in Việt Nam.

• Office Practice, An:

  Word of a reprimand gets around, and an employee leaves to join a competitor.

• Bad Interview, A:

  An expatriate’s political comments bring a sudden change of topics.

• Beginning of a Joint Venture:

  A Japanese representative in a joint venture questions a Vietnamese assistant’s performance.

• Expatriate, The:

  An Australian executive is frustrated when his Vietnamese staff seem unwilling to approach him.

Cultural Detective Vietnam was authored by Phuong-Mai Nguyen, Seraphine Nguyen-Ngoc and Dianne Hofner Saphiere.