Asie

Des conseils pour réussir au Vietnam

TIPS FOR DOING BUSINESS IN VIETNAM

• Learn about the country and location: Vietnam is an attractive country of political and economic development stability in the world. It is important that you conduct research while still in your home country, learn about the country, the marketplace, target companies for contact and identify potential local agent or representatives. As you spread out from all provinces and cities, local officials are often enthusiastic for foreign investment but infrastructure and communications can often be more problematic. Corruption as a standard business practice is a problem in Vietnam as it is in many developing countries.
  
  
•  Learn about the counterparts: There are public and private enterprises, although most of the big companies are state-owned or state-run companies. There are three types of companies: those owned by and operated by the central government (usually large business), those owned and operated by the local people's committees (have lower quality level of management) and privately owned and operated companies (new and generally more active but tend to be patriarchal with centralized decision-making. Also are often very shallowly financed.)
  
  
• Local representative: Connection or introductions for personal contacts are an important part of doing business in Vietnam. A written introduction or a meeting arranged by a go-between will produce the best results. Therefore, finding a reliable and credible local representative is extremely important for the success of your business. Be sure to ask for references and verify the quality and extend of the previous work, as there are many of them haven't got the connections, knowledge or experience claimed.
  
  
• Keep close contact: For any business to be consummated, you should make a long-term commitment and frequent visits to the country. Vietnamese is still a conservative and relation based society, connection over time and face-to-face meetings are critical in building trust and encouraging support. Use your local partner to make frequent visits to monitor any new or ongoing transactions and to build up business relationships.
  
  
• Be patient: Consensus building is the key aspect of decision-making, and the process remains very bureaucratic, with most decisions made by committee. Realize clearly and in advance that your time schedule will probably not be shared. Everything will take much more time than you expect.
  
  
• Other etiquette: Try to learn a few words of the local language. It is also to know something of the history and of recent economic developments. This show to all your interest in the country and its culture and is considered another demonstration of your cultural sensitivity and good breeding.
  

 
More assistance in Vietnam, please do not hesitate to contact our office:
BRUSSELS EXPORT VIETNAM,
C/o Embassy of Belgium
Address: 9th floor, Hanoi Tower, 49 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi, Vietnam
Contact: Mrs. Tran Thi Hien, AEC Vietnam
T + 84 4 934 61 82
F + 84 4 934 61 85
Email: bruhanoi@hn.vnn.vn