What We Can Learn from the Hustle and Bustle of Vietnam

Working in a developing country requires, as we know, a lot of flexibility , patience and adaptability . And if you are in an Asian country , with cultural traditions completely different from ours, and in an economic system that for decades has been permeated by a rigid socialist system , one would think that a complete "reset" of our daily professional and personal habits would be in order. I'm surprised to note, reflecting on my ten-year professional experience in Vietnam, that I have met with some success ( I say to myself : I would not still be here, otherwise! ). This is probably due to my ability to reproduce the behavior of my usual professional life in Europe , and especially in Italy - even accentuating it . Briefly, here are my "lessons learned " ! Professional relationships . Combining the ability to establish personal relationships with professional quality is a good rule everywhere: in Vietnam it can be crucial to success . Warning: it is not necessary to become an alcoholic (no grappa-guzzling Alpine mountaineer has the ability to absorb alcohol like Vietnamese businessmen or politicians ) or a glutton, wolfing down huge amounts of food. However, a good degree of flexibility in terms of drinks, food and social activities is desirable. Attitude to work. Anyone entering the center of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon) for the first time has the impression of a busy city , hardworking, always on the move and on the make . In fact, these definitions seem to reflect the characteristics of the Vietnamese : the economic hardships of numerous wars and the socialist economy have probably given them the ability to seek the satisfaction of their basic needs by any means. The fast economic development of the past 15 years has increased this rat race exponentially. To keep up with this dynamism is not simple : I confess that my attitude ( Milanese ? ) toward work has helped me tremendously in managing the local frenzy . Power , speed and strength can be decisive elements to making inroads with our Vietnamese counterparts . You have to remember that while the average age of the political leaders is still quite high ( but never over 65 years!) , In most cases you interact with people in their thirties ( 65% of the population) : dynamism and enthusiasm (in addition to strength ) are therefore crucial ingredients. It is good then to remember that the life of many Vietnamese is still very laborious: those who complain all the time, as I have seen many from the West do , about matters of little importance (especially related to personal dissatisfaction or career ) do not attract the sympathy and esteem of the locals , who at times see us a bit like spoiled children . Rules, laws and contracts. Some argue that an analysis of city traffic can provide valuable information on the inclination of people to follow the rules . Well, basing one's professional life on in Vietnam on rules, laws, and contracts will have the same result as trying to apply a German's strict obedience of traffic regulations to a motorcycle trip in the center of Hanoi: disaster. At any time , you can expect someone driving on the wrong side of the road, running a red light or bursting out of a side street without looking. A good local chauffeur (and similarly , work and business partners linked by personal relationships ) can be key to success. Claudio Dordi , Associate Professor of international law at Bocconi since 2008, has been the team leader of the project MUTRAP (Multilateral trade and investment assistance project) , funded by the European Union and implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam. From 2005 to 2006 he directed a project of the Italian cooperation with the aim of assisting Vietnam's admittance to the World Trade Organization ( WTO)