The working culture between Vietnam and Finland is very different. For example, in Vietnam, customers can agree very fast, but they might change their minds later so nothing is set in stone before all the papers have been signed. Even having signed the contract, we need to be aware that everything can change and be interpreted in different ways. The strategy is to be flexible to figure out varied ways to deal with that. It is advisable to understand the so-called innovative business model in Vietnam, which can help you save your time and money, and you can avoid blunt business. 

Business cultural differences are also reflected in how to organize meetings with Vietnamese authorities, especially in smaller cities. In those regions, people prefer face-to-face meetings, instead of remote meetings. To build trust, they want to discuss with you in person, look you in the eyes, shake your hands. Without those things, your work might not proceed smoothly. 

The last thing I want to share is the difference in organizational structure between Asian and Scandinavian countries. In Europe and Scandinavia, the organization hierarchy is flat and it is difficult to tell who is the boss. Meanwhile, in Asia, the organizational hierarchy  is like a pyramid where decision making is top down, meaning that the leader will make all final decisions. It is essential to know who the leader is. I wonder which model should work more effectively, the Finnish or the Vietnamese style. For example, when we need to make a decision in our company, I prefer discussing it with the team. I want all my team members to contribute to any decision made for our company. However, Vietnamese leaders or managers are expected to be the decision makers without having to get consensus from the staff. This is very important in Vietnamese business culture because it shows your capability as a leader in order to gain the trust from partners.