For Vietnamese people, Japanese companies are a very familiar presence. When they go to the supermarket, they often see Japanese-made products. Because many Japanese firms have also expanded into the country, a fair number of Vietnamese people aim to work for a Japanese company. So which Japanese companies are famous in Vietnam? We also explain the reasons for their popularity.

Famous Japanese Company in Vietnam ①: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

One Japanese company that has long been famous in Vietnam is Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda). In Vietnam, saying “HONDA” is always understood.

Vietnam as a Motorcycle Society

Honda is famous because Vietnam is a motorcycle society. Buses do run, but their schedules tend to be unreliable, so people avoid them. Recently a subway opened in Ho Chi Minh City, but it has not yet opened in other areas. Roads are not fully developed and are filled with exhaust fumes, making cycling a difficult option as well. For that reason, Vietnamese people basically each own a motorcycle and use it even for short trips.

Honda Motorcycles Are an Aspiration for Vietnamese People

Leaving aside domestic and Chinese-made models, Honda motorcycles are by far the most popular in Vietnam. Honda established its Vietnamese subsidiary in 1996 and began factory production the following year. The idea that high-quality motorcycles equal Japanese-made equal Honda is deeply rooted, which is why Honda is popular among Vietnamese people. Cars can only be owned by the wealthy because of high taxes. Toyota is also well known, but only among a limited segment of the population.

Famous Japanese Company in Vietnam ②: AEON Co., Ltd.

A well-known Japanese company in retail is AEON Co., Ltd. The reason is that AEON Mall openings have come one after another around Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City over the past several years.

There Are Currently Six AEON Malls

The AEON Malls currently in Vietnam are two in Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Phu Celadon and Binh Tan), two in Hanoi (Long Bien and Ha Dong), one in Binh Duong Province next to Ho Chi Minh City (Binh Duong Canary), and one in Hai Phong City next to Hanoi (Hai Phong Le Chan). In addition, a Hoang Mai store in Hanoi is being prepared for opening.

Opportunities to Experience “Japan” Have Increased Dramatically

AEON Mall Vietnam locations all boast considerable floor space and house a large number of tenants. As a result, many Vietnamese people work part-time jobs while moving between shops inside AEON Mall. Because many stores carry Japanese food and Japanese products, opportunities to encounter “Japan” have increased even without studying Japanese. You may also meet Vietnamese people who start learning Japanese through a part-time job and aim to work for a Japanese company.

Famous Japanese Company in Vietnam ③: UNIQLO Co., Ltd.

Among Japan’s casual fashion brands, UNIQLO Co., Ltd. enjoys overwhelming name recognition and popularity.

UNIQLO Long Had No Official Stores

One reason UNIQLO is so popular in Vietnam is scarcity. For a long time there were no official stores, and “the real thing” could only be obtained by bringing it back from Japan. Buying UNIQLO products when traveling or on business in Japan became a standard practice for Vietnamese people. Posting about it on Facebook became a status symbol. Even so, opportunities to get the real thing were limited, so large quantities of counterfeits boldly embroidered with the giant UNIQLO logo flooded the market.

UNIQLO Has Finally Begun Expanding into Vietnam

Recently, UNIQLO has begun expanding into Vietnam, and genuine Vietnam-market products are gradually taking hold. Since the first store opened in December 2019, new store openings have continued. On opening day, large numbers of young Vietnamese people flocked to buy authentic UNIQLO products, which also made the news. Amid globalization, UNIQLO has been actively hiring international talent. As a result, more Vietnamese people are aiming to work at UNIQLO.

Famous Japanese Company in Vietnam ④: Shiseido

Because cosmetics and makeup products come into direct contact with the skin, quality is extremely important. Thanks to the high trust placed in Japanese-made goods, Shiseido is also well known.

Shiseido Is an Aspiration for Vietnamese Women

Vietnamese women have a very strong sense of beauty and tend to spend money on cosmetics and makeup. Among cosmetics and makeup sold in Vietnam, Shiseido products fall into the higher-priced category, so not everyone can obtain them. For that reason, Shiseido has become a company Vietnamese women aspire to.

Cosmetics Companies Overall Enjoy High Name Recognition

In Vietnam, Shiseido products are classified as imports. As a result, they cost more than buying them in Japan. For that reason, once you become acquainted with Vietnamese people, you may be asked to purchase Shiseido products when you temporarily return to Japan. Overall, cosmetics companies enjoy high name recognition, and KOSÉ, Kanebo, SK-II, and others are about as well known as Shiseido.

Summary

Landing a job at a major Japanese company is not easy for Vietnamese people. In addition to Japanese language ability, various skills and experience are required. For that reason, a fair number of Vietnamese people aim to advance their careers by working part-time at a local Japanese company or working in Japan as a technical intern trainee.