In recent years, the number of foreign nationals working in Japan has been rising, and among them Vietnamese talent has become especially popular. Strong motivation to learn Japanese and a generally pro-Japan outlook give many employers confidence when hiring. At the same time, Vietnamese people also bring cultures and values that differ from those of Japanese people. This article explains the benefits of hiring Vietnamese talent and the points you should keep in mind.

What Characteristics Do Vietnamese Talent Have?

Vietnamese people may seem similar in atmosphere to Japanese people, but they also have many characteristics that differ from Japanese people in personality, values, and behavioral patterns.

A Spirit of Mutual Help

One characteristic of Vietnamese people is a spirit of mutual help. Once a relationship of trust is built, they will try to help others in need regardless of money. Many Japanese living in Vietnam have even been helped by Vietnamese people who gave up an entire day when they were in trouble. Japanese people are also said to have a spirit of mutual help, but Vietnamese people may go even further.

Strong Pride

Vietnamese people are friendly and charming, so at first glance they may not seem to have strong pride. However, because of that pride, they are not good at admitting their own mistakes or apologizing. For that reason, even when a clear mistake is made, avoid scolding them in front of everyone. Even if they do not apologize readily, it is important to gradually teach them what that means.

Personality Tendencies Differ by Hometown

Because Vietnam has a long, stretched-out geography, the north has harsh winters while the south has heat that lasts year-round. Northerners, who have been exposed to a harsh climate, tend to be steady and meticulous, while southerners, who do not face seasons of food shortage, tend to be cheerful and optimistic. People from the central region often have a strong drive to get ahead, stemming from aspirations toward urban areas. Therefore, although there are individual differences, preferred types of work tend to vary by hometown.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring Vietnamese Talent?

With many options among international talent, where do the benefits of deliberately hiring Vietnamese people lie?

Skilled at Detailed, Repetitive Work

Vietnamese people will repair home appliances, motorbikes, and other items many times and keep using them even when they break. What makes this possible is artisan-like manual dexterity. As a result, when Vietnamese people are given detailed work, they demonstrate surprising concentration and ability. Once they switch into work mode, they can continue the same task for hours. For that reason, they often make a major contribution on factory production lines.

More English Speakers Than You Might Expect

In Vietnam, many people originally studied Japanese to expand their employment opportunities, but with rising educational enthusiasm, more families are having children learn English from an early age. As a result, especially among younger generations, talent skilled in English communication is increasing. Vietnamese people who speak both Japanese and English are by no means rare. Therefore, even when Japanese proficiency is insufficient, the ability to cover with English is another benefit of Vietnamese talent.

Growth in STEM Talent Is Also Worth Noting

The increase in STEM talent is also worth noting. Today’s students begin serious programming study from elementary or junior high school. The level of STEM education is high, and there is a particular tendency to study mathematics diligently. Many elementary and junior high school students say their dream for the future is to become an IT engineer. The number of Vietnamese talent who excel in STEM fields is expected to grow further.

Points to Watch When Hiring Vietnamese Talent

Because Vietnamese people’s attitudes toward work differ from those of Japanese people, keep the following points in mind when welcoming them into the workplace.

Frequent Wage Negotiations

Vietnamese people tend to prioritize the immediate term, so it is common for them to change jobs as soon as they find a workplace with better conditions. As a result, they tend to negotiate wages actively both at the interview stage and after employment. Be careful that if you readily agree to wage negotiations, demands can keep rising. It is important to hire with clear contract terms and to maintain a stance of not giving in too readily to negotiations.

Easily Influenced by Those Around Them

Vietnamese people have a high ability to adapt to their environment and will relatively quickly become accustomed to life and work in Japan. However, this ability can also become a weakness. Even if they work in a disciplined way in Japan, as soon as they temporarily return home they may be swept up by the more relaxed atmosphere around them and suddenly become sloppy. For that reason, maintaining an environment that has a positive influence on work is also essential when hiring Vietnamese talent.

Assess Japanese Language Ability Carefully

When screening documents for Vietnamese candidates, you will likely check Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) scores and levels (N5 to N1), but it is not appropriate to decide everything based on that alone. Among Vietnamese people there are various cases—some are fluent in conversation simply because they have not taken the test, while others have high scores but can barely speak. Therefore, if a candidate interests you, one option is to first arrange an interview.

Summary

The reasons for hiring Vietnamese talent vary—from filling labor shortages to preparing for future expansion into the Vietnamese market. That said, welcoming Vietnamese people who have different sensibilities and abilities from Japanese people will almost certainly change the atmosphere of the workplace. If you hire in a way that leverages Vietnamese strengths while keeping the points of caution in mind, it should lead to further revitalization of your company.