1. Communication Styles: Bridging the Gap

US Directness vs. Vietnamese Indirectness

• US Norms: Feedback is often candid and solution-focused. Phrases like “Let’s improve this section” are common.
• Vietnamese Adaptation:
  • If unsure, ask clarifying questions: “Could you elaborate on what needs changing?”
  • Practice giving concise updates (e.g., “The task is 80% done, but I need help with X”).

Tips for Success:

• Use “I” statements to express concerns: “I’m concerned about the timeline because…” instead of avoiding the issue.
• Confirm understanding: “Just to confirm, you’d like [X] by [date]?”

2. Work Hours & Time Zone Management

Key Differences:

• US Schedules: Core hours vary by region (e.g., 9 AM–5 PM PST = 11 PM–7 AM Vietnam time).
• Async Workflows: US teams may not expect immediate replies outside overlap hours.

Best Practices:

• Set 2–4 hours of daily overlap for real-time collaboration (e.g., 8–10 AM US CT = 9–11 PM Vietnam).
• Use tools like SavvyCal to share availability and Loom for async video updates.

3. Cultural Norms in US Workplaces

Hierarchy & Decision-Making:

• US teams often have a flatter structure. Junior staff may openly debate ideas with seniors.
• Tip: Don’t hesitate to share opinions in meetings, but frame them as suggestions (e.g., “What if we tried…?”).

Feedback Delivery:

• Constructive criticism is normal. View it as a growth opportunity, not personal judgment.
• Responding: A simple “Thanks for the feedback—I’ll revise this” is appropriate.

Meeting Etiquette:

• Arrive 1–2 minutes early to Zoom calls.
• Use the “raise hand” feature to interject in group discussions.

4. Building Trust & Relationships Remotely

Small Talk Matters:

• US colleagues often start meetings with casual chats (e.g., “How was your weekend?”). Prepare 1–2 fun answers (e.g., hobbies, travel).

Building Rapport:

• Join virtual coffee breaks or team-building activities.
• Share occasional non-work updates in Slack (e.g., a photo of your lunch or pet).

Recognition:

• US managers value proactive updates. Regularly share progress, even if not asked.

5. Navigating Holidays & Time Off

US Expectations:

• Most US companies offer 10–15 vacation days/year. Communicate time off early.
• Major holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving, July 4th) may delay responses.

Vietnamese Holidays:

• Inform your team in advance about Tet or other local holidays.
• Example email: “I’ll be offline from [dates] for Lunar New Year celebrations. I’ll complete [X] before leaving.”

6. Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Saying “Yes” to Unrealistic Deadlines: Instead, say: “I can deliver [X] by [date], but [Y] would require more time.”
• Over-Apologizing: Replace “Sorry for the delay” with “Thank you for your patience.”

7. Language Tips for Professional Settings

Business English Nuances:

• Instead of: “I think maybe we can try this.”
• Use: “I recommend we test this approach because…”

Common Phrases:

• “Let’s circle back next week.” = Let’s revisit this topic later.
• “EOD” = End of Day (US time zone).

8. Resources for Continuous Learning

• Free Courses: Cross-Cultural Communication (Coursera) or Business English for IT Professionals (Udemy).
• Books: The Culture Map by Erin Meyer (explains US vs. Asian work styles).

9. Quotes from Vietnamese Professionals

“At first, I was nervous to speak up in meetings, but my US team appreciated my ideas!”
– Nguyen T., Full-Stack Developer

“Using Loom to explain my code saved hours of back-and-forth emails.”
– Linh D., DevOps Engineer

Checklist for Your First Week

• Confirm your core overlap hours with the team.
• Set up time-tracking/project management tools.
• Schedule 1:1s with your manager and teammates.
• Share a brief intro in Slack (e.g., role, hobbies, favorite food).