1. Start with Clear Expectations and Onboarding

Many performance issues stem from misaligned expectations. Onboard your Vietnamese team members just like you would local hires with clear responsibilities, communication expectations, company values, and tools training.

💡 Pro tip: Record short Loom videos to walk through workflows visually—Vietnamese professionals often learn well with visual and written instruction.

2. Prioritize Written Communication

Vietnamese professionals generally have strong reading and writing skills in English. Lean into written formats to avoid miscommunication, especially with complex instructions. Use tools like Notion, Trello, or ClickUp for project tracking and document recurring processes.

3. Create a Consistent Time Overlap

Aim for 2–4 hours of daily overlap for real-time collaboration and use async-friendly communication outside that window. Most Vietnamese remote workers are open to adjusting their hours, but it’s important to be respectful of their time.

4. Build Trust with 1-on-1 Meetings

Regular one-on-ones help remote Vietnamese employees feel seen, supported, and aligned. Use them to offer feedback, ask for input, unblock issues, and understand their career goals. Trust leads to loyalty.

5. Acknowledge Wins (Even Small Ones)

Recognition goes a long way in Vietnam’s modest, team-oriented culture. A quick Slack message, public shoutout, or small bonus can deeply motivate and retain top talent. Tie praise to your company’s values.

6. Respect Vietnamese Work Culture and Holidays

Understanding and honoring local traditions builds trust. Tết (Lunar New Year) is the most important holiday. Plan around public holidays, encourage time off, and show interest in their culture—it goes a long way.

7. Invest in Skill Growth and Learning

Vietnamese professionals are highly motivated to improve. Companies that offer growth opportunities—like training stipends, mentorship, or clear promotion paths—see better performance and stronger retention.

8. Encourage Proactive Communication

Some Vietnamese team members may hesitate to speak up due to cultural humility. Encourage openness by asking directly for opinions in 1:1s, normalizing mistakes as part of growth, and celebrating those who bring forward ideas or problems early.

9. Use Tools That Support Visibility and Accountability

Great remote teams run on transparency. Using tools like Slack, ClickUp/Asana, Loom, and Notion keeps everyone aligned, regardless of time zone.

10. Lead with Empathy and Consistency

Remote work can feel isolating. Managers who show empathy, set consistent routines, and treat remote team members like full members of the company build stronger, more engaged teams. Assume positive intent and be transparent.