Chapter Summary
Vietnam has a long history of colonial domination under China’s control for about 1000 years, followed by French colonization for almost 100 years. In 1954, Vietnam was finally able to gain independence. However, the conflicts in the country were far from ending. The Geneva Accord divided the country into two regions until elections could be held. Friction between these regions and the potential for uniting the country under communist rule led to the Vietnam War, which finally ended in 1975. Today, although united, North and South Vietnam still struggle to maintain harmony. According to Gannon and Pillai (2016), Vietnam has experienced a period of strong and rapid growth in the last decade and the country is learning to embrace …show more content…
During their sovereignty, they not only brought their religion and lifestyles but also industrial growth through changes in administrative systems, transportation and education. However France didn’t improve the lives and economy of the Vietnamese people. On the contrary, farmers for example, became feudal serfs that struggled with the high taxes and rents the French imposed. Furthermore, the French destroyed many Asian structures and built “neoclassical French-styled buildings” (Michele, n.d.). While Vietnam gained independence from France in 1954, the legacy of France is still evident today. According to Michele (n.d.), French influence can be found in the language, religion, and architecture of Vietnam, as well as in the traditions, lifestyle and food. The elite in Vietnam still speak French today and approximately 10% of the population continues to be Catholic. Wealthy Vietnamese drink French wine, eat French food and wear French clothes (Michele, n.d.). Many buildings and houses today reflect French architecture design. Despite the fact that more than half a century has passed since Vietnam was a French colony, France continues to be involved in projects related to education, administration, tourism and agriculture, and is planning for a satellite program and tram transportation systems (Michele, n.d.). In addition, the International French University and the French Culture Centre are located in Hanoi, Vietnam’s …show more content…
Vietnam ranked 112 out of 167 countries in the 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index. As Vietnam looks toward the future, it must balance the duality of socially accepted corruption and the desire for foreign investment. Foreign companies doing business in Vietnam must take an ethnocentric approach by replacing the morals of Vietnam with the host country’s morals (Deresky, 2014).
Cultivating personal and business relationships and connections with government officials and business leaders is crucial for companies operating in Vietnam. Upholding of contracts, speed of the regulatory framework and respect for property rights are based on maintaining personal, business and government relationships (Deresky, 2014 and Gannon & Pillai, 2016).
The country is facing a tug of war between old and new, cultural continuity and change, individualism and collectivism, harmony and conflict, younger and older generations, Confucianism and communism. As the younger generation assumes a greater role in management and has increased interactions with other cultures, a gradual convergence of cultures will occur (Deresky, 2014) improving foreign business interest.
Metaphor
Vietnam has a long history of colonial domination under China’s control for about 1000 years, followed by French colonization for almost 100 years. In 1954, Vietnam was finally able to gain independence. However, the conflicts in the country were far from ending. The Geneva Accord divided the country into two regions until elections could be held. Friction between these regions and the potential for uniting the country under communist rule led to the Vietnam War, which finally ended in 1975. Today, although united, North and South Vietnam still struggle to maintain harmony. According to Gannon and Pillai (2016), Vietnam has experienced a period of strong and rapid growth in the last decade and the country is learning to embrace …show more content…
During their sovereignty, they not only brought their religion and lifestyles but also industrial growth through changes in administrative systems, transportation and education. However France didn’t improve the lives and economy of the Vietnamese people. On the contrary, farmers for example, became feudal serfs that struggled with the high taxes and rents the French imposed. Furthermore, the French destroyed many Asian structures and built “neoclassical French-styled buildings” (Michele, n.d.). While Vietnam gained independence from France in 1954, the legacy of France is still evident today. According to Michele (n.d.), French influence can be found in the language, religion, and architecture of Vietnam, as well as in the traditions, lifestyle and food. The elite in Vietnam still speak French today and approximately 10% of the population continues to be Catholic. Wealthy Vietnamese drink French wine, eat French food and wear French clothes (Michele, n.d.). Many buildings and houses today reflect French architecture design. Despite the fact that more than half a century has passed since Vietnam was a French colony, France continues to be involved in projects related to education, administration, tourism and agriculture, and is planning for a satellite program and tram transportation systems (Michele, n.d.). In addition, the International French University and the French Culture Centre are located in Hanoi, Vietnam’s …show more content…
Vietnam ranked 112 out of 167 countries in the 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index. As Vietnam looks toward the future, it must balance the duality of socially accepted corruption and the desire for foreign investment. Foreign companies doing business in Vietnam must take an ethnocentric approach by replacing the morals of Vietnam with the host country’s morals (Deresky, 2014).
Cultivating personal and business relationships and connections with government officials and business leaders is crucial for companies operating in Vietnam. Upholding of contracts, speed of the regulatory framework and respect for property rights are based on maintaining personal, business and government relationships (Deresky, 2014 and Gannon & Pillai, 2016).
The country is facing a tug of war between old and new, cultural continuity and change, individualism and collectivism, harmony and conflict, younger and older generations, Confucianism and communism. As the younger generation assumes a greater role in management and has increased interactions with other cultures, a gradual convergence of cultures will occur (Deresky, 2014) improving foreign business interest.
Metaphor