While many expats arrive in Vietnam excited to explore the diverse landscapes and eat delicious foods, they are pleasantly surprised by diversity and inclusion, especially in the workplace. You may not expect the country to be as welcoming or open to the idea of diversity in the workplace, but Vietnam is quickly becoming a global player in many diverse sectors and fields.Â
With plenty of room to continue growing, we've highlighted how Vietnam fosters innovation, creativity, and employee well-being during its future momentum.
What do diversity and inclusion look like in Vietnam?
In 2023, Vietnam's GDP growth rate was at a solid incline of 5.3% year-over-year in the fiscal third quarter. Many sectors have continued to show areas of development after re-opening borders and welcoming hoards of excited tourists and eager expats. Last year, Vietnam was also acknowledged on a global stage, with 122 organizations receiving the , many of which employ a diverse staff of Vietnamese and expat employees.
In the workforce, one of the main focuses continues to be gender equality, and since 2018 female statistics in the workforce of Vietnam have continued to rise. Every year, Vietnam celebrates International Women's Day twice, in March (8) and in October (20). The country, while traditional in many senses, is working together to provide equal opportunities to all.
Current diversity and inclusion challenges in Vietnam
One of the obvious challenges is the need for more diversity in workplace teams. Vietnam is a majority mono ethnicity country, with a population of 85% Vietnamese, meaning regardless of your nationality, you will feel like a minority entering the country. If you aspire to live somewhere diverse and home to many nationalities, we encourage you to work in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Both of these host the largest population of foreigners and Vietnamese citizens here will be more accustomed to foreign humour or standards.
One of the biggest hurdles for Vietnamese youth is the antiquated and inherently racist Vietnamese beauty standards. Unfortunately, this trickles down to expats with darker skin tones and complexions moving to the country, who may experience ignorance and backlash due to this long-standing cultural bias. The good news is that Vietnam's population is aging, and the younger generation is laser-focused on inclusivity, regardless of color, gender, orientation, or nationality. As a foreigner, you will not experience this to the extent of the Vietnamese indigenous population or Asian citizens with darker complexions but it is something to be mindful of.
Vietnam is learning how to tackle social inequality within its population while its workplaces become more diverse and inclusive. released an interesting report detailing what to expect regarding social changes in Vietnam going forward, with a strong focus on a higher minimum wage and more transparent data provided by companies on infrastructure and employee well-being.
LGBTQ rights in Vietnam
LGBTQ rights are an interesting discussion point in Vietnam. While the population is welcoming to foreigners within this community, local citizens still face prejudice at home or work. Pride month is celebrated in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in September with both cities featuring pride marches and community-tailored initiatives.
If you come from a diverse and multicultural environment, adjusting to Vietnam will be a challenge but worth it. You will quickly see how living in a beautiful country will override anxiety or social challenges. The most important part is to build a sense of community and network. If you feel like you need help finding like-minded people, check out the expat.com forum and find new friends in one click!
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