In today’s first lecture, Professor Minh spoke to us about sustainable development. It was interesting to see how the discussion is framed in an entirely different way in Vietnam as opposed to the US. Back at home, climate considerations are a politicized issue and are thus very polarized. Some will vehemently disagree and pose as much resistance as possible out of spite. Others will press relentlessly, sacrificing substantial efficiency for marginal environmental gain. In Vietnam, a more moderate approach is taken. The people and government, who rely extensively on the country’s natural resources, encourage green business with financial incentives and policy, and companies respond by pursuing climate-friendly options in pursuit of profit.  This makes sustainability initiatives in Vietnam seem more graceful and naturally developed, whereas other Western initiatives can seem jarring. As a developing country relatively new to industrialization, Vietnam has a long way to go in creating an ecologically sound economy, but it is steadily making progress towards essential milestones, such as achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.  

Later in the day, we visited FPT Software, the largest software firm in Vietnam. Their working space was more like a complex than an office building. It was notably separated from the urban areas and features large, walkable green spaces with courts for basketball, pickleball, and tennis, as well as areas to relax. The actual building had an almost entirely open-air design, with additional amenities on each floor. Every part of the tour demonstrated their regard for their employees’ well-being alongside efficiency.   

Ultimately, we were given a brief lecture, which was followed by a lengthy Q&A session. A couple of things stood out to me, such as FPT Software’s overwhelming international presence and the differences between working spaces in different countries. For example, employees in Vietnam were significantly less likely to work remotely, even when given the same options as those in other countries. Phil, the company representative, explained that this was a result of Vietnamese culture, where people often feel that they are not doing meaningful work if it’s remote. That could easily explain the emphasis on on-site amenities, which must support a very active and engaged number of employees. 

Another interesting point was their team sizing. Most software companies delegate tasks to teams, but I don’t know many that size their teams as small as FPT Software and can still maintain such high efficiency. Sometimes, as few as two to three individuals under a manager work to complete projects on very short timelines. Clearly, their focus on retention and training is paying dividends in the form of productivity; I think other similar companies ought to take notes.