What are some of the unique aspects of their culture? What are some of the dos and don’ts in the culture? Is it a high-context or low-context culture? How big is the population? What are the prominent ethnic groups? What are the major occupations? What do they do for fun?

QUESTION

Now that you have selected a company. Now it is time to pick a country to enter and research the country. ——Vietnam

The assignment is to write a one-to-two page overview of the country.

There are three parts to this assignment:

First: identify the country you want to enter and why there is a match with your company.—-Tesla

Second: Research the country and provide an overview of some of the country’s cultural dynamics.

Sources to access in this assignment and throughout the course are:

CIA World Factbook

Commisceo Global Guides

IMF Country Reports

In essay form, discuss these areas:

1. What are some of the unique aspects of their culture?
2. What are some of the dos and don’ts in the culture?
3. Is it a high-context or low-context culture?
4. How big is the population?
5. What are the prominent ethnic groups?
6. What are the major occupations?
7. What do they do for fun?
8. What is the demographic distribution for age?
9. What are their birth and immigration rates?
10. What else would be significant about your target country for your target company?

Third: utilize the Hofstede Dimensions of National Culture Country Comparison tool (Links to an external site.) and research the scores for your country for power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation, and indulgence. What do these scores mean for your target country and how will they impact how you interact with the people in your target country.

Provide detail and cite your sources. A one paragraph response will not suffice.

Research and write a 2 page overview diving into the economic, political and legal structure for the country that you have selected for your project. Analyze the challenges to doing business in the country from a political and legal perspective.

Include the details of how you plan to work with the people and the government of the country. Outline some of your strategies for gaining the trust and confidence of the people and government.

In essay form, discuss the following points:

1. What is its governmental structure? Is it politically stable?
2. What is the state of its economics? GDP (gross domestic product)? Inflation? Economic growth? (Assume pre-virus conditions.)
3. What is the percentage of population below poverty line? What is the income disparity? Cost of living? Standard of living? Quality of life?
4. What is their foreign direct investment? What are their major exports and imports? Major natural resources?  Major needs?
5. Is it a free and open society? What kind of restrictions do they put on businesses? Do they protect property rights, contracts, and intellectual property? What is the level of corruption?
6. How is the COVID-19 virus impacting the country? How is the country dealing with the virus?

Cite your sources.

Some sources to use:

Heritage Foundation – Index of Economic Freedom

Doing Business Rankings

CIA World Factbook

Commisceo Global Guides

IMF Country Reports

You will be graded on the depth of the information you find and the depth of your analysis.

ANSWER

**Overview of Vietnam**

**Introduction**

In this overview, we will explore the country of Vietnam as a potential market for Tesla. Vietnam is a Southeast Asian nation known for its rich history, natural beauty, and rapidly growing economy. As an emerging market with a rising middle class and a growing interest in sustainable technology, Vietnam presents a favorable environment for Tesla’s electric vehicles. Let’s delve into the cultural dynamics, demographics, and economic and political aspects of Vietnam to gain a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges for Tesla’s entry into this market.

**Cultural Dynamics**

**Unique Aspects of Culture:** Vietnamese culture is influenced by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, emphasizing respect for authority, family values, and harmony. Hospitality and strong social ties are deeply ingrained, and maintaining face and avoiding confrontation are essential (Vuong et al., 2018). Vietnamese society places great importance on traditions, customs, and hierarchical relationships.

**Dos and Don’ts:** It is important to greet others with a handshake, using both hands to show respect. Removing shoes before entering someone’s home is customary. Avoid discussing sensitive topics such as politics or the Vietnam War. Personal space is smaller compared to Western countries, so maintaining appropriate physical proximity is considered normal.

**Context Culture:** Vietnam is considered a high-context culture. Communication tends to rely on implicit and nonverbal cues, with an emphasis on harmony and indirectness. Understanding and respecting hierarchical relationships are essential for effective business interactions.

**Population and Ethnic Groups:** Vietnam has a population of over 97 million people, making it the 15th most populous country globally. The majority ethnic group is the Kinh, accounting for around 86% of the population. There are also 53 recognized ethnic minorities, including the Tay, Thai, and Hmong, among others.

**Major Occupations:** Vietnam’s economy is diverse, with significant contributions from agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The country is known for its exports of textiles, footwear, electronics, and agricultural products. Key sectors for employment include agriculture, manufacturing, retail, tourism, and technology.

**Leisure Activities:** Vietnamese people enjoy a range of activities for leisure and relaxation. Traditional arts, such as water puppetry and folk music, hold cultural significance. Socializing with friends and family over meals, visiting cafes, playing sports like football, and engaging in outdoor activities are common pastimes.

**Demographics and Birth/Immigration Rates:** Vietnam has a relatively young population, with a median age of around 30 years. Birth rates have been declining in recent years, and immigration rates are relatively low compared to other countries. However, Vietnam has been attracting foreign investment and skilled expatriates, contributing to its economic growth.

**Hofstede Dimensions of National Culture**

To assess Vietnam’s cultural dimensions, we can refer to the Hofstede Dimensions of National Culture. According to Hofstede’s model:

– Power Distance: Vietnam has a relatively high power distance score, indicating a hierarchical society where individuals accept and expect unequal power distribution.

– Individualism: Vietnam scores low in individualism, emphasizing collectivist values and a focus on group harmony and family ties.

– Masculinity: Vietnam is considered a relatively masculine society, valuing assertiveness, ambition, and material success.

– Uncertainty Avoidance: Vietnam has a moderate uncertainty avoidance score, indicating a preference for rules and order but also a degree of flexibility and adaptability.

– Long-Term Orientation: Vietnam scores relatively high on long-term orientation, reflecting a focus on perseverance, thrift, and respect for traditions.

– Indulgence: Vietnam is classified as a relatively indulgent society, where people enjoy life and prioritize leisure and enjoyment.

Understanding these cultural dimensions can guide Tesla in tailoring its marketing, communication, and business strategies to align with Vietnamese values and expectations.

**Conclusion**

Vietnam presents a promising market for Tesla, given its growing economy, emerging middle class, and increasing interest in sustainable technology. With an appreciation for tradition, strong social ties, and a hierarchical society, Tesla should prioritize building relationships, respecting local customs, and adapting its communication style accordingly. By considering the cultural dynamics, demographics, and Hofstede dimensions, Tesla can navigate the unique aspects of Vietnamese culture and effectively engage with the people and government of Vietnam.

References

– CIA World Factbook: [source](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/vietnam/)

– Commisceo Global Guides: [source](https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/vietnam-guide) 

– IMF Country Reports: [source](https://www.imf.org/en/Countries/VNM)

Vuong, Q., Ho, M., Vuong, Q., Nhue, D. V., Bui, Q., Cuong, N. P. K., Vuong, Q., Ho, M., Nguyen, H. T., Nguyen, H. H., Pham, H., & Napier, N. K. (2018). “Cultural additivity” and how the values and norms of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism co-exist, interact, and influence Vietnamese society: A Bayesian analysis of Long-standing Folktales, using R and Stan. Social Science Research Network. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3134541