INTERCULTURAL ASPECTS BETWEEN DOING BUSINESS IN FRANCE AND IN VIETNAM-

With the globalization, the International Trade is expanding. Many companies now deal with foreign companies. To reach your aim, sign a contract, you need to know the intercultural aspects of your client if not you can make some errors that you couldn’t repair and so, lost your negotiation. France–Vietnam relations started as early as the 17th century with the mission of the Jesuit father Alexandre de Rhodes. Various traders would visit Vietnam during the 18th century, until the major involvement of French forces under Pigneau de Béhaine from 1787 to 1789 helped establish the Nguyễn Dynasty. France was heavily involved in Vietnam in the 19th century under the pretext of protecting the work of Catholic missionaries in the country. France progressively carved for itself a huge colony, which would form French Indochina in 1887. France continued to rule Vietnam as a colony until France's defeat in the First Indochina War and the proclamation of Vietnam's independence in 1954. Two-way trade between Viet Nam and France topped 920 million euros (US$1.13 billion) in the first half of this year, a year-on-year increase of 7.3 per cent, according to the Vietnamese Trade Office in France.
Growth in imports amounted to 290 million euros ($358 million), up 26 per cent, while exports were worth 630 million euros ($778 million), up 0.77 per cent.

This presentation will explain you the difference to do business with French Company and Vietnamese company from the company organization to the business culture.

I. COMPANIES ORGANIZATION
A) In France

1 Structure and hierarchy in French companies o There exists a strong, vertical hierarchy in French business culture which respects the Cartesian way of thinking. Working with all levels of the business organization will ensure your success. o In French business culture, the highest individual in authority still tends to be the only one who can make