If one were to describe a typical Vietnamese shopfloor, its disciplined operators and their attention to smallest of the details in the most complicated of the garments, is what catches the eye. Those who visit a Vietnamese factory for the first time are amazed to find that the production floor has only one end-line quality checker and no in-line quality checks that interrupt the process, as is the case in most other production destinations. A little exploration leads one to understand the rich culture of harmonious living behind it all. Anil Mishra, Country Manager, Asmara Vietnam, deconstructs how the Vietnamese culture and social setup institutes discipline, and how an effortless attention to detail at the operator-level is helping Asmara to source more extensively from Vietnam. A manufacturing base is as good or as bad as the people who run the sewing machines and also the attitude of the management. In Vietnam, the basic culture and ethos of the country has been instrumental in making it a fast growing manufacturing base.
Influences from past and present
Owing to the detail-oriented heritage of handwork, paintings, and architecture, the flair at precision and attention by Vietnamese nationals, seems effortless to an outsider. What augments these capacities of the hub is the fact that Vietnam began its apparel manufacturing tryst with outerwear – one of the most complicated garments, since the inception. The extensive experience with the product has groomed the country’s capacities in the finest of the manners imaginable. With a formidable reputation for excellent needle work and churning out flawless jackets with any number of panels, even the most complicated products with highest number of value additions are possible in Vietnam. The finesse of the output is attributed to template making abilities of the hub. One won’t see any helpers doing marking and chalking in the line at Vietnamese factories. Almost all factories in the country have in-house template making. “Vietnam understands the product, do the required IE, make the templates and use it for production runs,” reckons Anil.
“Another factor which works to Vietnam’s advantage is its social and political stability. This stability stems from the socialist set up of the country,” points out Anil. To consider a case in point, the country has only five national holidays (apart from CNY or TET holidays) – one to celebrate the country’s Independence from Americans; second to celebrate the country’s Independence from French; third being King Hùng Day; followed by Labour’s Day; and finally New Year’s Day. “None of the holidays is a political or a religious holiday, although 80 per cent of the population practices Buddhism,” inputs Anil.
Since the nationalist sentiment in the country is the only pertinent one, the people are extremely adaptive in all avenues that promote national growth – through acceptance of diverse cultural and ethical groups and therefore acceptance of expats are given the due credit for bringing in the expertise on managing delivery and quality conformance. The degree of acceptance of expats however is higher in the South Vietnam.
Influences for building the future
The key influencer to the growth is also industry’s literacy rate of 94 per cent, abundance of raw talent, and the millennial generation’s proficiency in the English language. “Because of the young employees, the middle-management is coming out very well. We only need expat energies to act as an engine as the local guys are wonderful learners,” endorses Anil. The common language at the top management however is Vietnamese, which is barely a deterrent, assures Anil.
“Mastering local language is always helpful, but still there are ways to facilitate communication. Besides the fact that I know a little bit of Vietnamese, and that there are colleagues who help, language is only 5 per cent part of the communication and the balance includes gestures, understanding culture and habits,” concludes Anil.
